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Archive for the ‘Graduation’ Category

A life update post

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

Just putting a life update out there, giving whatever people who read my blog a break from the book postings, on which I’m now 3 books behind again. Anyways, I am working on a new project I created for myself, creating a webpage that I can link to here with my pictures from my most semi-recent academic achievements. These pictures do include my little princess Leah, and some family and friends. I have always had a fascination with pictures even when I could see, and I never let it go. Not sure if any sighted people read or know of my site, but I just feel the need to put it out there I guess. So, yeah, I graduated in May with my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. I start working on my master’s degree in the fall; I am going for a Master’s of Science, Leadership and Management. Sounds like fun huh?

I was able to make it through my final semester of undergrad without needing surgery. (This has been something that has been the odd occurrence since like 2010.) Alas, the surgery bug didn’t stay away for good though. I am having surgery this Friday, June 28, to remove or clamp off my back right shunt system. This is because the system only works when it wants, and currently it has wanted to work semi-decently and I have been suffering from low spinal fluid levels, and been absolutely miserable. The valve for the system is adjustable, but the valve is broken because the doctor was unable to adjust it normally. So, at least this surgery is happening between semesters, and I can recover at a leisurely pace and not feel rushed to get back to school work. It will suck because it is just starting to get hot here in Texas, and I hate being hot… especially after surgery since it is likely to make me real sick. So, I will be doing my best to stay cool. I am a little nervous about this surgery because it isn’t something I have done before, and there is a slightly higher risk of hemridging than when putting in or replacing parts in a shunt system. This doesn’t mean to say that this procedure is highly dangerous or anything, but the risk is there with this procedure, where with the others it really isn’t. I have the surgeon I wanted to do the surgery, my mom will be at the hospital with me, and I have finally learned to put my foot down and demand what I believe is what I want and best for me. So, yeah, feeling a bit empowered after graduating I guess! 

I wanted to do a whole post dedicated to graduation, but due to my recent health issues, I do not feel that I could do it justice, so I’m just going to touch on it here. I graduated in the top 20% of my class with a 3.4 GPA. I was accepted to grad school before attaining my degree, based solely on my under grad grades, and that made me feel like my hard work was starting to pay off. Also, because of my excellent grades, I was able to get into grad school without the standardized testing that is usually required! So, yeah, kind of stoked about the fall to see how bad grad school really will be. I’m also sort of job hunting to give myself a chance to get some experience and to earn some extra cash since I won’t be getting any financial aid for grad school.

I think that’s all I got for now, time for food, coffee, and to lay down a bit before I fall over. Damn fluid levels.
Hope you have enjoyed the break from book postings, and if you ever have any questions or want to know about anything I post, please feel free to ask in the comments and I’ll get back with you ASAP!

TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

P.S.
When I feel better I’ll post another life type post, and a link to the picture page.

Not how I thought things would be now, when I was 16

Monday, January 21st, 2013

So, I saw this prompt on Twitter and it caught my attention. I want to give this a shot.
Here it is:
“When you were 16, what did you think your life would look like? Does it look like that? Is that a good thing?”
First of all, when you are a 16 year old girl, your thoughts of the future are very romantic. Not romantic in the lovey dovey sense, but romantic in the true meaning of the word which is to say, you have your “perfect life” planned out.
I cannot say if the same applies to 16 year old boys since I have no experience there. HAHA
So, when I was 16, wow that seems so long ago.
When I was 16, I thought that right about now I would be married, have a college degree, a few kids… and be living happily ever after.
Well, I got part of it right didn’t I?
I mean, I will have my bachelors degree this May. Start grad school in the fall…
I’m not married, I don’t have some fabulous job, and I certainly don’t have any kids as of yet…
But, I tell you I am living somewhat happily ever after in my own little part of the world.
One thing that my 16 year old self never planned on is me typing this entry out while something is talking to me telling me what letter and words I’m inputting into my computer.
My 16 year old self never thought that in 2 years from that point I would be blind.
But you know what, I don’t think I so much mind it most of the time.
Sure, there are times when I get frustrated and say “If I could just see this task would be a hell of a lot easier.” But honestly, I don’t think there are many blind people who don’t say that from time to time…
But thanks to going blind, I have my wonderful guide dog Leah and I have my awesome boyfriend Taylor…
I won’t ever strain my eyes with all my reading because all I have to do is listen to read.
Plus, audio books give each book a sense of being a minature movie.
My text books, well, I can use the “Find” feature where a sighted person can’t use that on their print books.
I mean to say it’s not all bad.
So, 16 year old self.. I know you had big dreams and big hopes…
But don’t worry, we’ll get there, we just have to take a different route.

Well, almost 10 years after turning 16, I have to say that even though things haven’t played out like 16 year old me thought they should, I’m pretty damn happy with who I am, how far I have come, and the prospect of things to come!

TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

Ding! Dong! The Wicked Witch is Dead!

Monday, March 14th, 2011

This one could be a doozey, so pull up your favorite chair or couch and have a sit. While you are at it, grab yourself a drink and something to munch since Steve informed me that the blog has no food or drinks. HAHAHAHA
Well, the title is a bit expressive of how I feel. Just take dead out and turn it into gone and that is a good summary. I will start by saying I’m not admitting to anything here or saying I did anything, I’m just stating what has happened. So, the handler of Sausage Dog has made it up in her mind there is no possible way Guide Dog’s could have known about her dog being so fat or having health problems unless I told them. Resulting from her thinking that she no longer talks to me. This explains the title. I’m kind of happy about this, because she wasn’t exactly the greatest friend for me. She was full of constant drama, whining, bitching, and an all together bring you down kind of person. So, I feel lots better now that she is gone.
Here is a clip of the song:
Ding!Dong! The Wicked Witch is Dead!

To keep with this Wizard of OZ theme, Here is how I feel about the situation and
maybe I should have a heart?
I’ve been really busy with school that I haven’t had much time to think about much, other than school. Calculus and Statistics are kicking my butt though. Well Calculus more than Statistics though. I’m really liking my 1960s literature class and Marketing is a bit redundant in some parts.Still trying to finish some of those classes left from last semester. I only have 2 left to finish now. I did finish my Wellness/Fitness class by completeing 3 miles in the allotted 1 hour time limit given to everyone. I was told that no matter what I finished I would still get full credit, that just fueled me to finish in time even more. Leah didn’t like it much, but I was pumped after I finished and very proud of myself. So, I got an A for that class. I also ended up with a B in biology after everything was done. Business Law likes a quiz, a final, and a research paper. My freshman orientation class is just waiting on the teacher to tell me what is left to finish. I still can’t believe that I’m graduating this May and its only the first step in a long journey lol.
Here is another song that reminds me of Calculus and Statistics:
Calculus and Statistics, YUCK!
In my spare time, which there seems to be little of, I’ve been watching American Idol. I know I crossed over to the dark side, but Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson’s chemistry really makes it interesting for me. I’ve picked my favorite guy who auditioned in Austin. I love him while everyone I know hates him. Maybe you guys might like him.
Casey Abrams audition in Austin
He has that very bluesy/jazzy sound. Which deep down and in a place I’m not too scared to admit I have…I love this kind of music. I’m a sucker for something different I guess.
Here is one of my favorites of his. In this video, he is doing his solo performance in Hollywood during Hollywood week or as the judges called it “Hell Week” He is keeping the pretense of being different and plays an upright bass.
Casey’s solo during Hollywood week
This one has to be my most favorite performance of his to date:
Not sure who originally does this song, but I love it
Sorry for the onslaught of links, but another few are coming 🙂 This has to be one of my least favorite performances of his, even though I really like the song.
I Put a Spell on You
This is the most recent performance I could find, and he still gives me goosebumps with his voice.
Most recent performance and I just love it!
So this week is spring break, but not for me I’m spending it doing homework. Well Tuesday I’m going shopping with a couple of friends of mine, that ought to be fun 🙂 Everyone needs a break from time to time right?
Gosh, May 5th I’ll be done at this college and moving on to another one to finish my bachelors degree. But this summer I get to go to Vegas. That trip has me a bit nervous. I’m flying there by myself and may get there before Taylor and his friend get there. We are going to Vegas to be there for Taylor’s best friends wedding. Taylor has been knighted best man. I am making sure someone gets me pictures since Taylor is supposed to wear a suit and this boy is the last person I would have ever thought to be seen in a suit. I think its going to be lots of fun if I can relax and not worry about the minor details. Thats alot of my problems, I over think stuff and over analyze it to death. Life would be so much better if I could just learn to turn my brain off and relax. So that is my goal for the Vegas trip, to relax.
I’m trying to talk my mom into taking me home after graduation, well back to their house, to have a graduation party. I’m sure they won’t want to do it, but I really want a graduation party. You may ask why would I want a graduation party now?
Well the answer is simple, I didn’t have a graduation party after my high school graduation. My party consisted of TV,my hospital cup full of ice water, my parents couch, and good strong pain meds. My high school graduation was 3 days after I had surgery the first time, the time they installed all this hardware. so, yeah I was just glad to make it through graduation without getting violently ill.
So, to make up for that I want to party this time, for this graduation. Its a bit much to ask for, but I really want it! To be able to celebrate my accomplishment with old friends and my family will be so awesome!
Well, hmm, I would also like to thank Steve for giving my blog back after he hijacked it.
Here is a little Public Service Announcement just for Steve:
Stop using the word”Tweeps” and “Tweople” those words just make you sound like a dork.
HAHAHA
No really, it is just that most people find them really annoying…and my PSA sucked….I guess I need some more marketing classes.

****Pay no attention to those people behind the curtain****
Well, everyone else has gone to bed so I guess its my turn.
I promise, I’ll try to update more often and make time for this little place I call my internet home 🙂

Night everyone and sweet dreams!
XOXO
Amanda Ellen and Leah