My 50 Hour Workweeks

This Fall I'm taking 3 classes: Genetics, Organic Chemistry, and Calculus. Two of which have 3 hour labs. The other is my all time weakest subject. All of this, along with welcoming the birth of our son.
If I can't have more hours in a day, I'm creating the perception of more time by dividing my day into 15 minute sectors. There are only 24 blocks worth of hours in one day, but there are 96 blocks worth of 15 minutes. Take that, time!
I'm deciding to actually utilize the functions of a phone. After spending hours in excel, I went onto iCloud and typed up my schedule in the calendar with corresponding alarms, told it to repeat certain classes and study sections, and made it stop on the last day of school. It was then automatically sent to my phone. The result is a pocket receptionist who diligently directs my day keeping me on track.

Here's my new schedule in excel:

And here's a section of my new schedule in my phone:

Another view finishing off Tuesday:

I have it set up so that alarms transition me from task to task. Example: I'm studying O. Chem, and an alarm that says "Lunch" will go off. I know to close my O. Chem book, and begin walking home for lunch. I will get home within 15 minutes, just in time to begin lunch. 45 minutes later, another alarm will go off saying "Genetics", and I know it to mean lunch is over and it's time to walk to school getting me to class about 10 min. early. M-F is dedicated to school, while the weekends are left open for the sake of family, friends, and sanity.

If this looks crazy, that's because it kind of is. It's just under 50 hours of lecture, lab, and study. I've seen different references as far as average work weeks go for Men in the U.S. all ranging from 40 to 50 hours/week. The point isn't to be the "average man", rather, the point is that weeks like this have been done by many people, so maybe this isn't too ludicrous. I've asked for a priesthood blessing this Sunday to give me the strength, drive, and counsel necessary to keep up with it. As Thomas S. Monson once stated, "Do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to your tasks".

Here goes...

Baby Update

Mom: Sarah Zimmerman
Baby: Sawyer James Zimmerman
Due Date: Monday, Oct. 22, 2012
Weeks Pregnant: 33
Months Pregnant: Over 8
Total Weight Gain: 25 lbs.
Baby Weight: A little over 4 lbs
Baby Length: More than 17 inches
Fruit Comparison: Pineapple
Cravings: Ice water. Do not give this woman any liquids without cubes of ice in it.
Dislikes that were once loves: Salmon
Recent Doctor Visit: Because Sarah and I are different bloods types (she's O-, and I'm A+) she had to get a shot to protect baby in case he is a positive blood type. If, for whatever reason, Sarah's and Baby's blood mixes, this shot will help prevent her blood from fighting off baby as if he were an infection. Sarah also found out that her Iron level is low and is now taking Iron pills. As far as baby, he's still on track. The diameter of her belly is as it should be, and his heartbeat is at a good rate.


Sarah's feet and hands are pretty much always swollen now, to the point that her wedding ring no longer fits. I asked her if she ever feels insecure or self conscious about any weight gain or her growing belly, to which she replied, "I mean, at the beach, sure. But otherwise not really. I love being pregnant. I love my belly."

Here's what we have of her growing belly:

 4 Months

5 Months

 6 Months

 7 Months

8 months pregnant and still a hottie.

Her plan as far as working and giving birth is as follows: We hope, and this was her idea, that her water breaks while she's at school. She's not worried about it happening in front of her 2nd graders, and actually thinks that would be pretty funny. In a teachers voice, "Kids, Mrs. Zimmerman's water just broke. I have to go meet Sawyer now". The kids know all about him and are very helpful. If she eats a snack during class they'll say "Oh, is Sawyer hungry?", or if she's leaning on a table they'll say, "Mrs. Zimmerman, I think you should go sit down for Sawyer". The hospital is really close to her school and it would be the fastest route to have to travel when the time comes. Otherwise, we're about an hour from the hospital.

Leave your questions or comments and we'll be sure to fill you in!

Thank you for staying interested and invested in our lives. We really appreciate those of you who continue to read these blogs and keep us in your thoughts.