The holidays are almost here and there is such an excitement in the air! I can feel it and I am very happy! No more Ms. Scrooge as in past years. No more dreading the holidays and anxious for them to be over.
I cannot wait for them to get here! Who am I? I am the new me! One who is happy with herself and where she is in her life now.
One who for the first time ever is having family to her house for Thanksgiving.
One who is finally getting the beach Christmas she always wanted.

Yes life is good.

Things have finally slowed down -- a bit -- to a less than hectic pace! I finally got registered last week and I am satisfied with my class selection. All in my major an NO MORE BIOLOGY!! It is hard to believe the semester is almost over. It is hitting those of us who have gotten close and it is like the end of a school year when you sign your yearbooks and promise to 'stay in touch'.

These kids are making their way into my heart and enriching my world in a way I never thought possible. It gives me hope for the future of our country as well. I think it is in great hands because their generation is insightful, edgy but still with that sense of tradition that our generation gives them.

The film festival is in town this weekend. I plan to take full advantage of that in spite of remnants of a nasty storm Ida. We have had torrential downpours all week. I also plan a trip to a store in search of rubber boots. A much needed necessity in the flatlands. Quite a bit of flooding here when it rains a lot! I have to be better prepared! No more sloshing around campus for me!!

I'm looking forward to each day more and more. My house sale closes on the 20th and hey, today is payday. Wow, I wonder what today has in store for me?!

It is getting chilly here at the beach but that just makes it more glorious. For just when I put on a light jacket -- that's all I need -- I smile because I know the ocean is just a few miles away!

Things have been hectic with Writers' Week just ending a the Film Festival just beginning. It is an exciting time to be living in Wilmington. I can remember years past when I would read about these events in the Observer and would longingly wish I could attend. Now I can!

I thoroughly enjoyed Writers' Week. I went to three visiting writers and attended two lecture panels. The readings were wonderful and I couldn't help but daydream a little and imagine myself up there one day as a successful author inspiring young students with my talent!!

I realize almost every day how much I love it down here. Something will happen during a day or I will see something and it will remind me how wonderful it is and how lucky I am to be here. Every day I wake up anxious to see what the day is going to bring me. It has been a long time since I have felt this way.

Welcome back old me:)

It's our first Halloween here in Wilmington and boy do they sure go all out!!

All the stores are decked in their ghoulish decorations and all the store clerks greet everyone with a cheery "Happy Halloween!" I had no idea it was such a big deal. Since my kids have grown up, I'm the one in the neighborhood that turned off the lights but longingly missed seeing all the cute costumes and wished I still had my kids' stash of leftover candy to sneak into.

All that changes tonight. We are going downtown and check out all the many sordid and creative costumes and do a lot of people watching. It should be interesting to say the least.

Just another reason I'm glad I moved here. Now I won't have to sit at home in the dark missing out on all the fun!

This is going to be a big week school-wise. I have 3 mid-term tests and I hope I am ready. I have been studying all weekend but I still feel like I have many hours more to do!!

It is hard to believe it is almost November. Arielle and I went to the local mall and looked for beach-themed Christmas ornaments!! I am definitely having a non-traditional tree this year! I've already gotten the Christmas cards taken care of now it's on to the tree.

The weather is beautiful and it is hard to think about winter which is ok by me. It was in the low 80s last week. The nights are in the 40s but feel so crisp.

Lisa is coming this weekend which should be fun. It will be nice to have some fun. Hopefully, after a successful week of good testing, I can relax and treat myself.

I had a wonderful evening last night up at Topsail Beach with my cousin Robert and his wife Rocky. They and their two friends from 'up North a ways' had come for a week for their annual fall beach trip.

It was so nice to see family and unwind. Their beautiful beachfront home made me realize how lucky I was that the ocean is just a few minutes down the road! I told them I was living a dream come true. My vaca is every day, even though I am in the middle of exams and don't get to look at the ocean every day. I know it is just down the road.

When we were first looking for a place to live in the early spring months, we saw a billboard that said "a million miles away is just down the road". Living at the beach seemed a million miles away at one time in my life. The possibility was, well, an impossibility.

But now, it's just down the road.

Don't give up on your dream. You never know. It just might be right down the road!

It has been a whirlwind of a couple of weeks! This job I have in the Financial Aid office is probably more than I can handle! The time it is taking out of my studying time is crucial and I am really running in circles trying to keep up.

I went last night to advising for next semester's schedule. It looks like I'll be taking 18 semester hours so that definitely will rule out me working. The good news is it will be all in Creative Writing. No more Biology or German!

We have had a couple of chilly evenings here and everyone around is saying it usually don't get this cold until December. I hope it will warm back up because I'm really not wanting it to be cold just yet! I need to go see the ocean again. It has almost been 2 weeks! My mind is in a muddle. I need to clear it out and the ocean is the perfect place to do that.

For now, I must get back to my homeowork. Mid-terms in two classes are coming up and poems to read. Not to mention a very lengthy story by a German writer that is very difficult to follow.

I need to get new glasses...

I knew at some point the semester would get crazy and my posting time would falter. Well, that time is here!

I started my work-study position in the financial aid office this week along with classes really piling on the work. Running on empty, I'm glad it is finally Friday!!

Have a big German test today. I don't know if I am ready or not. I have studied but we shall see. Her tests are very trying. They are not typical. She stands in front of the class and reads of each question, in German, with not much time in between. Inevitably, we all end up asking her to repeat the questions, which makes her angry but she speaks so fast it is impossible to catch it all!!

Oh, well. I will survive.

More importantly, I have my first essay due next Friday on a German writer from the 1800s named Heinrich Kleist. I'm a little nervous about my first paper. This teacher is pretty liberal about format so that won't be a problem. The last time I did a paper was on a typewriter so this will be a big change for me.

I will be getting the place cleaned up for my Writer's Salon on Monday night. I hope I get some folks to come. These young kids are so non-committal it is funny. I believe it will be a fun night so will see what happens. I know I will enjoy being their host.

And the weather is beautiful so I def will get down to the ocean for some relaxation. I can't let a week go by without seeing it. It nourishes me and energizes me and I believe I will need it after this week!

Beautiful sunrise again this morning and I know this will be another beautiful carolina coastal day!!

Today I will hear what my colleagues (?) think of my poem. I am anxious to hear their comments and criticisms. I value their opinions even though they are looking at it through much younger eyes. I still think they all have something valid to add.

Good news to report. I just was hired as a work study in the financial aid office. That means that I will work 10 hours a week until the budgeted amount runs out. This program is run by the Federal Government. I qualified for $634 a semester -- woo-hoo!! -- and once I use up those funds, I have to stop working. They also have been approved for funds for the summer as long as I apply for summer school which I already had planned to do. My secret plan is that I will be such a good little worker bee, that they just cannot do without me and will find more funds to keep me!! I knew all those baked goodies I had been bringing over to my financial aid angel would pay off.

The lady that 'interviewed' me almost apologetically said some of the work is menial. I said 'are you kidding?' I am just so glad to be contributing. I will be working with students and their parents eventually. I have always wanted to work on a college campus. Just another dream coming to fruition.

Hannah and James are coming for a visit this weekend. Maybe we will be looking at bridal gowns?? Just having them here and doing nothing would be fine by me. I really miss my oldest. It will be nice having her for a couple of days.

German quiz today. Hope I fare better than last week. I am a bit more prepared. Our break is on Monday and Tuesday but I start work those days so no class but work instead. No worries. I have had many days off in the past few years. It is time to get busy with something new!!

Guten Tag!

Another beautiful sunrise this morning which I know will mean another lovely day here!

Today, I submit my first poem in workshop. It is titled 'Southern Charms' and was inspired by the beautiful campus where I attend. I was walking around the grounds those first few days and was feeling so happy to be there and emotional from just how I got there, that the inspiration just came. I hope those young students can appreciate how someone could love a campus so much!!

The kids seem a bit wary of my proposal to do a writer's group. I think the best way to approach it is to have the first one and let the few that come talk about it be the ones to intrigue them.

Once they get to know me, they'll learn I'm almost harmless :)

German quiz today and a new novella in German lit, Oh Boy.

Life really is good.

Well, it's off to Biology today and the beginning of a set of lecture on Evolution. Of course, all universities adhere to the scientists' vision of Darwin's findings on the "Origin of the Species". I really don't see what all the big fuss is about. I personally believe God created all things and however we evolved to get to the way we are now is of no importance to me. I find it interesting to study these things but it doesn't offend me nor does it offend my faith. I keep the two separate.

The teacher said at the first of the semester she would be teaching evolution so if anyone had a problem with that they should take something else! Yesterday in poetry class, the teacher referred to the Old Testament as 'biblical mythology'. This was just after a student had showed me his favorite verse in Psalms in his Bible he brought from home! To each his own. Those impressionable young minds and egos will no doubt be influenced but hopefully, they can make their minds up on their own.

It is kind of a dreary day here on the coast.



The coast.



I love that I'm able to write that. That means I'm here. Actually living on the coast. Not dreaming to one day be here. Not trying to figure out how I could somehow come up with the funds to take a short vaca to the beach. I could hop in my car and literally be sitting on the beach in ten minutes!!! I have to pinch myself at least once a week.



Today I have woken up early and begun cleaning. Just general getting the cobwebs out. With a new place, there isn't much to do. I plan to get out and go to see my friend who owns the toy store and inquire about working for the pre-holiday season. Maybe just weekends. We shall see. I know she needs help and she has offered before.



I have also posted an email to the student roster for the poetry class to start a writer's salon. I offered to host at my house. So far I have gotten modest response but I did send on a Friday afternoon and I'm sure these young college kids won't check their emails til late Sunday night or possibly Monday morning. We shall see. I think it could be fun



Then I'm going to do a little baking and then catch 'Inglorious Basterds'. My German professor recommended it because there was quite a bit of German in it.



So I have a full two days ahead of me. Not to mention homework to cram in there!



Enjoy your weekend! Wherever you are!!

Well, I did just horribly on the Biology exam. I was in a large group because most everyone in the class had about the same score as I did -- 66!! I was just crushed. I had really studied diligently. At lab last night everyone was moaning about it and talking about how they studied 'so hard'. I said 'you too', until I found out their studying hard meant cramming all night the night before was the only studying they had done!! I bet if those kids had put in a little more effort, they would have made higher scores.

My grade hasn't yet posted the extra credit points, which will add 5+ to the grade. I feel sure I will get them. Of course I thought I was going to make an 80 on the exam too! I did score well on my lab quiz though and that is getting better and more fun. It is still a struggle to understand at times but I'm not getting as stressed as I was. Gotta keep that blood pressure down :)

Now on the other hand, I'm doing great in my Creative Writing courses. At least in my major, I am excelling, which is good to know. Next week I will get to 'workshop' one of my poems. That is when you let the entire class critique your work. I'm looking forward to it. The one I have chosen for submission is titled 'Southern Charms' and describes the campus and how it makes me feel. Some of the ones we have heard so far have been dark and very painful. If I was in my early 20s, I would probably be writing that kind of poem too. Mine seems light and almost fluff so I hope they will take it seriously!

I am glad it is Friday. The weeks fly by sometimes and I have to stop and think what day it is. Both 'roomies' are going back to Mooresville this weekend and I will be all by my lonesome. I will probably do a little housework, go down to the beach and a lot of reading.

My kind of weekend!

Today I tanked the German quiz but the Biology test I feel I did ok. Maybe a 'B' if I'm lucky. Considering the professor said that no one ever made higher than a 69, I think that is ok. But then again I could be wrong about my grade. I will find out tomorrow.

I am thinking about starting a writer's salon. Hosting a group outside of campus for creative types to be able to brainstorm ideas for stories, poems songs, you name it. I mentioned to several students in my poetry class and they seemed pretty interested. I cleared it with the department head so I will email everyone and see what happens. Plus I mentioned the fact I will bake goodies. That is probably what they will REALLY be coming for:)

I'm making more and more friends on campus. These young kids are accepting me as one of their own. I appreciate that more than they could know.

I am going down for a nap before I have to study for Bio lab and more German!!

Monday. Back to the grind. But I am not unhappy. I am excited that a new week has begun. I can't wait to get back to campus and see what will unfold this week. I also cannot wait to get this Biology exam over with! I spent over 3 hours yesterday in the library studying with a study partner. It was helpful but we both agreed it is just so much information to go over. We are allowed to make a cheat sheet to bring with us to the exam. I have started on that as well as the extra credit questions. Of the ones I could understand -- which were only 5 out of 20! -- I will do those today and hopefully, at least pass the exam.

I also drove up to Topsail Beach yesterday for lunch. A student in my poetry class works there and told me about the restaurant. The Smokehouse is a rustic BBQ place that lived up to its name. Plus, the scenic drive provided many reasons to visit the area again when there is more time!

For now, I must go and get back to my reading of 'Mademoiselle de Scudery'. Another of E.T.A. Hoffman's novellas. If it is anything like his other works, someone will die another will have heartbreak. Stay tuned.

Yesterday on the beach was wonderful. And interesting.

Four young surfers brought a young man who was obviously paralyzed and in a wheelchair out on the sand right beside us. They proceeded to don wetsuits and then carry the young guy in the wheelchair down to the water's edge. Once there, they gingerly plucked him out of the wheelchair and laid him on his stomach, on the unusually long surfboard. They then paddled him out in the surf. Now the paraplegic was not strapped on but he was wearing a life jacket or vest I guess it is called. Once out beyond the waves, the smallest of the four, crouched behind the man on the board and helped steer where they needed to be. The surf was fairly rough yesterday so they were able to get some pretty good waves. The disabled man was up on his forearms the entire time along for the ride! They were out for about 30 minutes before coming in. I gave him a 'great job!' when they wheeled past and he said he was worn out. He looked overjoyed and proud. People were coming over saying how brave he was.

I really wanted to find out more about his situation. Why he was in the wheelchair. Were these students and this a special organization. Arielle wouldn't allow me to go and be inquisitive. She said it would embarass him. I wouldn't have asked him but there was a gentleman who seemed to be in charge of things.

Oh, well. It was an exhilarating experience to watch. Anytime I see someone in a wheelchair, I immediately take pause. I know what it feels like. Instead of avoiding them, I want to engage them. I know he welcomed the congratulatory responses.

So to that young man who banished his fears yesterday in the ocean, well done my man! You made a lot of people proud yesterday. A lot of people that could stand on their own two feet.

WOO-HOO! I scored a 92 on my German test which is an A or 'sehr gut'! So that is still an A average in German to date. Hopefully my study session on Sunday for Biology exam will help get me a good grade for that one. I don't know what to aim for but what the hell, I always did have to high of an expectation. I'll aim for an A anyway!

The morning is looking expecially gorgeous. Especially beach-worthy. I cannot wait to see the ocean. I need to write a poem or two so I will take pen and paper along with a book. We shall see what happens.

My zinnias out front have finally called it quits. I will replant with some pansies before the day is done. Fall is coming says the calendar but you can't feel that here.

Wow I'm so happy to be here. Pinch me or not. If I'm dreaming, I sure don't want to awaken.

TGIF!!!

Oh, how I hope the weather is good enough to spend the day at the beach tomorrow! I think it will be. A has her first Saturday off since she has been here I believe and we plan to be there most of the day.

Sunday I will be at the library all day with my Biology study buddies preparing for Tuesday's big exam. We can bring a 'cheat sheet' which is one page, front only, handwritten, not typed. This can have notes pertaining to all we've been through to date that the test may have on it that we can refer to during the test. She will take up the cheat sheets along with the tests as well. She also posted extra credit questions to do and hand it along with the tests. Out of the 20 she will accept 5 if they are correct. They won't count against us if they are wrong. Oh, my goodness, it looks like greek to me! I don't know if I will be doing any extra credit. I asked my lab partner last night if he had done the extra credit and he glibly said he wasn't going to do them. He was just going to read all the lecture notes and just do the test!! Well good luck Mr. Smarty Pants!! By the look of the sample test she sent us, I think we all should do the extra credit.

Anyway, I feel good. It is Friday. We get our German test results. We start workshop in Poetry. We are getting into some Freudian Literature in German Lit and life is good!

Happy Friday to everyone!

Hallelujah the German test is over!!! I think I actually did very well. The classes are getting more demanding and tests are getting harder. But I am still having a ball.

I had to go back to the infirmary for a blood pressure re-check. How many students do they see for that I wonder? Anyway I saw the same doctor which I feel we had a great connection. I told her about the mixup and confusion I had had with the immunization waiver -- which they still were trying to clear up. Another one of my new friends, who is a young Marine wife, was unnecessarily harassed since she had already sent in her shot records, was very upset about being dropped. She wanted to file a grievance about the way things were handled. I told the doctor about this to her horror she apologized and said they had had problems with their staff they were trying to rectify. I said this young student's husband is deployed and her mother lived in Connecticut and I felt so bad for her so I became a mother figure for her consoling her. The doctor told me I had been placed here for a reason. Well, of course I had I thought. Immediately I thought, for me! But then I realized she meant for the kids. I think some of these youngsters do look to me as a mother figure. I forget they are miles away from theirs.

At my heart I will always be a Mom first. Then a student.

But I sure am loving being a student.

The sunrise has been beautiful this morning so I am taking a break from German studieren and blogging for a minute!

My cold/flu bug is much better though my fatigue level is still low. I worked all weekend on German flash cards for extra credit and catching up on my sleep! Yesterday was tough getting back in the swing of things. Especially with all the homework they piled on us. I have a German test on Wednesday and a mid-term exam in Biology next week. Those are my two most challenging classes because they don't come as naturally to me as the creative writing.

Also, on Wednesday morning before my test, I have to go through another mediation with the Department of Agriculture over my mortgage. They still want to foreclose and I want to get an extension. I cannot believe my little house has not sold yet. Hell, I'm practically giving it away at $75,000!!! Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I'm up to my eyeballs in homework but I am loving every minute of it. Hours go by before I realize it. I don't even watch television anymore! I'm making more friends and feeling like this is really my home.

Home.

That's a great word.

The weekend has flown by.

I have done homework all weekend since I had such a week tending to doctors and Medicare all week.

I failed my German test miserable as did most of the class so she let us take the test home to make it right !! I was so elated that we had another chance. I was so sick that day that she must have noticed. She asked me Friday if I felt better. I told her in my broken German sehr Gut! Especially since I could do the test over! I am also making flash cards for extra credit in her class. I will need all the extra credit in that class I can get.

Friday was really a good day to a bad week. I resolved my prescription dilemma and vacinnation dilemma. Things are going back to normal.

Thursday evening's lecture that included Clyde Edgerton was very enjoyable. Clyde, in his mid-60s is going through fatherhood again. He has 3 young children, ages 2,4 and 6!! He and his wife agreed a vasectomy was in order. The book was an anthology on fatherhood and his essay was a how-to guide per-se with an epilogue for father's eyes only. He proceeded to read the hilarious section which was about how he had to shave his scrotum for his pre-op vasectomy procedure.

Needless to say, it was a kneeslapper. I cannot wait to have him as a professor. I will never look at him in the same way again!!

I can tell the professors were being gentle on us the first month for now they are throwing the work at us. I am glad because I do much better under pressure. I do hope I get to the beach before the sun goes down tonight!

TGIF!!

Evcn though I'll be doing homework all weekend, it is still nice not to be on a schedule. And, I hope to get out to the beach as well. It has been rainy and I am starting to feel better so with the weather report saying sunny all weekend, beach I am there!

The lecture last night on Dads was great. We are so fortunate to have such talented writers on our staff here. I was able to get the book and snag the writers as they were exiting the room for autographs. They penned it to my Dad and I called him to tell him all about it.

He flew to DC on Wednesday to visit the WWII memorial with other veterans on a special flight arranged especially for the veterans. I could hear the glee in his voice as he told me of all the details. I am so thankful that he got to go on this journey. He told of some men being in wheelchairs and using walkers and canes. Not my Dad! He is still in great shape. He can still get in his old uniform I believe! They let him go in the cockpit on the flight up. He made note that the co-pilot was a female!

On this day, 9-11, you just have to stop and think of all our young men and women that are still fighting for this country today and say a prayer of thanks for them and that they are safe and make it home to their families.

Dad said on the way home, they were handed letters that were written to them from local 5th graders thanking them for their service. He got a real kick out of them.

Dear old Dad. He is my inspiration for reading and writing. And I thank God for him and my brother for going to war for our country.

So thank a vet today and every day when you have an opportunity to do so.

When the world is running down, you make the best of what's still around...

That tune came over the airwaves today as I was driving home from class. It couldn't have come on a more appropriate day! I found a local doctor who will become a familiar face I'm sure. I agreed to sign the vaccine waiver after much consternation. I agreed to a tetanus booster and MMR serology testing, which their lab techs botched because my veins were in such bad shape.

At any rate, I turned in my papers to the University so hopefullly, I will not be dropped from my classes now or rather, I won't have to SUE the University for forcing me to do something harmful to my health!

The CVS pharmacist just rang me up and told me he finally got my prescription coverage to go through. Hooray!! Now, my $3000+ expense for meds will only be $43!!

Tonight Clyde Edgerton is giving a speech on campus with two other authors who co-wrote 'A Book of Dads'. This is part of the Creative Writing Department annual series of guest speakers of literary events. I plan on taking part in as many as I can. Mr. Edgerton is a professor here and I can't wait to hear him speak. He gave the 2009 commencement address and was hilarious. His latest book 'The Bible Salesman' was chosen by Oprah Winfrey as one of her summer reading series books.

I have lots of homework to get to so I will be signing off for now. I'm kinda glad this week is coming to an end!

And did ya know that Sting has a new album coming out this winter? Now that's something to look forward to!

It's been almost a week since I've written and with good reason, but not much excuse.

I have been disenrolled from my health plan because I moved out of the area, I have been in talks with Medicare for a week begging and pleading for temporary prescription coverage. When I finally think I'm getting some resolution -- they tell me all the pharmacist has to do is enroll me in something called WellPoint -- and I will be covered. Easier said than done. I've been to 3 pharmacies so far and have gotten no where and no medicines! Medicare says they cannot help me because they have nothing to do with WellPoint but the pharmacist can call them and maybe they can assist!?!?

Then yesterday while I was sitting in the campus infirmary -- I am also suffering from a mild flu-bug -- I was informed that I need to get vaccinated by this Friday or I will be dropped from all my classes. Of course, the vaccines and my MS will not work so now I'm looking for a local doctor willing to sign a waiver for me releasing me from this stipulation.

I went back up to Mooresville over Labor Day weekend to attend to some things with my house that has not sold yet.

It was difficult going back but I'm glad that I did. Mooresville represented to me a time in my life that was a major difficult period in time. It always felt negative there because I associated the place with when my life went through some very difficult events.

I was always counting down time to when I could 'get out of this place'. When I went back, it made me realize that not the entire time was bad. We had a lot of good memories in that place and it just took leaving for me to realize that.

All the moves in my life have been under difficult circumstances which make going back to those places hard.

I've moved on and I'm not looking back. Even if I still have to deal with worrisome details like Medicare or doctors. I have no regrets because I am in paradise!

I'm finding I am losing my identity. Maybe not so much my identity as a false sense of who I am. I am around all these young people without too many cares in the world and I forget that I have realities to deal with.

Like yesterday. A new rule went into effect after July1 if you rent or lease, which I do, you must put your water bill in your name instead of getting a duplicate bill from your landlord. Rentals are huge down here and I guess too many landlords were left holding the bills of some errant tenant.

So I called them up to put that change in place and found they needed a $300 deposit! I didn't even have to pay that much for the power to be put in my name. My landlord said 'it's just $300'! Well, that wasn't going to work for me. All I had to do was call the Town of Mooresville for a letter of reference and payment history and they would waive the deposit.

Anyway, not to bore you with the details, my point is I'm finding life here is so carefree and at school is its own little universe as well. When a mundane issue like the water deposit or my health insurance company not offering their plan in Wilmington (!), it is like a slap in the face that I still have the 'real world' to deal with.

Before I came here, it seems that's all I had to deal with were problems. It became my second nature and I grew to expect things to not work out so well.

I realized yesterday how wonderful things have become in my life that when those little aggravations arise, it just makes me realize how far I've come.

I also realize this isn't a fantasy. This is really my life now. That is something I will never lose sight of or not be thankful for every day.

I guess I'm not losing my identity I'm just growing as a person. Well, and maybe going through my second childhood!

The weather is so nice. Rain we had earlier has left us with a nice cool breeze. That will make my walk on campus even nicer today.

Yesterday in Biology, one of the girls I have made friends with was talking about tatoos. She has 7 in all! I told her I might would get one but with the MS I was concerned. She said when I was ready, to not go to anyone but her guy. He had won countless awards and had been doing tatoos for 16 years. He would take care of me.

Maybe if I graduate with honors I'll get inked.

Today in German, we were all assigned around 5 lines each of dialogue to memorize. We will have to get up in class and say our 'parts'. I've memorized about half of mine. I'll have it done by the time class rolls around at 2. It's basically conversations between people asking how they are, where they are from, etc. She says once we remember this, we will know it for the rest of our lives. Somehow I kinda doubt it.

The rain yesterday seems to be cooling things down a bit which is nice. I finally went out and bought a bathing suit over the weekend. Now I may go to the beach dressed appropriately (!) and not look like a bag lady in old shorts and tees. My daughters still don't think I'll wear it. I hadn't bought a bathing suit in years. Never had a reason for one but now I do. And it was marked down 60%!

Yesterday the German Lit class was cancelled. Imagine that. A teacher not able to show up. Actually, I was glad because it was raining pretty hard and that class has got the longest walk. So I had an extra hour to read up on my German. I will need it on Wednesday because the professor assigned us all dialogues that we have to memorize and say in class. I only have 5 lines to remember but it is not as easy as it sounds. That class has dwindled down quite a bit since it began.

In poetry class we watched a Youtube interview of Yehuda Amichai, an Orthodox Jew from Southern Germany. As a young boy he moved to Palestine and later fought with the British during WWII. He was one of Israel's greatest modern poets.

In the interview, he spoke of how he believed everyone is born a poet and how you should just write about things you are passionate about. He loved words and writing. Things he was passionate about were war, love and peace. Those three topics alone amassed his huge body of work.

Just listening to him speak was mesmerizing. He brought his words to life with his readings. We had done some of his work in class but hearing them from the author's own voice brought them a whole different meaning.

I think poetry is a forgotten part of our culture. Go to your library and check out a poetry book. Bring it home and read it to a loved one. I'm sure you both will be glad you did.

The weekend has flown by and it was a great one. Friday I flew in and caught up on all my German online studies. Evidently, there is also a workbook in addition to the lab book you were supposed to purchase. If I was a younger student, I would have known these things. But, thankfully, one of those younger students filled me in and told me what to do. After three hours of tasks, I was done!

Yesterday was a day for catching up on my rest. It was nice to relax but I still found myself getting in my car and driving to campus to go to the library. I really didn't even need to go, just felt the urge to be there. This library is not your typical library full of all the latest fiction books. In fact, there is very little fiction books there. The entire second floor is devoted to books pertaining to every area of study here. I got a little lost in the literature section. There were so many books on Thomas Hardy alone! I'll have plenty to read if I ever get the extra time.

Last night, I went to a poetry reading downtown. It was held in a quaint old building that was the size of a small parlor. They serve nice wines and beers there. The crowd was interesting and it was standing room only. I would have enjoyed it and would have like to have stayed longer, but there was no air conditioning. Keep in mind, the heat and humidity make the temp outside seem even hotter. With that small space and all those people, I felt as though I would faint. Maybe another time. Neat gallery though.

I also discovered that downtown Wilmington has some interesting characters just like every town. Some very creative panhandlers as well. Guess times are tough for everyone.

Today, I toured the Screen Gems studio. This studio was started in the early '80s by Frank Capra and Dino de Laurentiis. Over 300 films have been made in NC as well as many tv shows . We got to go on several sound stages and sets. You really got to see how it all goes down 'behind the scenes'.

I hope one day I may be fortunate to contribute in some way to that industry.

Now the day is winding down and it is time to hit the books. Tonight I have a German Fairy tale to read, poetry to read and the biology can wait til tomorrow.

Wow. My first full week of school. I already feel like it has been a month. But that is a good thing.
I've met lots of new people and am fitting in just fine.

There are a lot of bright young people out there folks. It restores my faith in the future. For the most part they are polite and have a lot to offer in class. I still don't get that guys don't take their hats off in class. Hugging the skateboards to their chest like it was worth a mint and sitting it by their desk is unique. Me and my cane and the skaters. We make a great pairing!

I had my first Biology lab last night. It is being taught by a very bright young lady with double majors in Biology/Marine Bio minor in environmental science. She is doing her thesis on 'some kind of water bio' to quote her.

In biology and the lab we are focusing on genetics. I told my lab partners -- who were all of 18 -- that the last time I took any kind of bio we were only dissecting small creatures. Advances in DNA was yet unheard of in the classroom. They were amazed and helped me patiently with my labwork. Other than needing a pot of coffee in the classroom, it being an evening class, I think I'll do ok. I picked a really savvy group of lab partners. You know. The really smart ones.

And I am relieved to report that I made an almost perfect score on my German test! Actually out of a total of 50, I really would have made a 44 but then I got 5 extra points for doing well on an extra credit question. So I am very pleased with that result. There weren't many of us that did so well. Then I found out I had not gotten all the materials needed for the class. I had bought the book and the online lab manual but there is also an online workbook. So I had to come home today, purchase and complete the first chapter of 18 activities that were due by midnight. It only took me 3 hours!!

I would say I deserve a nap. It is a little overcast so the beach is out. Perfect time for a nap.

Tomorrow night I will take the young roomies to their first poetry reading downtown!

Thank goodness the German test is over! I studied til I couldn't study anymore and I was still one of the last students left in the room trying to figure out all the answers to that very difficult test. She at least gave an extra credit problem which was to write a dialogue in German of two or three people meeting on the street and what their conversation might be. I think I did okay in that one. I will definitely need the extra points. I did get high marks from her on my online work. Myself and two others were the only ones that completed successfully the work. Which I found hard to believe because online it gives you a second chance to correct your work so there is no reason to not get a 100!

Today there is a job fair on campus. I plan on attending before Biology. I have already posted my qualifications online so hopefully I can pick up a job on campus.

I purchased my laptop yesterday and the HP won out. I decided not to get the Apple only because of cost. I really wanted it but as Arielle said with a motherly look, 'there will be another time for the Mac.' She is wise.

Having a laptop, any laptop, is cool. The freedom it allows you is wonderful. I still find myself taking pencil to paper though. I'm so old school. If it ain't broke, huh?

My poem is completed and ironically enough, I'm not happy with my last line. I hope we get to mine in class today so I can get feedback on other endings. Maybe I'll post here sometime.

I also have my first German test today and for some reason I am having a hard time preparing for this one. The teacher's style is slightly different from any I have been accustomed to before. She speaks almost entirely in German and this is Introductory German. No one in the class has ever had German before. I at least have had two years in high school but that has been 30+ years ago!!

I can remember phrases and words but it is the sentences that are giving me the most problems. She speaks so fast and when we tell her to slow down, she says she is speaking slow for us:) I still enjoy the class. We are all able to laugh at ourselves. Our southern accent speaking those German words are just too funny.

I got so antsy trying to get it in my brain, I finally put it down and went out to the beach. Now we're talking. I just stared at that ocean for an hour and breathed in that salt water and cleared out my fuzzy brain and I was good to go!

Then I came home and put on my pjs looked at my German book and told myself, 'i'll study in the morning.'

Was studierst du? Ich studiere Deutsch. Guten Tag!

At least all the teachers give plenty of extra credit that I will plan on taking advantage of.

We were given an assignment yesterday in poetry class to take the last line from any poem we wanted and incorporate it into a poem we compose and bring to class tomorrow. I have found my line but so far the rest of the page is blank. I'm hoping to get some inspiration between now and tomorrow so I can complete my assignment. The line I chose is from a poem written by Czeslaw Milosz. Milosz was born in Poland in 1911 and by the age of 21 had already been published. He was also a member of the Polish 1930s avant-garde literary movement. From the Poem 'My Faithful Mother Tongue' the last line is "for what is needed in misfortune is a little order and beauty."

I just know there is another poem in that! I'm sure it will come.

I am still reeling about my oldest's engagement news. I will have a son-in-law. One who is very handy around the house. One who didn't flinch when I told him I would have a job jar on the counter just for him! One who I know is going to take very good care of my daughter.

Now I must go and study for my first German test. She emphasized no multiple choice either!

Auf Wiedersehen!

I haven't written over the weekend because I spent Saturday catching up on homework and rest and Sunday enjoying seeing Hannah and James and old friends Carl and Jan.

It was a wonderful weekend. No stress. Come to think of it, I really can't remember the last time I felt stress. I don't think the traffic is bad here so driving in it is not bad. I-77 prepared me for that! No, I've been feeling pretty zen since I've been here. Must be the ocean hypnotic lull. Whatever it is, I like it!!

On a different note altogether, my oldest daughter called me late last night to inform me she was 'officially' engaged! My reaction to this news was pure joy. I do believe she has found her one and only and I like the guy. I don't think a wedding is anywhere in the near future, but I sure would like it to be on the beach. Simple, did I mention not much stress involved...

I have just had two full days at campus and what a two days they were!

For starters, the campus is buzzing literally and figuratively. Lots of kids on bikes and skateboards zooming around, many talking on their cells or listening to ipods, and me in the middle of it all just taking it all in!

I was very intimidated when I first got to campus. All those days I spent going early and preparing flew out the window because when I got there on Wednesday, it was overwhelming just trying to find a handicapped parking space!

I went to my once quiet library only to discover every computer taken and loud noises coming from the corner!! No, it wasn't what you're thinking. No freshmen in the stacks making out. There is actually a coffee shop, more like a large kiosk, in the library!!

Well, my nerves finally got the best of me and I just had to sit down. I read the local paper and regrouped. I felt better just inhaling the coffee fumes. I listened to all the jumbled conversations. I heard one obvious freshman calling her mom to tell her she had just gotten her id and was ecstatic and her nerves were finally starting to calm down. I wanted to get up and hug her!

Then it was time to start my first class. There I saw a guy that I had met back in the summer at orientation. He motioned me to sit beside him. What a relief! A friendly face! He also was in my second class and walked with me to the next one. It made the walk seem half as long plus he knew exactly where to go. I had already lost my bearings again!

We discussed writing, the poetry of John Donne and 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' on our walk. I thought "how lucky am I"!!

Well, I have the first day of school under my belt. And what a first day it was. Of course I woke up at 5:11a.m.! Really wished I could have slept in til at least 6:30 but I was just too excited.

I tried my best to fill the morning with mundane chores but by 10:30, I was leaving for campus. I didn't have to be there until noon, but I just had to get there.

What an amazing site. All those days I had been going, there weren't too many people around but today, there were hundreds of young people everywhere. Many were on bikes and scateboards with ipods in their ears or talking on the phone. So much activity and noise it was exhilirating.

I must admit I was a little overwhelmed at first. Once I got my wits about me, and calmed myself down, it got easier. When I made it to my first class, I saw familiar faces from this summer's orientation. That made all the difference. Two of the people in that class were in my second class and we walked together to our German Lit course. A nice young man from that same group then walked me to my third class even though he wasn't even going that way.

I felt such a sense of accommplishment that I even made it to the classes on time with everything I was supposed to have.

I came home very tired and went to bed. Now I'm going for a pot of coffee and back to the campus for fireworks and fun!!

Another beautiful sunrise, another beautiful day.

The day before school is to begin.

My stomach has butterflies. It's not nerves but excitement. Sheer joy at the start of something great.

I got my nerve up and sent an email to my German professor, in German! She had written all the students one in German and surprisingly I could understand the entire email. I replied back in English but then after thinking about it all weekend, I thought how cowardly of me. So with what little memory I had of the correct adverbs and verbs, I penned a short note back to her in Deutsche yesterday. Haven't gotten a response. Hopefully, she could decipher it!

Yes, I have no fear. I am definitely having to leave that at the door. I think having MS enabled me to be able to do that a long time ago. Who knew that would turn out to be a blessing?

So today, I'm going to get things in order. Load up the trusty old bookbag. It is actually a messenger bag I carried in my racing days. Jeff Gordon once told me it looked like a First Aid bag. I was offended! I like my old green bag. It holds lots of memories and will continue for many more. It has that worn in feeling. Kinda like me! We both have lots of miles on us so we fit together great.

I have a composition notebook, pencils, pen and a highlighter. I suppose the professors will tell us if anything else is necessary. My daughter reminded me last night I will need a flash drive. Oh, the computer. The last time I was in college, we didn't even have them hardly. I think my one computer course I took was data processing or something!

As much as I hate the computer, it is a necessary evil in our everyday use, especially on a college campus. Oh, well. I can manage. There are plenty of young people around me to help with the technical issues. They are all so bright when it comes to that stuff. It is like second nature to them.

I'll end the day with a quick trip down to the beach. I wonder how difficult it will be to do homework at the beach. Hmmm.

TO DO LIST:
check out laptops that are durable in sandy environments

Last night I went to hear a lady speak on campus about diversity and acceptance to a group of incoming freshmen. She had a good rapport with the young group and comes with quite a background in diversity training.

She touched on issues that hit home to our kids generation like eating disorders and suicide. She asked everyone in the audience to stand up who knew someone that had the disorder or who had tried to commit suicide. I could not believe that each time, over half that room stood up! Then she asked those to keep standing if the person they were standing up for had died, and hardly no one sat down. I almost was brought to tears.

For the students that were in the room, the speech was about pay attention to those around you. Be kind to one another and if you know someone has a problem, try and get help for them.

But for me, I was a mom last night. It was heartbreaking to hear. I have two college-aged children, both whom I believe are pretty well adjusted and for that I am thankful. I cannot imagine if your child hurt so much, he or she felt they had to hurt themselves or worse take their life.

It was an eye-opening experience for me.

So be kind to one another. If you know of someone that needs help, reach out to them. Life can be difficult but it can be made a little easier for someone if they just know that someone out there cares.

Another day, another adventure.

I awaken each morning down here almost like clockwork, at 5:12a.m. Don't know why the odd time, but then I am odd! Before Wilmington, I almost always took Tylenol PM to get to sleep but now I fall asleep by 11:00p.m. with nothing. I don't even need the tv on like I used to have to do to quiet my mind. I do so much during the day here that I am really tired by lights out! That is a a really good feeling.

I cannot tell you how excited I am to start my classes. I have been to campus everyday for two weeks. Getting the lay of the land so to speak. I know where all the buildings are that will house all four of my classes. I've been to the library almost daily. I've learned how to use their computers and send a document to the print center from any of the campus computers, which by the way, is not always right by the computers. I don't know why, they just aren't.

I met with my advisor last week who is a very helpful and patient person. He will be a great sounding board for all my silly questions.

I also took baked key lime tarts to my guardian angels in admissions and financial aid offices. They were a big help in my getting into this place! Of course they were surprised. They said that not too often did a student bring them homemade delights.

My german professor sent the class an email in german about the class and I could translate the entire email!! I haven't had german since 1976. I think I'll do ok. In packing up the attic, I found my old notebook from the class with all my notes along with my English/German dictionary! Sometimes it pays to be a packrat!

Tonight I'm going to campus for an event for students that is just a general welcome and let's have a good year kind of thing. There is also a beach blast, an art opening and fireworks. All this before the start on Wednesday!

I hope my two 19-year-old roomies will join me on campus for some fun. Their classes begin at the community college tomorrow. They have already started working at their jobs. I am so proud of both of them!

I can see the sunrise from my bedroom window to let me know it is going to be another beautiful day at the beach. Now where is my floppy hat and my beach mat...

If you have wandered upon this blog, welcome! Hopefully, you will read something you like and be inclined to come back again and again.

Why 'The Bird's Nest'? Well, for starters, my last name is Lark, so that is a given.

Anyone that comes to my home can look around and see my affinitiy for all things birds. Bird nests, bird eggs, glass birds and my daughters' fav, the noisy bird clock!!

Can you believe that when I recently moved they actually tried to leave the beloved clock?! Thanks to my dear old bro Jim, he had my back and loaded it up for me. We birds of a feather...well, you know the rest.

And of course, the fact that I moved away from home to begin life over at college. I have flown the nest to start over. The old metaphor 'empty nest' doesn't really apply here. My oldest and youngest are both in college but I'm the one that left the nest!

I am spreading my wings and flying high into the unknown and loving every minute of it.

I will try and detail my findings and foibles on a regular basis. Classes begin this Wednesday and I am sure my time will be at a premium with all the reading and studying and writing I will be doing.

So jump aboard. Take this wild ride with me. I know I couldn't have gotten here without all the love and support from all my great family and friends.