It is 10.43pm. And I have time for only a short one...
7am today. Woke up and dragged myself out of bed to go and do some cardio at the gym. I haven't been at the gym for the last 5 days. I thought it was time to break the terrible pattern. Brought my iPad and watched the first episode of 'How to Get Away with Murder'. I've promised myself I only get to watch my shows when I'm on the treadmill or elliptical (thanks Alyssa for the idea, it's a real horrible idea you know, such torture)
Came home. Showered and had breakfast.
9am. The day was so gloomy but we had already planned to head to the Shedd aquarium today. Ihsan had been repeating on loop how he missed the aquarium. He also said he wants to live right next to it (sighs). So we went. But, I spent most of my time at a cafe, going over readings for a class I had tonight (I was feeling guilty for the half-assed blogpost I put up last night, 1 day late mind you. And nothing in comparison to the quality of writing of some of my classmates). I did take the boys to the aquatic show, letting hubs sit at the cafe with a cup of hot chocolate to be away from the boys for a little (Nothing to feel guilty about, very important for parental sanity).
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| The view from the cafe. Dark dark skies terribly chilly winds. Welcome to the Windy City, huh? |
I napped in the car on the way home. We had lunch and then we went for the boys first swimming lessons at a nearby swimming school. You guessed it, I had my readings along with me.
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| Will blog more about this experience another time! |
We headed home. I had an early dinner (4.30pm). Had a hot shower. Popped some pills and lay down for a rest. I've been having tension headaches almost every day.
I then walked over to school for a 6pm team meeting. We're working on a problem-based assignment for a class I'm taking.
Before the meeting, I spent about 15 minutes complaining about how the readings are so dense. How all the activity on our hive (our online learning platform) is making me feel very unintelligent compared to my colleagues.
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| Virtual meetings are huge in this prog! |
At 7pm, we log onto our virtual class. I'm blown away by the technology and how I'm in a small actual classroom on campus with my team-mates, but also online with 44 other students, some as far away as Australia! It's my first ever online virtual class.
It's daunting, at the same time hilarious! The comments on the chat bar blow me away1
At one point, there was a poll and I was in the minority that answered positively to the question. My team, the one I was with non-virtually in the classroom, urged me to 'raise my hand' in the class and share my views. I felt a little pressured, even though one of my classmates, sensing my discomfort assured me that I didn't have to. But I did. I spoke up and I don't know whether what I said was even logical, but I was glad I had team mates willing to put me out of my comfort zone.
Our virtual class ended at 8.30pm. Our team stuck around to finish up our meeting, picking up on juicy bits our professors had doled out during the class. We worked out what needed to be done before our next meeting.
I walk home. It's 9.15pm. The boys are fast asleep. I let out a grunt of acknowledgement to my hubs, changed into jammies, opened up my laptop and tackled my blog reflection post for Thursday's class. Tomorrow, I have to read the 4 chapters plus 1 compulsory reading for that same class (never mind the 3 other optional readings assigned) and complete 1 assignment that we're discussing in THAT SAME CLASS.
I also have to find time to do some interviews for a discovery assignment for another class (why aren't the contacts replying me?) and then start tackling assignments for next week.
It's 11.07pm now. I'm feeling good that I'm spending this little time blogging. I do want to share my academic experience (with those who are keen to learn about it). Also, it would really help address any concerns that my colleagues or former/current/potential bosses may have about how I spend my time here. It's not all about fishing, sunny days with the kids touring around. It's pure hard work la!!! *cries*
I find it even more difficult to balance between my priorities now. Especially since I've stated how time with my kids is important and a priority over these 2 years. It would be easier to just chuck them in school all day, the way I do in Singapore. Sighs......(yes, still carrying around years of mommy guilt).
I'm going to have some left over tiramisu now and watch a little bit of tv. Brainless stuff like fixing homes. And then tomorrow wake up to go to the gym so I can finish that episode of 'How to get away with murder' and maybe start on the new episode of Jane the Virgin. Sigh, who am I kidding? I should dump all this entertainment and just watch Ted Talks and podcasts like all my other brilliant classmates!