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!