Compostable Kate

I've lost friend s over my personal views about “not doing” Christma s, but it's just as well that I'm not into Christmas in a big way, as I am totally skint at the moment, and can't even afford postage for Christmas cards. I'm hanging onto my home internet connection by the skin of my teeth, so may be able to send out a few virtual seasonal greetings, although I'll probably just tweet something (it shows up on facebook, too, you see). If I submitted to the social pressure of Christmas I would be feeling even worse than I already do about being so poor, and so far away from my family. I can't afford cards, or gifts, or festive food, or any kind of party or gathering*, and can really appreciate why this is such a difficult time of year for many people. Of course, I miss my family at this time of year, and if I had the money I would definitely travel to go and see them. If I had the money I would probably also send them gifts, because I love them a...

This is my own, personal story of my disability and how I have chosen to manage it. My thoughts and choices are in no way a judgement on anyone else's thoughts and choices.    I acquired my painful hip condition in my mid-20s, just after I had started as an undergrad at uni (I was a “mature” student, after failing school and going out to work instead), and started using a wheelchair after about six months of increasing pain and decreasing mobility (I was trying to keep going with my studies). I went through a lot of specialists (you name it, I've probably seen one), only to have no-one able to come up with a specific diagnosis for me. I have lots of weird stuff showing up on MRIs, bone scans, blood tests and x-rays, but nothing that can be put together and conveniently labelled. I was eventually referred to a rheumatologist, someone who specialises in joint issues. I saw the Professor Rhuematologist, and in our first meeting he angered me by saying that he thought my dis...

If I'm not studying, it's generally because I'm stuffing around, procrastinating. I don't know why I do this, and although I know I do this, I can't seem to stop myself. I have to go through I certain amount of time-wasting activity before I can sit myself down and apply myself to my work. This is usually about the time that I only have half the time I need to complete the assignment that's already late. Go, me. Procrastination activities are often also things that I put off doing until I have something else to do that I want to do even less. I may have already procrastinated to avoid one of my future procrastination activities. I am a many-layered, multi-leveled procrastinator. Most common procrastination activities: 1. Sleeping . I never need a nap more than when I have an assigment due. 2. Eating . I read once that we think better when we're chewing. 3. Playing Scrabble/Words with Friends on facebook . It's not fair to keep people waiting. ...

I still have doubts about my ability to pass this course, but at least now I am physically managing this uni lark. For the first couple of weeks, if I wasn't at class I was asleep. The physical effort of getting around campus, sitting in my wheelchair all day, and all that concentrating (and confusion) were exhausting. Because I was so tired, and so asleep, I was behind in reading and assignment preparation from the outset. I was also hampered by not having any text books until 2 weeks into the semester (I had no money until then) and my chronic inability to focus or apply myself to studying outside of classes. Now that I am in Week 5, I am much more accustomed to the physical requirements, and my fatigue levels seem to be similar to when I was working (ie tolerable). Although it's come too late to get any of my first assignments in on time (I have extensions for all three; one since submitted), I am at least in a position to try to catch up. I no longer have to sleep until F...

I have up to three cats on my lap/desk/laptop and/or printer, with Miss Pepper the kitten or King Fred attacking anything that comes out of it! The dogs can't decide whether they want to be inside or out! I have foxtel (with extra channels I don't have at home), an extensive DVD collection and Wii for my entertainment. I have twitter and facebook in front of me on the laptop... I can curl up on the very comfy couch for a nap with up to 6 warm furkids. I am a world class procrastinator.... I need to go back to my place (I'm currently house-sitting for most of the aforementioned cats and dogs) to pick up paper and a book I left behind. I'm finding the avalanche of new information overwhelming, not to mention having all three of my first assignments due next week (one on Monday, two on Friday). Oh, and I'm in excrutiating pain from my right hip (the left is also painful as usual, but my right side has been extraordinarily painful for the past week or ...