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!