And I'm Ready for Some Shots.

And no, I don't mean the alcohol type...

Today was the first day of my seriously needed Thanksgiving break! I came home around 6:00 on Monday night, absolutely exhausted from only getting two hours of sleep, and having an intense swim practice that morning... suffice it to say, I fell asleep around 8:30.

But I woke up refreshed, and ready to spend some quality time with my dad, who had taken the day off. We ended up golfing at Twin Hills Country Club, where he spends a lot of his free time. Unfortunately, I hadn't packed my "golfing wardrobe" and ended up wearing my dad's clothes... jacket, pants, shocks, shirt, and shoes included. A few mulligans later, we found ourselves laughing up the fairway. We played seven holes (didn't exactly have time to play nine) and had lunch together. I had a great time, as you can see from the picture below. Note, the ball is still on the tee...

Well, as you may be curious, the real reason for the unfortunate LMFAO reference in this post's title came after golfing. At three today, I had an appointment at Baystate Medical Center's travel clinic, to talk about my health and safety abroad, and to get my vaccinations! After discussing the malaria pills I'm going to be taking while in Tanzania, I was given a couple immunizations... four to be exact. I am now vaccinated against: Yellow Fever, Polio, Hepatitis A, and Typhoid Fever. Yes, the Typhoid Mary joke was made. As I'm an old hat when it comes to shots, these weren't too bad, other than leaving a nasty bruise. They did however make my trip far more of a reality.

After being poked and prodded, I was given a nifty little sheet that details what I should and shouldn't eat when I'm abroad. I can't really eat anything that hasn't been cooked, and certainly can't drink any water that isn't bottled. Understandably, to those who know me well, it was specifically stressed that at no moment am I allowed to sing in the shower. But for those of you who don't know me, this restriction was stressed because I am the loudest and most consistent shower singer you will ever meet. It is almost certain that this specific constraint is going to be difficult for me.

Well, tomorrow, is my Dad's birthday, so I'm off to bed since I have to wake up early. We have this tradition in the Hauser household where the birthday person wakes up to breakfast in bed, and of course, the dulcet tones of the Happy Birthday song...

Until next time,

Emma



Like Your Brain Can't Keep Up with Your Beak

Please accept my sincere apologies for the lack of blogging. It seems school has just gotten busier and busier these past weeks. But, as of today, I have exactly eleven more days of classes and only 36 days until I'm home for winter break. This semester is flying by, and seemingly getting more difficult each day.

Today has been particularly stressful as my morning has not gone as planned. I woke up at 7:30 rather than 6:30 and missed morning swim practice. Went to get an early start on studying my abstract algebra (I have a huge exam tomorrow) and realized I didn't have my book. My friend whom I had been studying with had accidentally picked it up, and it took an extra fifteen minutes just to get it back. Then on my way to breakfast I realized I had left my keys and my Knightcard in my Suite. Thus, I unfortunately had to walk all the way back to my building; incidentally a building I had locked myself out of.  So I had to steal a friend’s key card all in order to get breakfast.
So all in all, I’ve finally made it to a study room in the library, two hours after I initially began my morning...

But this isn’t even the worst part. Tonight I have practice from four to six, an orientation reunion dinner at seven, rehearsal at eight, and I'm tutoring from nine to eleven. I guess you could say I have a certain tendency to put too many things on my plate. And when I realize this, I stress out and begin to do things without thinking. Its funny, because I know exactly what my mom would have said to me, had I been home this morning. She would have said: "Slow down, take a deep breath, you're moving too quickly and forgetting things. Let you're mind catch up with you. Write out a list of things you need to do, and tackle them one at a time." She always has the best advice...

Anyways,
The more exciting news of the day would be that my plane tickets have been purchased, and everything is beginning to fall into place for my trip!
I’m beginning to study some Swahili (when my schedule permits) and I’m starting to make a packing list, and a list of things I need to purchase in the next few weeks… including some type of e-reader.
That’s where you come in!
I need advice on deciding what to buy. What would you suggest; the nook tablet or the kindle fire?

Well, off to study,
wish me luck
-Emma