GENETICS...

Yesterday was my first Genetics course. I was pleased with the first class--most of it was introduction & then SURPRISE, the professor gave us a quiz to see whether or not we should be in that class. It was a 'weeding out' tool, no doubt. I can finally say with a sigh of relief--I passed the quiz (which had to be a 70% or above) & will be allowed to stay in the course. WHEW! I was really nervous to check & I'm not sure what my score was because she just posted Pass/Fail. It was a quiz on our previous biology/genetics experience & whether or not we had reviewed the first chapter before class! Our professor seems really outgoing & friendly, she's also a part-time kickboxing instructor, so I do believe I'll think twice before getting into too much mischeif in class! ha.

I think this will be a very interesting course (though I'm not sure I'll love it as much as my Anatomy & Physiology II course), but it will provide my brain with a great challenge. I am also anxious to be able to understand the specifics on how genes are inherited & what determines dominance, & so on. I am also excited about the ethical discussions we will be having. There are many ethical & moral debates on genetics & its research; from stem cell research, to genetic testing, cloning, & even the ability to 'repair' certain genes. We will be carrying on discussions, as part of our grade, on the on-line discussion board for our class. I'll keep you posted on our current debates as I think they will be quite interesting. Maybe I'll even get to learn some things about my own genes!!!

My Anatomy & Physiology class is going very well & I actually really look forward to going. We had our first big quiz/mini-test on Tuesday. I think I did pretty well. I have to give a big THANK YOU to Dr. Baker--as he taught me quite a bit of stuff during my time with him, especially on the endocrine system, so I haven't had to study as much as I normally would have to...YET! (smile)

Uncle Fred is hanging in there, poor guy. They have now decided that 2 days a week he will be going to one of the Hospice Houses here in town to receive some whirlpool therapy & to allow my Aunt (his wife) to have some rest. She is getting extremely exhausted, afterall, she is 84. So, I hope that will provide both of them with a little bit of relief.

I've been working for my Dad & it is going well. It is getting to be his extremely busy time with tax season here--so I try to keep an eye on him! (SMILE) I am just working for him for the tax season because he needed the help & I needed a job with flexible hours---so it worked out well for both of us. I am doing data entry, answering the phones, minor accounting things, & taking care of the clients when they call & come in. It is fun having so much interaction with people--I love it, but it has taught me that accounting & sitting at a desk all day are NOT meant for me long-term. I get to 'antsy.' Plus, we all know how I just love working with numbers, OR NOT!

I am calling it a night early tonight...so I'm off to bed. I have class in the morning & must get there even earlier than usual to even get a parking space (and I thought BC was bad.) So, I'm going to be there an hour before class to get a space & have extra time to study & read before class--my eyes just cannot read anymore tonight.

Hope everyone is doing well. The temperature wasn't too bad today--shocking! I'm dreaming of Spring days & a time when I don't have to wear multiple layers just to go get the mail! (SMILE) But the snow, it is beautiful!!!!!

GOODNIGHT....