365: Hazards of the Trade

I had about $350 left in my professional development accounts this year and it needed to be spent by the end of the semester or I'd lose it so I decided to invest in some "instructional aids."

Specifically: contraceptives.

Have you ever spent $350 on contraceptives at once? It buys a TON of stuff. I ordered everything through Amazon and since they operate an online space for many smaller sellers I ended up with 16 different dealers sending me things. Dental dams here, condoms and lube there, etc.

Well apparently two things happen when you have stuff shipped to the university. First they open all the packages that come in and check out your stuff. That's kind of bunk but I guess if someone sends me anthrax then it won't be me who gets it. Secondly, apparently you aren't supposed to get "personal stuff" shipped to you at work.

I'm sure you can guess what happened next.

When I went into the office this morning out Department Administrative Assistant was cracking up. Apparently someone in shipping had been frantically trying to get a hold of me all day Friday (I worked from home on Friday) because he was worried about the massive orders of contraceptives I was getting. He finally called Marie up and was trying to get the story out delicately to her without busting me or embarrassing himself or her. The best part is that Marie immediately knew what he was trying to get to but instead of bailing him out she let him spit out the whole story before she explained that I'm the sex professor and none of that stuff was "personal" but was for instructional purposes. She thought it was the most hilarious thing ever. I did too. I'm still waiting on more packages so let's see how embarrassed I can make them before it's all said and done!

All I can say is that it's a good thing I didn't have more money because sex toys were next on my list.

365: Motivation

22 days until we leave for Africa.

SO MUCH WORK TO DO BEFORE THEN!

Luckily it was a gorgeous day and I pulled the hammock out of hibernation so I could enjoy the day, spend time with my babe AND get work done. Not too shabby!

365: All in a Day's Work

Today I walked into the HCSV office to find Ms. Tina here manhandling Bubba. Who's Bubba? He's our Department Mascot. He has a torso, head and arms--they just were waiting in the wagon until Bubba's body got put back on his stand. Bubba dresses up in all sorts or gear all year round. He's got a graduation outfit (that he's wearing now), a Santa Suit for Christmas, some casual Wildcat gear for non-holiday/celebration time. And of course he has his g-string. Since he gets moved around so much and is always changing clothes someone thought it would be a good idea if we didn't let him hang in the breeze all the time. And obvs a g-string is the best choice. The things you have to deal with if you are housed in our department! (And I'm talking about both Bubba and Tina)

365: My Life is Hilariously Awesome

How many of you have ever had the words anal intercourse appear in your performance/job review (and been ok with it :))? My job is amazing and I'm so happy to be here. For reasons other than anal intercourse, but that's just the cherry on top.

365: So Bourgeoisie

One of the perks of finally arriving in my career and making good money is the ability to have someone else prep and file my taxes. We're generally low maintenance, do-it-yourself kind of girls, but this year, with all the complicated factors of moving, domestic partnership, two different states, etc. etc. I knew I couldn't handle this whole thing and wouldn't be sure I was even doing it right and maximizing our return. So we hired a CPA to do it all for us. I was feeling super weird about it until we picked up our taxes today. All we had to do was sign six forms (5 tax forms and a CHECK for the accountant naturally) and we were done. He is e-filing our joint CA return and our separate federal return (because that whole separate BUT TOTALLY EQUAL thing re: gay marriage) and they had the Indiana returns all packaged up and labeled and ready to be dropped in the mail. It was like the angels were singing down from heaven. Totally worth the money we paid just for that alone, but on top of it we got some great money back for the first time in forever. The only thing we owed was $3 on Ange's Indiana return (which is ridic, but whatever, we'll take it). I can get used to this.

365: Turning the Frown Upside Down!

I've been trying to do my best lately in NOT being Debby Downer and to acknowledge, but not dwell, on shitty moments. It's working out well. Whether it's instant karmic retribution or just the fact that I'm not wallowing in misery so it opens me up to joy I don't know, but I like it.

I went to a FANTASTIC "Love Every Body Week" lecture by Marilyn Wann and as I bounced out of the building I happened upon this moment. Two college students siting in a canoe promoting their adventure club whilst deafening African drumming and happy African dancing was going on in the background. So lesson of the day: move past the crap so you can dance to the music!

365: BAMF Milestone

See that purty little binder there in the center of the picture? It's my first year dossier for my review. My review is more of a formality but I still took it very seriously. So glad to have it all done and organized. Onward to year 2 bitches.

365: Working It

My big teaching goal this semester was to amp up my community health class. At the end of last semester my students told me my lectures were boring and they never read the book because they felt I told them all they needed to know. Not this semester. Lots of activities, lots more moving around and doing things and less explaining what's in the book. Today they had to go out and guerrilla interview people. Which left me with a big, empty classroom. Ahhh, the quiet. For 30 minutes anyway.

365: Little Poster Girl

Ange made her first academic poster this week! She figured it all out by herself and did a great job! Proud of my budding little geographer! Love you boogie bear!

365: Giggles

You want to know the best part about working your booty off, earning a PhD, and finding a kick ass job?

(Besides, of course, inspiring young minds, changing people's lives, and all that jazz.)

Not having to wear anything but pjs for days on end! I've only left the house twice in the past week.

But don't let that fool you -- I haven't just been laying around eating bonbons. I've actually worked my booty off. I just get to do it in a robe and slippers!

365: And Costumes!!!

My community health students are doing their end of the semester group presentations. One of today's groups was doing environmental health issues and their priority focus was pesticide related health. To my immense surprise and joy they came prepared in full safety gear and did their presentation dressed just like this. They had so much enthusiasm and were very knowledgeable about their topic. I just love them. It was the perfect way to head into Thanksgiving break!

365: Grading

It's that time of the year where I start to have a lot of grading to do. I have all of my big "term papers" due in my classes, plus regular assignments and class activities. With 145 students and no TA it's a lot to do. I decided I'm going to have to crack down between now and the end of Thanksgiving break to get all caught up. Then I'll just have a few things to do before the end of the term. It's time to get in the zone peeps!

365: New Perspective

Now that we've "fallen back" it gets dark dramatically early. As in I took this picture after leaving my class at 5:15 pm. It's kind of weird. I teach during the day and am usually home way before dark so I've never seen campus at dusk. It's pretty. Not that this is shocking. Our campus is pretty darn gorgeous in general.

365: Friday Afternoon on Campus

 

Some kids having an impromptu jam session in the plaza whilst two boys rock out with a hacky sack. Typical California day. 

365: Oof!

I finally made it through the week thereby showing this cold who's BOSS. I wrapped up my last class for the week feeling accomplished and when I arrived at Butte Hall I discovered the elevators were not working. Suck. Now I can admit that I'm never going to be excited about climbing up five flights of stairs to get to my office high above the ground floor, but having a cold that is already making me feel like I can't breathe in addition to the fact that our staircases are actually outside of the building and it was in the mid 90's today was the topping on the cake for this. I slowly and surely made my way up to my office thankful that I was DONE teaching and not on my way to doing so. At least I got to go home shortly after so I didn't have to look like a tired sweaty mess on top of it all!

365: Freebie!

I walked into work today and one of our secretaries offered me a free mini-fridge for my office! Sweet! Way to score something good on my first official day!