Monday, February 2, 2009

It's not February!

It can't be. Not yet. I am living in denial.

I'm afraid that I am officially old. Why? Because "old people" (by which I mean anyone older than I am) have always told me that time flies. And I never believed them. But now I do, and that's a scary thing.

When I was little, I was always asking my mom for things to do (with a qualifying statement quickly thrown in: "BESIDES work or school!"). Lately, I haven't had that problem. In fact, some things I'd really like to do have been thrown aside because I have no time. Yes, such as blogging.

I really was going to try to post every week this year...but (at the risk of stating the obvious) it hasn't been happening.

However, I do have a great excuse: I had to finish Saxon Algebra 2 by January 30th at midnight. (A goal my mom and I had set). Typical Jessica style, I put it off until it could be put off no longer (math and I don't get along very well), and then crammed fifty-four lessons into a couple weeks. My sister, Erika (http://www.lordsheritage.blogspot.com/ -- but don't go there because she just put up an embarrassing video starring yours truly) said "Jess, only you would try to finish eight lessons in one day!" I believe the word "procrastination" would apply here.

It's done now, though. (Finished with exactly 44 minutes to spare...that was close!) I would have liked to throw it out my window (do you have any idea how much I would enjoy that?! It would serve that book right for all the times it made me cry!), but unfortunately some of my siblings need to use it, so I can't.

I am happy to say, though, that I have learned that algebra is not hard. Saxon said so, on page 365: "Some people say that unfamiliar concepts are difficult concepts and that familiar concepts are easy concepts. These people have confused the words difficult and different. We have found that algebraic concepts that seem difficult at first are really just different, and they become familiar concepts after we have worked with them for a while. Thus we can correctly say that algebra is not difficult--it is just different."

Thank you, Mr. Saxon. I'm glad we have that little misconception cleared up. (sarcasm)

Honestly, though, I feel sorry for the guy. (Can you imagine how many kids are upset with him at any given moment?) I looked him up just now because I was curious about what he was like. He looks like a friendly guy, but I know better. Just kidding.

I think I'm starting to ramble, and I'm realizing this post is rather strange, so I will stop now.

I've recently a couple good books, and I will try post reviews of those soon. IF I ever get around to writing them. (I tend to procrastinate--have I mentioned that before?--and I sometimes start things and never

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Ooh! Loved this post Jessica! :P I love rambling posts... they just kind of go here and there, but they're so fun to read!
Oh wow... Saxon... that is the most EVILEST thing on the planet. :P We used to use Saxon, but we switched to something else.
I dunno if you were serious about the math making you cry, but I'm really that way. Seriously, if I don't understand something... it just frustrates me. A LOT. :P And don't you just wish that you could toss things out the window sometimes? :P
Anyways, congrats on finishing Algebra 2!! :D Algebra is awful. And hopefully after college you won't have to touch anything else with Algebra in it... unless you're helping your kids out one day with it. ;-)
Enjoyed the post!!

~Madison

Anonymous said...

Oh thank you Madison! I'm glad you liked it.

I definitely was serious about math making me cry. I don't cry very often, but when I do, it's usually tied to math somehow!

What curriculum did you switch to? I have to do one more math course before I graduate (geometry) and I'm not sure if Saxon has that, or what I should do.

Thanks again! :)

P.C. said...

Good for you that you finished your math book by the deadline.

Emily said...

'You know you are a homeschooler when you quote from your math book...' :)

Anyway, I know what you mean about math making you cry! For the longest time Saxon was all homeschoolers had to use for math, but now there so many options. And I use Teaching Textbooks-- you should check it out.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Peter.

Haha, that's a good one Emily! I will check out Teaching Textbooks...someone else was telling me about them, too. Thank you!

Rachel said...

Hey Jess! Is there anywhere I can go to follow you blog?

Anonymous said...

Yup...on the right side of the blog, there is a list of followers. (after "My Blog List" and "My Favorite Websites") You could just click on "Follow this blog."

Rachel said...

Ok. I'm a follower now. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

math makes me want to scream, not cry!
Annie

P.C. said...

It is truly "not February" now.

Anonymous said...

I came to the blog to specifically say/write that Peter! Great minds think alike. That's okay though...Annie

Anonymous said...

Okay, okay, I get the hint!! I will try to post something today. You guys made me laugh. :D