Christmas Time

Once finals come around, there is always one thing I can do to put me in a good mood ... put up Christmas decorations! Mom and dad brought me a tree and some decorations and I was able to put up this lovely tree, which reminds me of what's to come when finals are over!

Katlin had some nice red place mats to go with my 1st Christmas tree, a little baby for the dorms, for our beautiful table that mom refinished

Looks like Santa stopped by but forgot his hat!

Our pretty, festive apartment!

Call me a suck up...

So, sometimes my creativity gets in the way of my complete academic performance. For my basic instrumentation and calibration course, we had to make a loudspeaker ... well take a look at loudspeaker #1: Made out of a kleenex box

I didn't feel it was cool enough and it didn't work great, so I went for a more, outside of the box approach, literally.

Now take a look at loudspeaker #2: A Martini Glass and yes, I even made an olive out of clay and positioned my magnet on top of it. Genius.

Too bad it came in dead last in the speaker competition. It would be good for a narrowband filter, though :) I did manage to get all the points for creativity and design, which I expected. My professor leaves the building everyday at 4:30 to meet his wife for happy hour ... his favorite drink is a martini.

So, if this whole grad school thing doesn't work out, I could make speakers or circuits or patch cords!

December is FINALLY here!

My 1st semester of Grad School is ALMOST OVER!!! Only 7 more to go! Time really has flown by... I swear it was yesterday when I was moving to Lincoln and second guessing myself. Although, I still do second guess myself! There is this thing about grad school where each new project, test, presentation or whatever else they make us do, makes you think, "can I actually do this and succeed at it?" and that makes you wonder, "can I actually be a good audiologist?".

I just got done with a huge research presentation that was about how a specific middle ear measurement (wideband reflectance) relates to the physiology of the ear. I was so nervous that I didn't have enough material and just didn't know enough about the topic. That is probably true since it was only a 30-40 minute presentation. However, my professor gave me good feedback as well as my classmates. Then, just yesterday, my professor told me he was so impressed with my research that he would like me to present it at a state convention: Nebraska Speech-Language and Hearing convention. WOW. I was stunned, surprised, flattered, and terrified. How does he know that I really DO know enough about this measure?! Then I made a phone call to my parents, like I always do when I get flustered, and made a decision. This is grad school, it is meant to be scary because now we are part of the real world application. Nothing is black and white and as terrifying as something might be at the time, it will only help evolve me into the professional I want to become. And, even the person I hope that I am. So, I said I would be honored to present. He also let me know that I wouldn't be alone, I would be collaborating with an Audiologist at Boys Town who has been performing the actual research that I presented. (Cool!)

This week, I also had my first practical exam where I sat down with 2 of my professors and they grilled me on clinical application information, when we would run specific tests-when we wouldn't, how to run certain measures/tests, the norms, ... and it went on.

One of my professors said, " oh you all will be fine, if you don't pass, we will just call it an incomplete and you can retake it before the spring semester begins. Everyone always says it wasn't as bad as they thought." Well... I would like to meet these people, because it was WORSE than what I thought!

When people are asking me questions, I want to be prepared and know more than just the answer. But when you have 2 people staring at you, waiting for your response and one looks so bored she just might put a pencil through her eye, it is quite intimidating. OR when they'd ask a question and I would begin to answer, they would have this look on their faces like "what in the world are you talking about?... good try". Finally, when I was done with all of the torture, I was sent to a different room while my professors chatted. When I came back, they said, "So Kelly, how do you feel you did? Do you think there's anything you could improve on?" Right then and there I about starting crying because I knew I would have to take it again. Then they said, Oh we're just kidding, we like to do that to you all!... MEAN. BUT, then they said I did a great job and I passed!! There was that immediate elation and relief, but I wanted to go home and eat cookies and sleep. It was so exhausting. Unfortunately, I have to do it all over again next semester, but it will include counseling and the hearing aid clinic. Then, at the end of my 3rd year I will have oral comps where I pick 4 classes and answer the boards questions. Stay tuned.

I love my Daddy

Yes, my dad, Steve Archer is another year older, but don't let that fool you. He is just as loving as always... he isn't one of those old (young at heart) bitter people. In fact, for his birthday, he took us to Lamberts in Springfield, MO! It was amazing! So much great food that you can't get enough of, but physically you can. We had a great time just hanging out and enjoying each other's company.

The dogs had a great time too. McDuff got a car ride (although I think he would prefer to drive) and Lucy got to play with Gracie.

Leftovers-need I say more?

Me and Spunky

The cute and happy couple oh and the birthday boy!

The Aftermath

Unfortunately, once all the fun is done, school still remains. BUT, I am nearing the end with midterms COMPLETE! That was a dreadful period of my life and I lived off of peanut butter crackers and coffee. I am very proud of one midterm though. This was the practical portion of my midterm for a class called Basic Instrumentation-Basic my Butt! We had to solder together the correct wires to the correct parts of a plug to make a working patch cord and measure the resistance to be sure it was soldered correctly. Then we had to make a parallel circuit with 3 resistors and measure/calculate the resistance, amperage, and voltage. Well, if any of you know, because I didn't until I had to google it, how to measure the current or amperage of a circuit.... you have to break the circuit! Luckily, I was able to manage without too much harm to my precious work of art.

Above: patch cord and parallel circuit (well, it's not a compete circuit until you connect it to a breadboard or some source of power)

NOW: on to building a loudspeaker for the loudspeaker competition for which we don't win anything if we win

**If anyone knows how to build a loudspeaker please contact me!

Blowing off some steam

As many of you know, from all of my complaints and tears, grad school has not been an easy run thus far. It would be extremely easy to give up and quit, but then where would that leave me and what would I have accomplished? NOTHING!

So, I have had to remind myself that nothing in life worth fighting for is ever easy and I have learned so much already.

I also have learned that its okay to have fun once in awhile... I prefer this method of blowing off steam

Erin, Crystal and myself enjoying a drink called Elk Water Creek downtown

A Bar with some ridiculous rules ... funny though

Frog Sperm and popcorn!!

Roommate and Classmates out for an adult beverage

Angie came to visit me!

There is a first for everything!

Well, lucky me! The Andersons were so generous to give both Stephanie and I a ticket to the Huskers 300th consecutive sellout game which also happened to be homecoming! It was a blowout game as the Huskers beat Louisiana Lafayette 55 to ZIP, but it was a wonderful experience!

Thank you so much Anderson Family!

Since then, I have also gone to the Nebraska vs. Oklahoma game. This was history in the making as Nebraska beat Oklahoma for the first time in a very long time! Too bad Oklahoma is missing their star quarterback, Sam... he is a heart throb! :)

V.I.P.

Yesterday, I started my first day of work in the State Office Building, next to the Capitol! It was a full 8 hour day with lots to do! First, I was brought to my GREAT cubicle!

I had some awesome office supplie

s waiting for me on my desk when I got there, which was quite exciting! I don't know

if it is all of the school I have completed and have yet to complete, but school/office supplies is something I look forward to buying

. And in my department, I don't have to buy them! I just have to head up to the 5th floor and pick out WHATEVER I WANT!!

Then, I got some more gifts! My boss gave me a tote bag that says EHDI (Early Hearing Detection and Intervention), a file organizer, a calendar, and some Jamaican Me C

razy coffee from another employee. And if you are observant, you will notice a huge exercise ball in my cubicle which was left there, courtesy of whoever left the office space.

I really do love it my cubicle, BUT the ladies behind me are very loud and I have a feeling that I will be moving. Everyone in my group says that I am so far aw

ay; maybe 15 feet from them. Oh and I am the youngest, newest person there with the biggest cubicle.

Anyway, I was introduced to about 20 people and I remember about 3 of them (the 3 in my group). Apparently, that was just the beginning of the introductions! Then, my boss showed me around the building, gave me a stack of

materials to read....

and talked to me about my position, his position, and

the responsibilities of the others on our floor.

So far I really enjoy my job even though I only have 1 day under my belt. BUT, I am excited to go back and help little babies and their families!

Downtown parking in Lincoln is limited and metered. Obviously, I can't plug up a 2 hour meter for 8 hours, so I have been taking the city bus. While I waited for 45 minutes for the bus to come (it was very late today) I took a picture of this building, across from the bus stop, which I just love!

Uninvited Guest

I have been waiting to post this story because pictures are necessary and until recently, the internet hasn't been up to speed. So, when I was religiously watching Big Brother, thank you Jymme-Lyn and Stephanie, I would get together with Erin from class to watch the new episodes.

Well, one evening during Big Brother, I was enjoying my glass of wine and Big Brother's house guests duel in ridiculous activities when in the corner of my eye I spotted something repulsive....

As my stomach fell to the ground, I gasped in utter fear, "OH. MY. GOD." Seeing me in complete upset, the spider crawled to MY bathroom, which was also its final destination when I sprayed it with an entire can of Raid... I was unable to use my bathroom for awhile as it aired out. Now my fear is how long that spider was really in our apartment and whether or not it had time to hide some tarantula eggs somewhere, like under my bed!

I am employed!

At least for my first year of grad school, I had planned to not work so I could focus on my studies and get used to a new atmosphere. Well, lately, I have been very concerned about the financial aspect; seeing money go out of my account while nothing is coming in! So, I applied for a couple of great jobs that came my way and both related to my field of study which is even better.

The first was a research assistantship position at Boys Town National Research Hospital for 2-3 years. It would be a lot of 'gopher' work and require a lot of time-20 hours a week plus an hour of driving time each way. However, I would be helping out with research, at a wonderful institution and in the Cochlear Implant Lab, which is my interest!... Too bad I didn't get that job.

No worries though because I did get a job working for the state of Nebraska, in Lincoln (only 2 miles from my apartment!). This is a temporary position, 1 year, BUT I have been told that I can work this position for 3 years; there are some technicalities that would have to be worked out.

My responsibilities at Nebraska Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program as

a Community Healthcare Educator:

For anyone who has had babies, you would know that your baby gets a Universal, Newborn Hearing Screening 24-48 hours after birth. This test is a pass or fail screening. All of this data would be sent to my location, my team, where we keep track of which babies pass or fail and put it into the state's data system. Then, we contact physicians and families to make sure the appropriate information and follow-up procedures are administered. Basically, we want to ensure that there aren't any children who fall through the cracks and don't receive assistance. Of course there are complications with this as well. Although the hearing screenings are wonderful and help provide early detection and intervention, some hearing losses may not be detected due to the type or the time of onset. Also, some parents don't continue to see the physicians or understand the consequences for failure to follow up. It is our team's duty to find these individuals and make sure they have adequate information to make the best decisions based on their child's possible or diagnosed hearing loss.

I will be starting my job the first part of October and I am very excited! Wish me luck!

Testing my knowledge or my skills under pressure?

I never imagined I would be studying so much and trying to keep myself busy at all times, but I have managed to do so. Graduate school has been good, very difficult, but good. In fact, I just completed my first grad school quiz! The 2nd and 3rd year grad students told us, no matter how well you know the information or how smart you may be, be prepared for 40%/F's on your quizzes in Physiological Acoustics. They say we won't fail the class, but just prepare to never get an A (the professor told us this as well). So, I took the quiz, and it was quite bizarre.

First, I was so nervous because I did NOT want to fail this quiz, I was determined! I had to take a deep breath and calm my nerves during the test, not realizing that at any moment, (after about 15 minutes) the professor would say, "alright hand them up and lets see what you thought". I was terrified because I thought I had 30 minutes to complete it...I didn't have time to go back and change some of my answers or reword them; he says, "use brevity and correct terminology". I didn't have enough time plus I was confused...was this a quiz or an in-class assignment?! AHH! As he shuffled through the papers, he said, "Kelly, tell us what you put for number 3." I was praying I had the correct response and even remembered what I wrote, but I guess I was on target.

I actually felt pretty good about the quiz, but who knows how particular he is in grading! As we discussed the quiz, I made sure to put in my 2 cents so despite what I wrote on paper, my professor would know I understood these abstract concepts and oddly worded questions.

I may be skinned alive

As the first UNL football game took place last night, most of the town found their place either at home, a bar, or the stadium to ogle over the game. Unfortunately, I was unable to get any tickets to take part in the brain washing, cult like, taking over the state, events. Okay, that was harsh, but true. Today, I was at target and I couldn't tell the Target employees (wearing red shirts) from the shoppers. Everyone was talking about the game; where their tailgating section was, where their seats were at, what they were going to wear, eat, etc. You get the point. It was a bit ridiculous but I will have to get used to this lifestyle.

Aside from not going to the game, I was unable to watch it from my apartment because it was only televised on Paper-view. So, I did the next best thing. I cooked some hot wings, popped the cap of a Bud-light Lime, put on my MIZZOU t-shirt and watched the MU game.

(Disclaimer: So, I took a picture of myself for the effect of my blog, ONLY. I do not sit around snapping photos of myself)

Yes, I know wearing a MIZZOU shirt in public in Lincoln is an automatic death sentence, however, I wasn't planning on going anywhere and my roommate (an avid huskers fan) was at the game. So as long as I replaced my shirt before she came back, I would not be shunned.

Well, I forgot.

After being harassed by a die hard huskers fan, I said, "what do you expect? I am from Missouri." Apparently, that is not a good excuse and she said, "Well, as long as you never wear that stuff in public and NEVER wear and Colorado attire, you might survive. I am loyal to one team only." (obviously UNL) So I supposed I should save my CU Buffs shorts, sweatshirt, and hat for a day when she is out of town or I am in St. Joe. I didn't feel it was appropriate to tell her I like the Buffs so that will be our little secret.

Now, don't get me wrong. I definitely support the Huskers, they are my team now...well, I am paying a lot of money to attend this school for 4 years of grad school so I might as well enjoy a community, excuse me, a STATE event. But, as most of you know, I am not die hard anything unless starburst jellybeans, my bed, or One Tree Hill are mentioned. Speaking of that, I wish I could be laying in my bed, watching One Tree Hill, while enjoying a bag of starburst jellybeans.

Anyway...

My point is, I support my home state team, MU and my school team, UNL. BUT I will have to put on my best poker face so no one sees that I am cheating on them and not fully committed to one or the other. (No, this does not suggest anything about my relationships; strictly my relationships with sports.) So wish me luck because if I am not good at hiding my allegiance with MU or wear the wrong team name in public, I could be harmed.

I'm a FROSH all over again

Well, I have officially begun Graduate School! And after 3 weeks, I am officially exhausted! I have always been studious, but not like this. Every night when I get done with a full day of classes, I come back to the apartment to study. BLAH!

I do believe there is such thing as studying too much, which I am already approaching. Maybe I am worried that if I don't study every night, I won't be prepared and I will fail in what my professors first lectured, "Be PREPARED!".

Well, preparation is overwhelming.

Right now, classes don't seem to be way over my head, but I have had my days when I think to myself, "How did I ever get accepted into Graduate School....they obviously weren't aware of what I DIDN'T know!"

Along with questioning my intellect, I am also starting to get lonely. I do have a roommate, but we have such differing schedules we don't see much of each other, which makes it difficult to get to know each other, making for awkward evenings. Due to how busy I have been getting organized and studying, I haven't had much of a chance to

explore Lincoln. At this moment, it feels like I have been at a long, out of town conference.

Luckily, my classmates and I get along really well and we spend a lot of time together. I have been carpooling with a couple of the girls to class, which has helped build relationships.

Now, on a positive note...what I have seen of Lincoln has been very nice and a lot

of fun. The other graduate students took us 'babies' to dinner at Old Chicago at the Haymarket, which was a great way to see the area and socialize with the rest of our group. Hopefully, as time continues and I get into a rhythm, I will venture out and have more to say!

To ease the tension, the girls and I took a study break...

P.S. I may refer to my class as 'girls' but there is one guy, Alex/Al. He just got married and spends every moment with his wife so there probably won't be any pictures of him with us.

Can't get enough of California

We ventured out back; literally in the back yard and this is what we found...an OLD movie set!

What a nice morning hike and no snakes to be seen!

I wish we all could be California girls

I really enjoy our trips out to California. Not only is it ALWAYS great to see Scott, Jymme-lyn, William and Harrison

but it is also fun to explore the huge state. We really have done quite a bit:

Disneyland

Santa Monic

a Pier and beach

Hiking

L.A. Zoo

Aquarium

Farmer's Mark

et

Malibu

Tourist Day-Los Angeles Walk of Fame, Hollywood sign, Beverly

Hills

Shopping (must I really add this?)

Can't forget In-N-Out Burger and the list goes on!

This particular trip was very exciting but also difficult because I probably won't be able to vis

it as often as I have been able to with graduate school beginning. Unfortunately, my summers will be booked from now on and I will only be able to manage the usual Christmas and Spring Break trips. Luckily, w

e all have access to SKYPE, so we can chat and see each other whenever we choose. I must say, if it weren't for technology, I tr

uly would feel out of touch with my family.

I have noticed how Will and Harry may be extremely mean to each other one moment and then the next, you catch them having a precious moment. Will was giving Harry little drops of "pop" (actually water) by placing the straw on Harry's tongue.

They

both thought this was hilarious!

The also like to cause

mischief together

...when it is quiet, something devious is happening

Like, playing in Belle's water dish and drinking from it

But, they are both hard workers and Will is especially fond of yard work. He is always lending a helping hand to Scott

Sometimes though, mowing the yard (or cleaning the grass) gets exhausting, but Will never leaves a job undone....

To be continued....