cheap laptop

I was scoping out the Medison Celebrity laptop that was shipping out from Sweden this week (after a two-week delay). It was only $150 so who wouldn't have submitted an order? I mean, the company has a legitimate-looking website and all the info about the computer seems logical and real so, I went ahead along with thousands of others and ordered my laptop with all the excitement a $150 laptop brings.

During the past 4-6 weeks, I started seeing blogs that said things like, " is Medison laptop real or a scam?" and "$150 laptop may not be what it seems," etc. That made me uneasy. If the 'experts' are questioning it, then maybe ... just maybe it's not a good thing and it really IS "too good to be true."

I'm a pessimist and sceptical by nature but I kept up hope ... until today. Today, I wrote and cancelled my order, which the shipping company gladly did. I'm not sure if 2Checkout.com is reputable -- it seems they are. I think they've probably been hoodwinked as we have been. I'm just glad that nothing got charged to my credit card and that no money was lost. At least 2Checkout.com was faithful in that and I appreciate it.

Of course this leaves me, a low-income college student, without a laptop. Oh well -- it was exciting...at least for a moment. :-/

music things

Just when I think I've got it all taken care of, there's one more thing I forgot to do!

I've yet to sign up for the chorale audition where I have to sing My Country Tis of Thee and sight read a couple things.  I know it's for placement, but golly gee whiz people! Enough with auditioning! Some people love it, but I hate it with a passion. Yes, it's that strong! Don't know why -- just think it's superfluous. I mean, you auditioned once already to get IN to the School of Music, shouldn't they have taken enough notes on what part they think one should sing/be placed in? Why do it over again? Just my feelings....

On top of that, they still haven't posted who is going to be teaching individual voice lessons. I checked on Wednesday and it wasn't there. Classes start next Tues. and I'm beginning to wonder what happens in that office. Granted the main admin. is on a family leave which leaves me to believe that a lot falls through the cracks when she is gone. It's nice that she is good, but it's horrible for students because the faculty depends so much on her that they can't get their act together.

Enough of my "I like to do things ahead of time and not end up looking stupid because someone in admissions dropped the ball" rant.

onward and upward we of English decent say.....

stuff

I'm trying to get my act together! I think I may have goofed up on the tax information/forms yesterday when I was meeting with the head of the theatre/music work study dept. UGH! I wasn't sure and did what I thought was best at the time. This is new to me, owning a house and I have a sinking feeling I messed it all up. I suppose (trying to look on the bright side) that if I DID do something wrong, I can go back and adjust it by filling out a corrected form, etc. The IRS seems to like forms, so I guess it isn't a huge issue.

But....I have to dash around town again today to find books!!! I thought I was able to get most of them via amazon.com, but they don't have them in stock and I can't wait until October to get them. UGH! UGH! UGH!

Today, my sister will stop in, we'll go get her registered for her classes and get her books THEN go hunt mine down! I can only hope, with the rest of my fellow music majors, that the Theory books have FINALLY arrived and waiting to be purchased!

Now to get down to return the wrong set I was sold yesterday....sigh...

books

I've been around town (literally) trying to get my books for school. I'm starting to worry about my Theory class because the books are STILL not on the shelves and that class starts a week from today!!

I'm sure the other students in the same class are feeling the same way, but it is small consolation. I tend to like things in time to review, even if it's one day before class starts. Oh well, at least we'll all have a good excuse for not doing some pre-work, if some is required. Too bad the math book was ready and waiting AND in abundance...sigh!

I'll have to take back one set because, even though the girl assured me it was the correct one, I have serious doubts since neither one of the on-campus bookstores has them in. So, how could THEY, right? hmmmmm....there's more to this than I thought there would be, that's for sure.

On a brighter note -- I sat down with my work study 'boss' and she wants me to be in a manager position. She says that my work/life experience is what she needs in that position which means that I'll jump a few steps that freshmen usually have to go through. Hope there's no animosity there -- after all, I'm an 'old fart' and they have nothing to worry about. I'm organized and know how to 'work a room' so I don't feel sorry for jumping up a bit at first.

Now, to remember that God is in control and the parts I'm unsure of (like those blasted IRS forms that always scare me!!!) will someone fall into place.

Going back to school...after 20+ yrs.

I'm terrified at the prospect of going back to school after so many years. I'm not even sure why I'm pursuing it. I want my music degree because I believe that is where my talent/gift/passion lies. I believe I've made a difference in the lives of many people, but mostly my own, with my voice...singing.

I feel that I'm supposed to do this because of that talent/gift/passion. I don't know if I'll do well at all. The academics scare me. I have to take a math course that involves a lot of algebra. I barely passed that in high school, what makes me think I'll be able to do it now? Oh! It's scary.

I believe that this is what I'm supposed to do, though. Everything has fallen into place. God has provided EVERYthing and there is no reason not to go ahead with it. No reason at all.

The acceptance is there.
The money is there.
The work study opportunity is there (and better than I thought it would be, frankly).

So, what's the problem?

I'm scared. I'm scared that I won't do a good job. That somehow, my talent/gift/passion is, or won't be enough. Maybe it isn't...but, then....maybe it is! There's only one way to find out.

...I'm going to start school at the University of Southern Maine School of Music September 4th, 2007.

Changes

This blog will probably become a vehicle of daily journaling. I haven't written much in the way of short stories or poems of late and now that school is starting, I figured I'd write about my journey of going back to school to get my degree in music after 22 years of not being in a class environment.

I'm looking forward to it, but am a little scared at the same time. I'm hoping that I do well and that I end up being a better student because of it.

until later....