sjoh197

That's funny... sometimes I wonder if the only reason I got in is because I'm a girl and they have a quota to fill.

The worst part is that my mom is and was a good cook. Those were long, stressful days. And she really did dry the shit out of that chicken. But man is her thanksgiving spread to die for. Last year her turkey was so juicy that we couldn't even move it out of the turkey pan onto the platter because it just disintegrated when we tried to pick it up. It was some delicious turkey. Does anyone here remember poor people ground beef... You know, the ground turkey in a plastic tube thing. Mix that in with hamburger helper and you were living like a Rockefeller.

Hard prepping for my mountain adventure in 2 weeks... Twice a day stair steppin it at full tilt and resistance with my backpack on. I think I'm getting there. Lol. Anyone else got any fun adventures coming up soon?

Well, I don't know a lot about Canadian universities, but there is a sub-3.0 gpa forum in the lobby that has some good info. I too had extenuating circumstances in my undergrad career and they were briefly mentioned in my SOP. Many universities are understanding of events that are out of your control. However, after said circumstances occurred, I had a proven track record of "forward motion" in which I showed significant improvement and also showed that my grades beyond the difficult times were still good. A 2.0 is awfully low, but if you can manage to excel in the rest of your application, you could still have a shot. I second talking with professors and counselors. Also...work experience related to your graduate pursuits often beefs up your application quite a bit.

Well.... Prince died.

I've been incorporating more and more non-meat proteins, such as chickpeas, split peas, nuts... etc. I like taking the dannon light and fit vanilla yogurt... the big one, and making chia seed parfaits with them. If you mix in the chia seeds and let it sit for a few hours, or overnight, it completely transforms into awesome deliciousness. I'm sure nobody actually cares, but I keep a pretty good recipe list on pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com/sjohn19999/dinners/ https://www.pinterest.com/sjohn19999/lunch/

We thought about moving down there, but went with moving to hermann park area instead. I like to use the Houston crime map to gauge an area... here's the link. https://www.crimereports.com/map?CRSearch=Houston,%20TX I too would probably stay off of Holly Hall. I don't know much about the condo's in the area, although I've heard that IMT medical center are supposed to be okay apartments.

I have had some canned meats... although to be honest... it was mostly just that god awful flash frozen chicken. If I remember correctly, it was something like 7 dollars for a huge bag. We lived in a tiny little trailer in a trailer park, so no garden for us. In fact, no real yard for us lol. I have so many dietary restrictions now that I can hardly eat anything cheap other than rice. But I've learned how to cook very healthy in an affordable manner. Mostly veggies, fruits, rice, yogurt, and chicken and pork. I found a pound pork loin roast on sale for $3.50 yesterday. Score.

I grew up in abject poverty outside of detroit. And it always tickles me when I hear that people think they are poor because they can't afford something they "want". Being poor is not being able to afford things you need. My mother used to buy the bags of flash frozen chicken, chicken flavored rice and a can of corn or green beens split between 4 people. She would always dry the shit out of that awful chicken when she cooked it... and we ate it like almost every day for 4 years. She would often eat less just so us kids could eat. I remember having holes in my tennis shoes in the winter.

I second researching the code of conduct requirement... if ACU or any of the other schools you are looking at are indeed similar to BYU, you could have to sign codes stating you will not drink, smoke, etc (not just on campus, but anywhere), or engage in any form of premarital sex. and some will even ban you from going to R-rated movies. The list goes on. If this is not your lifestyle, it's definitely something to think about.

My mother went to a private christian college. If you are not religious... it may be a bit difficult for you to fit in with your peers, depending on the school. There is often a dress code... not just to class but just for being on campus. My mother was required to wear heels, stockings, and a long dress or skirt every day. Apartments on campus were monitored. No one of the opposite gender was allowed to stay the night. Also... the classes were obviously very incorporating of the religion. If this is something you are considering, I would definitely think about whether you are prepared mentally to deal with a "culture" that you don't actually associate with. I personally couldn't do it, but then again, I am very anti-religion, which you are obviously not.

I shit you not. Or in more propery literary terms... One would not be shitted.

well, I'm finally home after flights to 3 different cities, and helping move a 24 ft budget truck from Detroit to Tampa to move my aging grandparents to a swanky retirement community. In with all their crap, I managed to find a priceless 50 cent off coupon for hash browns that expired in 1988.

Ah... Im so used to 2 kitties that love each other

Although keeping them in the pen is fine... Keeping them in the bathroom for petting/attention time is usually good too. Gives them some comfort without giving them endless places to hide.

Oh btw... great conversation with my grandmother this week. Me: "I'll be in school this fall. I'm going to grad school." Grandmother: "Oh, are you getting a Masters?" Me: "Nope, a PhD." Grandmother: "Is Mr. sjoh197 ok with that?" Me: (in my head) "No grandma... we didn't even talk about. " No even a congrats or anything... just "Is the man in your life ok with that?

The good news is that if you do need to take one out... there are people at your university who can help you and talk you through it. Just make sure to still fill out your fafsa every year in case you need it. Most people who are flustered or drowning took out significant loans. I took out 9 grand in loans in my early undergrad... and my repayment is only $90 a month. And that's not on the income based plan that some people get. You are already really ahead of the curve on having no undergrad debt. If you end up taking out some small loans... it won't cripple you. Just be realistic on how much you can really afford. There are plenty of articles online that help gauge how much is realistic. And there's always the debt wizard below. https://mappingyourfuture.org/paying/debtwizard/index.cfm#debtWizard

My mother is in the process of refinancing her house to a lower interest rate down to a 15 year from a 30 year... and apparently she had done so well with her money for so long, that they could only pull up 3 years of credit record for her. She was like "I've been paying my mortgage for over a decade... how can I not have sufficient credit report." And she's almost never missed a payment on anything in her life. Makes you question the system a bit.

Eww... noooo. If you don't have a legitimate nursery anywhere near you... at least go to lowes or home depot. Anywhere but walmart. And if there is a legit nursery near you, you will find significantly better options for indoor plants. Might I suggest some corkscrew rush, or a nice unglittered norfolk pine. An aged jade plant is pretty good too. And if you find you really like the indoor plant scene... there are plenty of nice bonsai you can get for the indoors... although they typically take more time, care, and skill.

I would post down in the Earth Science forum. The people there could help you better.

Man.. that would be nice. Our rent, utilities, and electric are all separate. And then there's the cell phone, and then the internet, and then the credit card, and then my student loan, and then the car insurance, and the hsa deductions... it never ends. At one point we had 3 different credit card bills (all my partners poor early life choices) and it was such hell to try to keep track of. Now I've got it down to 1.

This. My partner doesn't drive... and his taxes fund the roads and public transportation equally (well proportionally) despite the fact that he only uses one. That doesn't make driving on roads a luxury. We don't have children... and don't plan to. But our taxes help fund children's education. That doesn't make basic education a luxury. Neither of us has ever to my knowledge been a small 4 legged furry child... but our tax dollars pay for the shelters in our city (which they should - poor kitties). Doesn't make helping defenseless animals a luxury. Just like grad school... none of these things are necessary to survive and are perks of living in a developed country. But that doesn't make them luxuries.

It's a luxury because she doesn't have one. lol To be fair... her taxes would pay for my mother's pension and part of her health insurance policy, if she was a resident of her state.. since my mom is a state employee. And the last time I checked, my mother's job was not a luxury.

Lol... I have to manage our entire household bills... and sometimes I wonder how I manage to not lose/forget stuff. I've got our bills plotted out for months in advance, and I'm always worried I'll miss one and affect our credit scores.

My go to herbs are rosemary, thyme, peppermint, and lemongrass. All easy to grow and use.