A Heavyweight Bout

I feel like I just completed the 10th round of a heavyweight boxing match -- not that I would know what that feels like since I'm more like a welterweight or featherweight. I'm battered and bruised, but I'm still on my feet and standing. I'm smack dab in the middle of the first round of tests at school and I've been studying my butt off trying to make the highest grade possible.

Today was my biology test which didn't disappoint in the difficulty column if you know what I mean. My pep talk this morning to myself sounded something like this -- "Burke, just relax. You can do it. You've studied hard now just clear your mind and think. This will not be the hardest test you will take over the next four years." You might be thinking to yourself....he was going along good until that last sentence. I know its true but I don't know why my conscience had to state the obvious.

As for my test, I don't think I kicked its butt, nor do I think it kicked mine. It was more like a couple of championship heavyweights dualing it out until the final round. Now, it is up to the judges (my teacher) and their score sheets (my scantron) to determine who won.

Back to studying....I've got one more test to go tomorrow. It's Chemistry -- they are not getting any easier.

Beverage of Choice

There are three beverages that are a staple in my nutrious diet. Here they are in no random order...I'm thinking about walking around with three permanent IVs so that I can experience this pure goodness all day long.

Pure Goodness

There is nothing that says, "Keep studying late into the night young man, I've got your back" like a venti Pike Place brew double cupped with no room, a Slurpee from 7-Eleven, and a Route 44 Vanilla Dr. Pepper from Sonic during Happy Hour every day from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

When you are feeling parched, what beverage do you go running for?

Life of a College Student

What comes to mind when you think about the daily schedule of a college student? You probably envision it going something like this.....sleep, wake up at 9 or 10, eat, attend a class or two, afternoon nap, study for 10 minutes just to keep yourself honest, hang out with friends, eat some more, late night partying with friends, back to sleep, and the process starts all over again.

I guess I'm anything but an ordinary college student. I wanted to give you an idea of what my normal day looks like now that I've decided to go back to school.

I wake up around 5:30 or 6:00, pack my lunch, grab some breakfast and I'm out the door. I have about a 30 minute drive from Keller to Arlington which I'm enjoying because its my "Burke time" before I start the day. Once I arrive on campus, I work out (you wouldn't even recognize me I'm so ripped....well, that's a little bit of an overstatement) and then head to class. I have a morning class every day, labs on Monday and Wednesday and I'm normally out of school by 12:30 every day. In between classes, I'm studying -- every minute is precious -- or blogging. :)

After school it's off to work. I'm working two jobs which keep me busy until about 7 or 7:30 at which time I head home for a quick bite to eat and then it's off to my room to study some more. I'm normally in bed by 11:00 and I've put a self imposed weekday curfew of midnight on myself.

I feel like I'm burning the candle at both ends right now, but I'm having a blast doing it. I feel like I'm more efficient now than I've ever been, because if I don't, I'll fall behind and it will not be pretty.

What's your normal day look like? Are you finding time for yourself amongst the busyness of school or work, taking the kids to soccer practice, social engagements, volunteering, etc?

I don't see it as selfish to take care of yourself every day. It's important. If you don't, you will be doing a disservice to those around you because you are so ineffective.

Make it a GREAT day!!!

Got a little story for ya....

Last week, I decided to walk on the wild side a little bit and wear my favorite Texas A&M shirt on campus. Now granted I'm not in the middle of Austin, TX but a UT system school is darn close. As I was walking to one of my brutal labs, a fellow student greeted me with a "Gig'em." Ahhhh....what? I was literally speechless. How could this happen? She was too far away before any words exited my mouth. I carried on about my day writing it off as a "chance" encounter or a fluke until I was greeted with another "Gig'em" from a completely different student on the other side of campus about an hour later. Are you kidding me? I was greeted politely not once but twice on a UT system school campus. I seriously thought I was imagining things which is very possible since my sleepy time has been diminished since returning to school.

All of my Longhorn friends might tell you differently, but I think deep down everyone who wears orange and white has a little Aggie in them. :) Okay...maybe that's a little bit of a stretch.

More from campus later on this week....

I'm back among the Blogosphere living!!!

I took a brief two week blog hiatus for my move back to Texas and the start of school. I think I've found a schedule that I can start to work with so blogging re-enters my daily to-do list. I appreciate all of my faithful blog readers who have contacted me asking me when my next post would be. I'm humbled that many of you would even take the time to read my blog on a daily and/or weekly basis.

By way of update, I just completed my second week of school and I'm truly enjoying every minute of it. I'm working two jobs and trying to make a 4.0. A lofty goal...yes...but what is the use of a goal if its not going to take some work to get there. I haven't really had any funny experiences during my time in school....YET. Just be patient and remember who is writing this post. Something is bound to happen to me sooner than later that makes you ask yourself -- did that really happen to him?

I'm currently sitting in one of my favorite airports -- Sky Harbor Airport. I'm a little nostalgic as I sit here thinking back on all of the flights I took out of this airport over the past year and half. I'm only here for a short while before I head to LA for a Malibu, CA wedding. Yes, it's beach time this weekend and I'm looking forward to a little fun in the sun and the sand. I'm sure I will have some great pictures to share from this weekend. Hopefully, I can catch some of those great California sunsets.

Keep checking back.....more regular updates to come!!