Hey blog people!
I don't know if many of you are following what is going on in California, with proposition 8 on the ballot. Proposition 8 amends the state constitution in order to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. This is just wrong. Rights taken from any of us deplete us all. I can't afford to donate any more money, but maybe some of you have $5 or $10 to share.
No on Prop 8!
Friday, October 31, 2008
InaDWriMo 2008
This is my official notice that I am participating in International Academic Writing Month. This is just happens to be occurring at the time when I really need to get in gear and get my last two data chapters done. SO my goal is to write 10,000 words here in November, which should equal chapters 4 and 5. Right on. There's a new status meter over in the sidebar so you can keep track. I will start November 1 and report back weekly. I expect your ridicule when I do not proceed as planned. I have been hoping, but it really appears that the dissertation refuses to write itself.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
I AM a champion (plus cute baby animals)
Hey! I survived the 5k! I did have to walk for a tiny little bit, but I think I finished in about 45 minutes. I forgot a watch so I tried to pay attention to the race clock, but addition, remembering numbers, and paying attention are not really any of my main talents. Anyway, my chip time (they give you this little chip to put on your shoe that records the official time) was 38:54, but that is pretty not possible. I did run the first mile in about 12:30, which is super fast for me, so I slowed down after that. My youngest brother and his wife ran the race too, and I was happy there were more experienced runners there with me, although they left me in the dust pretty quickly.
It was a Halloween themed race so there were costumes, and the highlight for me was that I beat two clowns. Ha! Take that, clowns. I also pulled ahead of a camel at the last minute. I was impressed by the camel, though, as it was two people under a sheet and I don't know how they stayed together AND how the back hump didn't fall and die, since I am pretty sure she could only see the ground and nothing in front of her. It was fun, and I am probably going to register for an 8k in March to keep me running through the winter.
Cute baby animals:
If you enjoy cute baby animals, you will enjoy this blog.
I was pointed to it due to these tiny baby gorillas!
OK, I'm off to either clean my desk or make up some activities to teach my students about the endocrine system and blood.
It was a Halloween themed race so there were costumes, and the highlight for me was that I beat two clowns. Ha! Take that, clowns. I also pulled ahead of a camel at the last minute. I was impressed by the camel, though, as it was two people under a sheet and I don't know how they stayed together AND how the back hump didn't fall and die, since I am pretty sure she could only see the ground and nothing in front of her. It was fun, and I am probably going to register for an 8k in March to keep me running through the winter.
Cute baby animals:
If you enjoy cute baby animals, you will enjoy this blog.
I was pointed to it due to these tiny baby gorillas!
OK, I'm off to either clean my desk or make up some activities to teach my students about the endocrine system and blood.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
I am a champion
Well, that remains to be seen, but at 4:00 this afternoon I am running my first 5k! My goal is to run the whole thing, no walking.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
McCain and Healthcare
If you are at all concerned about the state of healthcare in this country, read this awesome post by Sarahlynn.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
books!
70. Lake of Sorrows by Erin Hart
I picked up this books from R's parents' house because it is about archaeologists and a forensic pathologist. Awesome. Basically, the main character is in Ireland investigating bog bodies when she comes across a more recent murder victim. There is all kinds of intrigue and mystery and I really enjoyed this book. It is the 2nd in a series and I plan to go back and read the first.
71. Daddy-Long Legs by Jean Webster
This is one of those books I read over and over again. Judy is an orphan, who has lived all her life in an orphanage, until she is chosen by a mysterious trustee to go to college. The book is her letters to her benefactor, whom she calls "Daddy-Long Legs". This is just a very pleasant book, and I love Judy's character. I have read it about a zillion times and will probably read it a zillion more. It is like my book comfort food.
72. Misfortune by Wesley Stace
This is an awesome book. A baby is found on a trash heap and taken to be the adopted daughter of a wealthy family. Only, alas, the baby is a boy. This is the story of Rose as she grows up and realizes who and what she is. I have a hard time describing why I liked this book so much, but it is just a great story with really well-written characters. I highly recommend this book.
I picked up this books from R's parents' house because it is about archaeologists and a forensic pathologist. Awesome. Basically, the main character is in Ireland investigating bog bodies when she comes across a more recent murder victim. There is all kinds of intrigue and mystery and I really enjoyed this book. It is the 2nd in a series and I plan to go back and read the first.
71. Daddy-Long Legs by Jean Webster
This is one of those books I read over and over again. Judy is an orphan, who has lived all her life in an orphanage, until she is chosen by a mysterious trustee to go to college. The book is her letters to her benefactor, whom she calls "Daddy-Long Legs". This is just a very pleasant book, and I love Judy's character. I have read it about a zillion times and will probably read it a zillion more. It is like my book comfort food.
72. Misfortune by Wesley Stace
This is an awesome book. A baby is found on a trash heap and taken to be the adopted daughter of a wealthy family. Only, alas, the baby is a boy. This is the story of Rose as she grows up and realizes who and what she is. I have a hard time describing why I liked this book so much, but it is just a great story with really well-written characters. I highly recommend this book.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
What comes next?
So, way back when I became a comment-whore by asking for suggestions on what to write about, Emily asked about my post-dissertation plans. Here is that promised post.
How will I celebrate? I definitely am traveling to grad school town to participate in the whole graduation shebang. I want the pomp and circumstance and fancy robes. R will come with me, and I think my fam and R's parents are planning on coming too. In my fantasy world, we rent out the back room of my favorite pizza place and all go there for dinner. I will probably break down into sobs at some point from the relief.
I don't really have any plans career-wise yet. I am scared of getting too specific about what I want, as I could be happy in a lot of situations. I definitely want to teach, and I would love to be able to keep doing a little research. But for the first year or two I am also open to non-teaching postdocs. I figure I can put that time into publishing my dissertation which will help me be more attractive to more schools. I'm thinking a little about finding a new field site and plotting different projects I can do over summers off from teaching. My secret master plan is that one of my adjunct schools will give me a year long position next year, then love me so much that they give me a tenure track position after that, then love me so so much that they give me tenure AND hire R when he graduates. Whew. :)
There are a lot of things I have kind of been putting off until after I finish, but no major goals (except for becoming employed). I mostly want to get a somewhat normal life back. And for me a normal life means a little time to see friends, to get back into crocheting, and money to go out once and awhile. That is it. My needs and desires are few. I also want to get back into traveling more. R and I love to travel and do it well together and it has been far too long since we went on an awesome trip.
How will I celebrate? I definitely am traveling to grad school town to participate in the whole graduation shebang. I want the pomp and circumstance and fancy robes. R will come with me, and I think my fam and R's parents are planning on coming too. In my fantasy world, we rent out the back room of my favorite pizza place and all go there for dinner. I will probably break down into sobs at some point from the relief.
I don't really have any plans career-wise yet. I am scared of getting too specific about what I want, as I could be happy in a lot of situations. I definitely want to teach, and I would love to be able to keep doing a little research. But for the first year or two I am also open to non-teaching postdocs. I figure I can put that time into publishing my dissertation which will help me be more attractive to more schools. I'm thinking a little about finding a new field site and plotting different projects I can do over summers off from teaching. My secret master plan is that one of my adjunct schools will give me a year long position next year, then love me so much that they give me a tenure track position after that, then love me so so much that they give me tenure AND hire R when he graduates. Whew. :)
There are a lot of things I have kind of been putting off until after I finish, but no major goals (except for becoming employed). I mostly want to get a somewhat normal life back. And for me a normal life means a little time to see friends, to get back into crocheting, and money to go out once and awhile. That is it. My needs and desires are few. I also want to get back into traveling more. R and I love to travel and do it well together and it has been far too long since we went on an awesome trip.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
books!
68. Memo to the President Elect by Madeleine Albright
Have I told you how much I love Madeleine Albright? I looooove Madeleine Albright. This book is her advice to the next president on all sorts of foreign policy issues. It was very interesting, and made me think about the president's job differently. For example, she makes a point of talking about how we assume the president has all this power, but he or she cannot get stuff done without the help of others, including many people who are not elected and have been in their jobs for years and years. I hope both Obama and McCain have read this book.
69. Mystic River by Dennis LeHane
I really liked this movie and recently heard that the book was good as well. It is true. It is hard to describe, the book is kind of quiet and meandering, but really engrossing. I think because the characters were so well-drawn. Very good book.
Have I told you how much I love Madeleine Albright? I looooove Madeleine Albright. This book is her advice to the next president on all sorts of foreign policy issues. It was very interesting, and made me think about the president's job differently. For example, she makes a point of talking about how we assume the president has all this power, but he or she cannot get stuff done without the help of others, including many people who are not elected and have been in their jobs for years and years. I hope both Obama and McCain have read this book.
69. Mystic River by Dennis LeHane
I really liked this movie and recently heard that the book was good as well. It is true. It is hard to describe, the book is kind of quiet and meandering, but really engrossing. I think because the characters were so well-drawn. Very good book.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
From a distance....
You know you all know the words.
I apologize for neglecting you, my valiant blog readers. I have been very busy. I teach, I dissertate, and that is about it. The semester has been kicking my butt. I have wondered why, and then realized it is the first time I have taught two new preps AND tried to write/research/etc. But it is good I am figuring out how to balance the teaching a research, since that will be the story of the rest of my life.
Anyway, that prologue is to say I am totally going to stick to my promise and write about your requested topics. Today I am going to write about finishing my dissertation while being away from the school where I am enrolled.
I can some the situation up in two words: IT ROCKS! But it may not work for all. For me, I was not crazy about GradSchoolTown so I am happier away and being happier otherwise makes me a more productive worker. Also, R is happier pursuing his own grad school business, and that also makes me happier. Finally, I work better with my advisor with some distance AND she is the sort who loves side projects, which I avoid by not being there. I have suffered some from a lack of face time, but overall any problems have been worth the benefits, for me. I've also gotten some great teaching opportunities that I am hopeful will help me on the job search in the future. I think for some people the situation would not work out, but it has been great for me.
I apologize for neglecting you, my valiant blog readers. I have been very busy. I teach, I dissertate, and that is about it. The semester has been kicking my butt. I have wondered why, and then realized it is the first time I have taught two new preps AND tried to write/research/etc. But it is good I am figuring out how to balance the teaching a research, since that will be the story of the rest of my life.
Anyway, that prologue is to say I am totally going to stick to my promise and write about your requested topics. Today I am going to write about finishing my dissertation while being away from the school where I am enrolled.
I can some the situation up in two words: IT ROCKS! But it may not work for all. For me, I was not crazy about GradSchoolTown so I am happier away and being happier otherwise makes me a more productive worker. Also, R is happier pursuing his own grad school business, and that also makes me happier. Finally, I work better with my advisor with some distance AND she is the sort who loves side projects, which I avoid by not being there. I have suffered some from a lack of face time, but overall any problems have been worth the benefits, for me. I've also gotten some great teaching opportunities that I am hopeful will help me on the job search in the future. I think for some people the situation would not work out, but it has been great for me.
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