Author Archives: Christene

I Need to Slow Down

A few days ago I wrote about how pleasantly surprised I was at my high math scores on the practice GRE despite the fact that I haven’t actually done math in many years. The few mistakes I was making were silly calculation mistakes that could be easily remedied.
 
Six practice tests later I am still making the same mistakes. This is a problem. Yes I am glad I remember the concepts, and am using the right formulas. It is far easier to correct inattentiveness than to learn entire theories. Unfortunately on a multiple choice test a wrong answer is a wrong answer.
 
The GRE people don’t care if I accidentally inverted a positive and negative sign on the third step using the quadratic formula. I don’t get points for having remembered which formula to use in the first place.
 
I know I am only missing a couple of questions per section, but on a section of only 20 questions missing two or three is actually quite egregious.
 
My problem is time. I am not using enough of it. I am given 35 minutes per section. I am finishing in 15 or less. I try not to look at the clock so I don’t worry about it, but then by not looking at the clock I panic thinking I am running lower on time than I actually am, and I rush. And that is when the careless mistakes happen.
 
A couple dozen more practice tests should fix the problem. 

Royals

So I have had this song stuck in my head for almost two weeks. KCRW seems to be playing it religiously, and I am finding myself coming home still humming it in my head.

Although the lyrics are very nice, it is the catchy beat that is doing it. And Lorde has an amazing voice. So yeah… I have been listening to it on repeat almost every night.Recently I started playing it for the kids in the mornings. They both sing along to it.

This morning in the car it came on the radio again. This is the conversation I had with Ally after the song was over.

Her: Mommy make it play again.
Me: I can’t. That was on the radio.
Her: Make them play it again, Mommy!
Me: I wish I could, but it went away. We have to wait until it comes on again.
Her: It went away?
Me: Yes, it is gone for now.
Her: Where?
Me: Into the radio.
Her: Where? I don’t see it.

In the event that you too would like to have this stuck in your head, here it is.

Frustrated and Confused

So I am apartment hunting and it is frustrating as all Hell. I am generally pretty mild tempered, but right now I am about to throw my laptop out of a window.

I find a description of an apartment I like, and then they have 24 pictures of the pool area. Regardless of what my daughter will tell you, I am not a mermaid. I don’t live in water. I want to see what the actual apartment looks like. I am well aware that whatever pictures the company will post will be highly skewed in their favor, but at least I would like an idea. If you are not showing me the apartment I will suspect there is something wrong with it. Why aren’t you showing me the apartment???

Then some companies, in lieu of showing me pictures, will post floor plans. Fine. Please name your rooms accordingly. I don’t know what a retreat is. I don’t know what a preparation area is either. Kitchen? Bedroom? What function does that room serve??? Is that even a room? Is that a doorway you are trying to show with arrows and hyphen looking squiggles? And what is that small thing over there? Nevermind. I give up.

Don’t even get me started on the people who actually show the apartments. Apparently most leasing offices are open during usual business hours. Um… you mean when I am at work? If you ask me it would make more sense if they showed these things when me, and the general population who can actually afford these apartments, are not at work. Like, I don’t know, Saturdays? Maybe?

And then the amenities and policies. Washer and dryer? Yes. Yes what? In unit? In general area? Just a hook-up? What? My old apartment had a washer and dryer in the actual unit. They weren’t the best, but it was far better than trying to go elsewhere. Pets? Some are acceptable. Which ones? I am not expecting you to list all of the exotic pets people could have, but a basic yes/no on dogs and cats would be nice. Is there a pet deposit? Seriously, do I have to tell you how to run your business?

So from what I am gathering, all of the places I am interested in have very nice pools (day or night), most have gym/work-out areas, their lobbies are spotless, and the buildings look very well kept from the outside. Uh huh.