Barb,
It's got to be so frustrating when a student is texting, etc. while you're trying to do your job. The great thing about university teaching is that it's all up to the student...you can call her on it, but those types of students seem to be lost...disconnected from what they should be attentive to.

It's so sad...too many distractions for these young people. You, as a professor, can only do so much...then it's up to the student to apply his or herself, or fail.

I pray that you can reach her somehow. But I wouldn't put my hopes on it...so many kids aren't ready for college life until they're in their mid to late 20s.

Sometimes I think that public service for a few years is a way to get these young people to mature. They do, as Gail Sheehy states in her updated book "Passages", mature much later...most into their 30s.

Again, good luck, Barb. I guess talking to her after class might help, but she'll probably roll her eyes and smile...then go on her merry, texting way

I got the drag- my- feet- thing done today!

And now to begin tackling a big box of papers... or knitting... or gathering stuff for the crocheting class I start teaching tomorrow... or...

I told them the first day to turn off all their electronic devices, but it is hard to regulate. I have threatened to answer their cell phones if they ever go off. That always happens a time or two every semester. Then there all the students that bring their computers to class and sit in the back of the room. You just know that they are surfing the internet, emailing, etc. but they say they are using them to take notes. I do not feel like I can ban them because they might use them to take notes.

I agree with you regarding the public service idea.

DebbieD - I read that book a long time ago. It was a pretty interesting book. Additionally, you will do fine with the medical transcription. Just relax, keep your mind clear, and type. A lot of what you learn will be repetition type stuff - terminology. Have you started listening to actual dictation yet? That gets a little tricky as some people are terrible dictators and aren't very "professional" when dictating. (Toilets flushing, chewing, talking to others while dictating, etc.). Oh and the accents. Oh my! But slowly you learn and you will do great.

Sandy - Those pictures are amazing!!!! Thanks for posting them. It is always great to get a visual on how much snow there is there. Plus, it is fun for those of us in much warmer climates to see snow like that. . . . .Oh, for Pete's sake, put the snowball down, Sandy. No need to throw one at me as it will melt along the way. LOL Besides wasn't Kay bragging about it being 81 the other day. She has the warmest weather, I think.

Barb - Oh how frustrating! That girl would have irritated the heck out of me. You have patience though. I would have just stopped talking and pointed her out to the rest of the class as an example of what NOT to do during class. Either the girl would have dropped my class or never did that again. A little embarrassment can sometimes go a long way. Good luck on Friday. Additionally, I hope you start feeling better after resting for a bit.

(((Sox))) - Hope your hands decide to start working again soon. Also, I know you go back to the dr about the surgery this month (you may have already posted about it and I missed it. If so I am sorry), but I will say some prayers for you.

It is not even 7:00 and I am ready for bed! I took it easy today and rested my muscles and tried to behave. LOL Anyhow, thought I would check in with you all before putting my pjs on, then reading, then going to sleep. Oh wait, it's Wednesday! I hope I can stay awake long enough to watch Criminal Minds. Love that show!

Have a good night everyone!

morning all

its brr out -14 -32 with the wind, cars started and running, let them warm up a wee bit

hope you had a wonderful weds and thurs is also a good day

be back in a wee bit I need coffee and where I am gonna pour it is none of anyones business, did I mention brrrrrrrrr

Good Morning Everyone.....I'm heading back to bed. Didn't feel good last night and kept waking up every hour or so. Sort of feel nauseous but not too bad. Must have eaten something that didn't agree with me because my tummy hurts (off and on). I'll check back in later. I'll probably only sleep a couple of hours.....

Good morning all. Very cold here today. brrr. Windchills are close to -20. Hoping it warms up a little bit for my doc's appointment this afternoon.

Kelly, sorry to hear your not feeling well.

Frank, LOL! Did you hear about the report that those of us who drink a lot of coffee are more prone to hallucinations? Kinda explains the weird dreams I have.

Barb, There's always been those types in classes that never pay attention. I remember sitting next to a girl that read magazines hidden in her notebook. Sorry to hear that standing for so long wore you out so much.

Sandy, My back porch is covered too. Thankfully we have two enterprising young men in our neighborhood. Every winter they are out asking people if they want their driveways done. After three years, they've gotten really good at it.

Debbie D, hope your class goes well.

Everyone,

Good morning everyone!

Frank - That is dang cold!!!!! Brrrrr is an understatement. I am so spoiled with our winter weather here. Stay warm!

Kelly - Hope you start feeling better.

Fin - Hope you are doing better from your procedure the other day.

I had so much I wanted to do today. I have my list all ready to go and I rested up yesterday because my body started yelling at me to stop. Well I'll be danged if I didn't wake up with a numb left leg and a "pending" charley horse in my calf and small spasms in my butt, left hamstring, and back. I'm pretty ticked off at MS this morning. Ok, vent over.

Since my plans changed when I woke up this morning, not sure what I will be doing today. My mind is telling me go, go, go but my body is saying stop, stop, stop. UGH!

Tonight, DD17 is receiving an award at school for outstanding efforts at school, in the community, grades, and something else I can't remember right now. I am so, so proud of her. She doesn't want to go to the ceremony though. LOL I don't know why. But, we're going and I better rest up for it.

Is that a new report about coffee and hallucinations? It's not news to me. Caffeine has always given me nightmares when not consumed prudently.

Kelly -- Hope you do not have a stomach bug. It is going around here.

Jenn -- Be careful when you go out to that appointment.

It is currently -10 here with a windchill of - 28. I canceled my one class for today. There is just no way I am going outside today. My leg was just getting stiffer and stiffer yesterday. Why does the cold affect spasticity?

Plus I have not had the power steering fixed in my car yet. I am still waiting for parts. It works fine when it is warm, but stiffens up (just like my leg) when the temperature is below 20 degrees. I wonder if they can order some new parts for my leg too?

Hope everyone stay warm today.