Number one.
Talking to another student about her interest in painting.

Her: I can’t draw, but I can paint.
Me: What kinds of things do you paint?
Her: I actually just finished this one painting at my apartment. I used to paint at my apartment a lot, but I’m moving to another apartment now and I had to put all my paintings into storage until I move.
Me: ::nods::
Her: My roommates don’t approve of my lifestyle.
Me: ::pause:: Because you paint?
Her: No. They just found out I’m gay, so they’re kicking me out.

Being kicked out of an apartment for being gay (or not gay, for that matter) seems pretty silly, but maybe just a little less silly than me thinking she was being asked to move out because she paints.

Number two.
While drawing a new naked old guy in class today, I realized there was something missing on both models. On their heads, they were both slightly balding. Their bodies, however, were completely bald. It took me about 5 combined hours of looking at them to notice it though. Duh.

For the next two weeks, we are working on figure drawing in my drawing class. Figure drawing consists of nude models, either male or female, who pose on a platform in the center of the classroom. Poses include sitting, standing, stretching, bending, and lunging. Yes, ew. Now, I’ve had a few figure drawing classes before, so I’ve studied a few nude models before. But, today’s session raised a question I’ve been unable to answer.

I understand boobs. Women get older, and boobs stretch. They don’t get bigger, they get… longer. Does this same principle apply to men? See, the model we had today was an older guy. I’m guessing 60-70ish. But, if the age=length principle applies to men, then I would have to say that this guy was much older than he looked. MUCH OLDER.

I don’t often feel overwhelmed with mommy stuff, but I have a feeling this week is the beginning of things to come. Monday is now Math Pentathlon day at the boys’ school. Tuesday and Wednesday are Tae Kwon Do days. Thursday is piano lesson day. And Fridays are always half days. I should consider myself lucky that my boys are the same age and are involved in the same activities. I don’t know how mothers with children in lots of different activities manage it all.

I took my 19th century art history midterm exam yesterday. It was supposed to be two comparison essays, one short essay, and one long essay from a list of five questions we were given ahead of time. I think she must have forgotten that I still needed to take the exam because she didn’t bring an exam with her. Instead, she told me to choose three of the five questions were had already gotten, and write on those. Two and a half hours later (twice the length of my normal class time) I finished the third essay. Essay one is three pages. Essay two is two pages. And essay three is just under two pages. I think I did well, but I know I could have done better. Honestly, after that second hour, I just wanted to be done with it, so I kinda rushed that last essay. So I don’t know whether I had an advantage or disadvantage with the three essays.

Next Thursday is my next 20th century art history exam. I think I now understand why so many people are unwilling to take the two history classes concurrently.

When it comes to attendance, my entire college career has been the same. I will either have perfect attendance for the entire semester, or I will miss so many days, I jeopardize my grades. This semester has been the latter.

It started with a Wednesday I took off from my ceramics class a few weeks ago to prepare for my two art history exams the next day. I would call this studying, but the little memorization tricks I use to do well on an exam hardly qualify as studying. My professor was completely understanding and even supportive of my decision, though I feel a little guilty for taking advantage of her generosity.

Last week, I wasn’t feeling very well, so I missed Tuesday, Wednesday, and half of Thursday. I’m good at making myself physically ill when the real problem is something more mental. Basically, when I feel like a total failure and feel like quitting life, my body takes on all kinds of cold-like symptoms. Yes, I’ve had a mentally unstable moment or two during this lifetime, but then, who hasn’t? Anyway, I ended up missing a few more days. I’m very behind in ceramics, but like always, my prof is very understanding. I missed two drawing classes, but surprisingly, it didn’t put me behind at all. What I really hated missing was my art history lectures. Missing lectures means I have to open my art history book. And probably read it. But that’s what I get for having a three day pity party.

Then came Sunday. Jacob had been complaining of a sour throat and running a low-grade fever off and on all day on Saturday. I woke up with the worst sore throat of my life that night. A not-so-quick trip to urgent care the next morning confirmed my suspicions. Jacob and I had strep throat. We were told we could not return to school until at least 48 hours after starting our medication. Jacob missed his Halloween party at school, and wasn’t able to go trick-or-treating. I missed ceramics class yet AGAIN, my drawing class AGAIN, and art history AGAIN. I was supposed to take my midterm exam in my art history class on Tuesday.

SEVEN MORE WEEKS.