I finally decided to update my resume...

I finally decided to update my resume and wouldn't you know - I can't remember the password to my computer. 😂😂😂😭😭😭

So I learned of the existence of polarized sunglasses the other day...

So I learned of the existence of polarized sunglasses the other day...

Just...

WOW.

I've been wearing prescription glasses with transition lenses FOREVER (since probably high school), so I haven't needed a pair of sunglasses in ages. The last time I knew anything about sunglasses is when I was a little kid and the lenses were dark and made everything dark.

For those of you who don't know - transition lenses don't transition when you're in the car and sometimes not in other bright-but-not-direct-sun situations, too. That's a bummer. Also, really bright sunlight can be a migraine trigger for me so that is super bad.

Needless to say I've ordered a pair of prescription polarized sunglasses from Zenni because there are a lot of times in my life that those would have been great to have. I'm really excited to get them. I'm still keeping my transition lenses for mostly indoor use, but yeah. Driving and going outside and even working with my plants in that bright space is about to get a whole lot easier. 😎

Y'all, yesterday was WILD.

Y'all, yesterday was WILD.  Don't get excited; I mean WILD by my standards.  😂

First of all I think that due to my anxiety medication I wasn't feeling especially anxious, but I could NOT sleep the night before my exam.  I tried.  I laid in bed with my eyes shut.  I took Melatonin.  I tried reading myself to sleep on a dark screen (that usually does it).  But nothing worked.  So yesterday - the morning of my test - I finally got out of my bed and all I had was brain fog.  GREAT start, Blu.

I studied a little here and there but overall tried not to stress myself.  I went to the kids house to take the exam because we have terrible internet out here in Talladega so I knew that wasn't going to work.  Kira was nice enough to let me use her bedroom (my old bedroom).  It was away from the TV as well as light and bright and familiar.

I'd taken tests for school with the teacher watching us via our built-in webcams thanks to the pandemic, but this exam required a separate webcam looking at us with a side view from about 6 feet away.  The setup required for that took some preparation.  We got it all set where it could see the things required and then I banished my phone to the living room with Shaun and the kids so I could log in and get started.

For anyone unfamiliar with online testing this exam was conducted using Sentinel - a software that basically locks down your computer screen to only the testing window.  That was all fine and good except that I waited for 45 minutes to be verified and checked in (more on that later) before I got bored of waiting and asked Shaun for my phone.  (Note that they said they were experiencing a high testing volume and that my wait could be more than 15 minutes.)  Upon getting my phone I checked my email and had received over 30 minutes prior a message stating that there was a problem with my connection and to contact tech support.

So I exited the browser and contacted tech support.  We did some troubleshooting with my webcams, she (THANKFULLY) rescheduled my exam for a few minutes away (instead of some other day), and I tried again.  Aaaand... my computer froze up entirely before I got to the testing window.  I waited, hoping it would un-freeze.  No such luck.  Finally, I restarted it and tried AGAIN.  Got much further in the process, but lost the connection again.  Shoot me.  I was just about to close the browser and contact tech support again when I got a message window with a person asking to verify me.  That was a whole thing.

Earlier we'd carefully set up so that the webcam could see me from 6 feet away.  The verification process didn't give a shit about that.  😂😂😂  Have you ever tried to look at a screen (to line up your face in a green box) and a 6-feet-away webcam (that has to see you up close) at the same time?  I called Shaun in the room to help me.  Then I had to show the webcam my ID... but they made us turn auto-focus off so that was a whole thing, too.  Then I had to use the webcam to show ALL of the room (walls, floor, ceiling, testing area... even my glasses) to be verified.  Finally, I had Shaun put it back about where we had it in the beginning so I could start my test.

Ok, as annoying as it was, all of that is good to know.  Next time I'll just have the external webcam at the top of my screen until after I show my face and my ID and pan around the room.  Maybe we'll just figure out where it needs to sit to see me the best and mark it with some tape beforehand so I'll know where to put it after all of the verification is done.

FINALLY, almost an hour and a half after my originally scheduled test time I started my test.  I knew ahead of time that the test had 60 questions and that to pass I needed 70%, or 42 questions correct (meaning I could miss 18).  I went through and did the ones I knew for sure and marked the others for review.  I had 23 that I wasn't sure on.  I basically logic-ed my way through those.  They don't give us a percent or a chance to see what we missed.  All I know is that I passed.

You would think that after ALL OF THAT I'd be celebrating.  Well, I was happy but I also know that I get let-down migraines after a stressful time is over so I came prepared with my medication.  I already had a headache creeping in so I took it and Shaun got us some tasty food to celebrate and then I basically crashed out.  After no sleep the night before and the stress of even getting to the exam - much less the taking of it - I was done for.  I texted a few people and that was it for me.  I slept SO LONG, but I needed it.

Now I'm off to water some plants and chill.  I would like to update my resume and all that, but it can wait.  I have thirsty plants and I've spent too much time on the couch (studying) as it is.  So today is a good day to move my body, I think.  I hope you all are doing well!  ❤

I passed!

I passed!

I got my System Administrator Certification!!!

Kind of graphic but she's ok.

TRIGGER WARNING:  Graphic Photos, Animal... Discomfort?
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Kind of graphic but she's ok. It's just too interesting not to share.

I scanned the comments and got the story:

This girl was eating a rabbit and her tooth got stuck in it - causing her head to be swallowed (into her own self) with it. 😳😳😳 She righted herself after a while without her human having to help. He said he wouldn't have known what to do, anyway.

I'm glad she survived. I wonder how often this happens...

Snakes are weird. I don't know what I'd do if I found our Bruce in this situation. Probably call 911. 😂😂😂

Credit:  Luke Roland Martin on Facebook

I've been studying hard...

I've been studying hard for my certification and the exam is tomorrow. It's going to have 60 questions. When making flashcards for myself I ended up with over 450; if I'm over-prepared then so be it. I want it BAD. I know what job I want and I'm going hard for it.

I know the material really well and I understand it so I'm feeling good. If I fail I'll try to make a mental note of where I messed up and try again (you don't get feedback). But hopefully that doesn't happen because I can't really see how it's possible I've missed any material. I've been thorough and read the book several times.

Anyway... if I've been quiet - that's why. I hope you all are well! ❤️

Ok, so I'm wondering what in the world I said...

Ok, so I'm wondering what in the world I said to make Facebook advertise this to me. 😂😂😂 I mean, yeah, they hit the nail on the head with Lume Deodorant and the Binder Clip handbag that I couldn't live without, but... I'm not into jewelry, metal, or touching things I'm not going to eat or kiss to my lips / mouth (lip balm excluded) so this is way out in left field. Maybe they just used me for free advertising... 🤔🧐🤯