I am glad I am recording all the adventures I have been having, as sometimes I feel like I am boring, but then it turns out I am not!
So additional adventures:
1) Some friends and I went to see Margaret Atwood in a dramatic reading of her new book, "The Year of the Flood". I was intrigued, because I loooooove Margaret Atwood, but also mildly concerned, as I thought a dramatic reading with songs written based on the book could also just be weird. It was totally awesome though. Margaret Atwood looked like she was having so much fun and the readers and singers were great. Also, it is a brilliant idea for a book tour as they read up to like the climax of the book and then did not tell you the end! So now I have to buy the book! Which I did, and am waiting for Amazon to get it to me. Barbara Kingsolver also benefited from this dramatic reading as Amazon told me she had a new book as well, and as I love her nearly as much as Margaret Atwood I bought that book too. I barely ever buy fiction books. My last book purchase was Seasonality in Primates. I know you guys don't want to miss out on that one.
2)The same weekend as Margaret Atwood, R was out of town so I took advantage of his absence to have a Naked Lady Party. Don't be scared to click on the link -- it is a clothes exchange. I had some friends over and cooked up a tasty strata (I left out the ham and subbed kale for the zucchini) and served mimosas and we had a fun time exchanging all our old clothes. I still need to take the unclaimed clothes to Goodwill though.
This weekend, we are going to a play! ooh! Fancy!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Adventures of late
Here are some of my recent adventures.
A while ago R and I went to see Chuchito Valdes, a Cuban jazz pianist. So good. I highly recommend seeing him live if you can. He is crazy with his fast moving and hands and jumping up from the bench a lot. So much energy!
The leaves began to change, and there were many many yellow ones. I did not take any pictures, but here is one from frozenchipmunk on Flickr.
I went to a two day Darwin conference which was super cool and inspiring and like a rock concert for evolution nerds. It happened to fall on Halloween, so for a friend's party I dressed like Darwin.
A while ago R and I went to see Chuchito Valdes, a Cuban jazz pianist. So good. I highly recommend seeing him live if you can. He is crazy with his fast moving and hands and jumping up from the bench a lot. So much energy!
The leaves began to change, and there were many many yellow ones. I did not take any pictures, but here is one from frozenchipmunk on Flickr.
I went to a two day Darwin conference which was super cool and inspiring and like a rock concert for evolution nerds. It happened to fall on Halloween, so for a friend's party I dressed like Darwin.
Laaaaazy
People, I should get an award for the amount I have accomplished in my life thus far, despite the fact that I suffer from a sever case of lazy. Seriously. I am really lazy. You may not believe it, as I am so accomplished, but just imagine what I could do if I were not so lazy? I would be setting the world on fire.
I have not been blogging much due to the aforementioned lazy. I think of posts, but then I am just too lazy to write them. I means, signing on to Blogger is just too much work when I could more easily play Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook. I do manage to prep my classes, grade papers, and work on my dissertation, but cleaning the house? Nope. Defeated by the lazy. Also, I bought fabric and frames from IKEA to whip up some nice wall hangings for my office on campus, but how long have the materials sat here on my desk collecting dust? Quite a while, I tell you. And a friend of mine can tell you how long it took me to season the new wok I bought in Chinatown. I actually had to throw out the old wok and have an urgent need to stir-fry before I could off my lazy butt and season up that wok. I did manage to put up inspirational monkey pictures above my desk at home, a mere year after moving in. I count that and the fact that I got the wok seasoned in a matter of months as two small but important accomplishments. Sometimes, due to all the work I have to do despite the lazy, the lazy builds up and builds up until I give in. The last two days I have greatly enjoyed lying about and reading, and am still in my pjs at 2:00 pm.
I plan to emerge from this wallow in the lazy fresh and clean in order to tackle many Things That Must Be Done over the rest of the day. I am having people over for brunch tomorrow, so I am also counting on this deadline to help me clean the house. And important part of this morning has been spent contemplating the best direction in which to clean. What do you think? Start in the kitchen, followed by the dining room, bathroom, then living room (the bedroom is exempt from cleaning)? I am worried this plan will result in me running out of energy before the living room, which really needs the most cleaning. It contains my desk, and I have come to accept that I work best surrounded by alarming piles of paper and a fortress of books stacked on the floor. Seriously, I've been kicking it on the dissertation pretty well, and am surrounding by so much clutter in a perfect arms' width semi-circle. Also, I envision the party tomorrow taking place mostly in the living room, so perhaps I should start there.
Wish me luck that the lazy can be out run just for today.
I have not been blogging much due to the aforementioned lazy. I think of posts, but then I am just too lazy to write them. I means, signing on to Blogger is just too much work when I could more easily play Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook. I do manage to prep my classes, grade papers, and work on my dissertation, but cleaning the house? Nope. Defeated by the lazy. Also, I bought fabric and frames from IKEA to whip up some nice wall hangings for my office on campus, but how long have the materials sat here on my desk collecting dust? Quite a while, I tell you. And a friend of mine can tell you how long it took me to season the new wok I bought in Chinatown. I actually had to throw out the old wok and have an urgent need to stir-fry before I could off my lazy butt and season up that wok. I did manage to put up inspirational monkey pictures above my desk at home, a mere year after moving in. I count that and the fact that I got the wok seasoned in a matter of months as two small but important accomplishments. Sometimes, due to all the work I have to do despite the lazy, the lazy builds up and builds up until I give in. The last two days I have greatly enjoyed lying about and reading, and am still in my pjs at 2:00 pm.
I plan to emerge from this wallow in the lazy fresh and clean in order to tackle many Things That Must Be Done over the rest of the day. I am having people over for brunch tomorrow, so I am also counting on this deadline to help me clean the house. And important part of this morning has been spent contemplating the best direction in which to clean. What do you think? Start in the kitchen, followed by the dining room, bathroom, then living room (the bedroom is exempt from cleaning)? I am worried this plan will result in me running out of energy before the living room, which really needs the most cleaning. It contains my desk, and I have come to accept that I work best surrounded by alarming piles of paper and a fortress of books stacked on the floor. Seriously, I've been kicking it on the dissertation pretty well, and am surrounding by so much clutter in a perfect arms' width semi-circle. Also, I envision the party tomorrow taking place mostly in the living room, so perhaps I should start there.
Wish me luck that the lazy can be out run just for today.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Harvest time!
So it was getting dangerously close to frosty time and I was going away for the weekend. As head gardener, it was my job to decide if we should bring in the green tomatoes on our porch or not. I decided better safe than sorry, and picked them all. I also picked the basil and spent the Thursday before my trip making some pesto. The pictures show the lovely fruits of the garden.
It turns out that I don't think it has actually frosted here yet. We are close to the lake, and thus are temperatures are often 10 degrees off those inland. It has been cold and rainy, though, so I am going to believe the tomatoes would not have ripened anyway and that I made the right call.
We had a super tasty dinner the other night of the green tomatoes sauteed and mixed with angel hair pasta and the homemade pesto. Yum.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Messed Up
Hello! I arise to tell you a story that really crystallized for me how messed up we are in the US about thinking about how women's bodies should look.
Last night I was at a party for R's department, talking to a student who knew the part of the world I do research in. She was asking about my research and if I was "tough" because of having to live in harsh field conditions. I told her the only harsh condition was the food, which resulted in me quickly losing a lot of weight. But when I returned everyone kept saying how good I looked like 20 pounds lighter. And I had to reply -- I don't look good, I look starved! This is not healthy! The other woman has a similar experience where she was really sick for awhile and lost a lot of weight and everyone complimented her on how good she looked. Both of us were amazed at the experience of being malnourished and sickly and yet receiving more compliments on our looks than ever. Dude, that ain't right.
Last night I was at a party for R's department, talking to a student who knew the part of the world I do research in. She was asking about my research and if I was "tough" because of having to live in harsh field conditions. I told her the only harsh condition was the food, which resulted in me quickly losing a lot of weight. But when I returned everyone kept saying how good I looked like 20 pounds lighter. And I had to reply -- I don't look good, I look starved! This is not healthy! The other woman has a similar experience where she was really sick for awhile and lost a lot of weight and everyone complimented her on how good she looked. Both of us were amazed at the experience of being malnourished and sickly and yet receiving more compliments on our looks than ever. Dude, that ain't right.
Monday, September 07, 2009
State Fair!
A little while ago we went to Minnesota to celebrate a friend's marriage on a boat in the Mississippi. We also got to go to the State Fair. It rules. I want to move there so I can enter something in the State Fair one day -- maybe some seed art?
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Aunt!
My brother K and his wife L had a baby girl this morning. I am an aunt! Very exciting -- it is my first niece. Let the spoiling begin!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Personal stories
For me, health care reform is really a moral issue. I don't understand how we can limit people's access to doctors! I have so many friends who have not gone to the doctor when sick, or postponed going to the doctor, because they didn't have health insurance and did not have good enough health insurance. I have had times in my life without good/any health insurance and even today I always balance how much something might cost with what I (not a medical doctor) judge to be the severity of my sickness. So today, here are some personal stories demonstrating the need for health care reform.
Stories of the uninsured.
A nurse's view on health reform
What one family has to do to keep their daughter insured.
Stories of the uninsured.
A nurse's view on health reform
What one family has to do to keep their daughter insured.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Isn't our health care system the best?
No! Here is some info on that:
Five myths about health care in the rest of the world.
Comparing Britain's health care system to the US.
Five myths about health care in the rest of the world.
Comparing Britain's health care system to the US.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Why reform health care at all?
Today I want to give you some links on why we should reform health care at all?
Short, simple cartoon explaining problems with our current health care system.
Harvard study finds that 62% of personal bankruptcies were due to medical costs, and 78% of those people were insured.
And, finally, health care explained on 4 napkins.
Short, simple cartoon explaining problems with our current health care system.
Harvard study finds that 62% of personal bankruptcies were due to medical costs, and 78% of those people were insured.
And, finally, health care explained on 4 napkins.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
What, exactly, is in the health care bill?
I am going out of town for a long weekend, but I am still very concerned about health care reform, so while I am gone I am going to queue up some posts to give you some more info. It can be confusing, but just a little time reading can clear up a lot of myths and misconceptions.
Also, I made phone calls in support of health care on Saturday, and if anyone else wants to get involved in volunteering you can do so here.
For today I give you: (1) the actual bill with fact sheets prepared by the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
(2)Health insurance reform myth vs. facts
(3)FactCheck.org debunks some lying ads
Also, I made phone calls in support of health care on Saturday, and if anyone else wants to get involved in volunteering you can do so here.
For today I give you: (1) the actual bill with fact sheets prepared by the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
(2)Health insurance reform myth vs. facts
(3)FactCheck.org debunks some lying ads
Friday, August 21, 2009
nom nom nom
R and I don't really celebrate our wedding anniversary, because although we partake in the institution and are into each other, we are not into legal marriage per se. I feel like I always totally shock people when I say this, but there you go. Legal marriage -- I could take it or leave it.
BUT my parents and R's parents celebrate our anniversary and send us gifts, which is awesome. Thanks to their very generous gifts we were able to go out to this restaurant last night and enjoy 5 amazing and tasty courses of vegetarian food. And a bottle of wine. We called it a celebration of our mutual awesomeness.
I don't think I've ever gotten the tasting menu at a restaurant before because they often contain meat. It was super to have dishes just appear before me, each one super tasty in its own way. I have been vegetarian for over 14 years now and I don't at all feel limited by it on a daily basis. I don't feel like it is any kind of sacrifice. It is nice, however, to periodically go to a restaurant where there is a whole menu of stuff for me to order or where I can just let the waiter bring me anything and I know I will be able to eat it.
BUT my parents and R's parents celebrate our anniversary and send us gifts, which is awesome. Thanks to their very generous gifts we were able to go out to this restaurant last night and enjoy 5 amazing and tasty courses of vegetarian food. And a bottle of wine. We called it a celebration of our mutual awesomeness.
I don't think I've ever gotten the tasting menu at a restaurant before because they often contain meat. It was super to have dishes just appear before me, each one super tasty in its own way. I have been vegetarian for over 14 years now and I don't at all feel limited by it on a daily basis. I don't feel like it is any kind of sacrifice. It is nice, however, to periodically go to a restaurant where there is a whole menu of stuff for me to order or where I can just let the waiter bring me anything and I know I will be able to eat it.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Health Care!
People, I have been very concerned about the health care system here in the US for a long time. As a graduate student, my funding did not include health insurance. I have been paying a TON for this for a long time. Right now I am on R's insurance. He is lucky enough that his funding pays for his, but not for mine. When I start my new full time job in September my employer will give me insurance and we will all of a sudden be saving about $2000 on health insurance. Seeing this stark difference close up really makes me appreciate how lucky people are who have employers who insure them. And how bad it is for people who work slightly less than full time, or not close to full time, or who are laid off, or who have employers with bad insurance plans. Really, for my entire adult life I have always considered the possible cost of care when deciding whether or not to go to the doctor. This is not right. People should go to the doctor when they are sick -- not wait around trying to figure out if they feel really bad enough or not to make it worth it.
So I finally got off my butt today and read about the actual health care bill. Since there is so much going on with people misrepresenting what the bill actually does, I recommend everyone start there as well. Then, please write your elected representatives and tell them you support the bill. You can find those people and very convenient web forms here and here.
It won't take you very long, and it is really time we fixed health care in the US. Really, it is appalling.
So I finally got off my butt today and read about the actual health care bill. Since there is so much going on with people misrepresenting what the bill actually does, I recommend everyone start there as well. Then, please write your elected representatives and tell them you support the bill. You can find those people and very convenient web forms here and here.
It won't take you very long, and it is really time we fixed health care in the US. Really, it is appalling.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Lost weekend
I'm back from teaching the smart kids! And apparently I brought the weather of the SE with me. I am really really not into hot and humid weather. Really. I think if I had my way it would very rarely get above 75. That might even be pushing it.
R was away at a conference this weekend, and we realized it was the first time I was alone in the apartment so I had big plans of eating broccoli, maybe having popcorn for dinner one night, and watching movies R would not like. These plans were all mostly defeated by my technological troubles.
First, I got an iPhone on Friday. This is awesome and was a present to myself for getting my first full-time academic job. Also it was on sale. I waited sooooo long for the UPS to bring it, then I had to set it up and charge it and then I was finally ready to make my first call and the person on the other end could not hear me. That is right. The mic was broken. It was still awesome without the talking ability and I a, lucky enough to live in a Big City with an Apple Store so I took the broken phone there on Saturday. They fiddled with it for a bit, and then said they would just have to give me a new one. So I got a fresh new one. Yay! Happiness!
BUT then I came home to plug my new phone into itunes and put all my podcasts on it when what do I get but a Blue Screen of Death. Many, in fact. The next day and a half are many phone calls to Dell, attempts at re-installing Vista, and finally the promise of a new motherboard. Luckily I somehow got a long warranty so it is all free. But now I have no computer (I'm typing this on R's) and am waiting to hear from the tech who is going to bring me my new parts.
I also meant to write a ton this weekend, but with no computer that did not happen. It is all backed up because I am responsible that way, but there are some programs I will need to get access to again. Anyway, that was my weekend which did not at all end up as planned.
R was away at a conference this weekend, and we realized it was the first time I was alone in the apartment so I had big plans of eating broccoli, maybe having popcorn for dinner one night, and watching movies R would not like. These plans were all mostly defeated by my technological troubles.
First, I got an iPhone on Friday. This is awesome and was a present to myself for getting my first full-time academic job. Also it was on sale. I waited sooooo long for the UPS to bring it, then I had to set it up and charge it and then I was finally ready to make my first call and the person on the other end could not hear me. That is right. The mic was broken. It was still awesome without the talking ability and I a, lucky enough to live in a Big City with an Apple Store so I took the broken phone there on Saturday. They fiddled with it for a bit, and then said they would just have to give me a new one. So I got a fresh new one. Yay! Happiness!
BUT then I came home to plug my new phone into itunes and put all my podcasts on it when what do I get but a Blue Screen of Death. Many, in fact. The next day and a half are many phone calls to Dell, attempts at re-installing Vista, and finally the promise of a new motherboard. Luckily I somehow got a long warranty so it is all free. But now I have no computer (I'm typing this on R's) and am waiting to hear from the tech who is going to bring me my new parts.
I also meant to write a ton this weekend, but with no computer that did not happen. It is all backed up because I am responsible that way, but there are some programs I will need to get access to again. Anyway, that was my weekend which did not at all end up as planned.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Employed!
So, I was seriously considering stopping the blogging because I post so little lately. Also I kind of feel transitional lately. I have still have no defense date because I have no completed dissertation, but over this last year my self-image has really changed from that of a student to that of a professional. A professor. A non-student, whatever. So I think that is good, as I think that is one of the things to be learned in grad school. Hopefully I can use this new self image to propel me into getting this stuff done. woo! Much of this transition was helped along by the million classes I taught last quarter. While I do not recommend teaching a million classes ever, and while I hope to never do so again, I think it was good for me in the end. I did not dissertate too much, but I now have so much teaching mojo! I can teach anything, anywhere, with little notice. Aw yeah. And I am not scared of a heavy work load. I did work on my own stuff while teaching the million classes, although at a much slower rate. Teaching so much made me feel like a professor AND I have now gotten a full-time job at one of those schools for next year. That's right, guaranteed full time load (less than a million) for a whole academic year! A grown up salary! A title. Love it. Now I will try to use my desire to be a "visiting assistant professor" as opposed to a "visiting instructor" into to defeat that pesky dissertation.
Oh, and in the end I am apparently not stopping blogging. Maybe when I graduate I will do a "Dr. Monkeygirl" style makeover. We'll see.
Oh, and in the end I am apparently not stopping blogging. Maybe when I graduate I will do a "Dr. Monkeygirl" style makeover. We'll see.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Smarties!
Look! I'm still alive! I have just been unmotivated to post. Anyways, I am back in the land of teaching smart kids. I am at a different campus than the last two years, though. This one is at a small college in a small town. I am really loving the location so far. I went to a Farmer's Market today that was so nice and well-attended. I don't have access to a fridge or a kitchen (it's all dining hall all the time for me) but I did buy some blueberries and grape tomatoes to eat as snacks. Also a blueberry muffin for breakfast.
I'm teaching a new to me class, zoology, but I can combine a lot of stuff from previous classes I taught, so I am not too worried. The kiddies arrive on Sunday! Should be fun.
OK, I'm off to lunch.
I'm teaching a new to me class, zoology, but I can combine a lot of stuff from previous classes I taught, so I am not too worried. The kiddies arrive on Sunday! Should be fun.
OK, I'm off to lunch.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Books!
So I've been to busy to review all the books I've read, but I have read 45 books in 2009 so far. Here's a list of the ones I rated 5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads.
Watchmen by Alan Moore
Dreamhunter and
Dreamquake by Elizabeth Knox
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
How to Write a Lot by Paul J. Silvia
Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L.A. Meyer
Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl
The Riverbones: Stumbling After Eden in the Jungles of Suriname by Andrew Westoll
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Watchmen by Alan Moore
Dreamhunter and
Dreamquake by Elizabeth Knox
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
How to Write a Lot by Paul J. Silvia
Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L.A. Meyer
Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl
The Riverbones: Stumbling After Eden in the Jungles of Suriname by Andrew Westoll
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Monday, May 25, 2009
Now an even more awesome champion
You may recall that back in October I ran my first 5k race, beat some clowns and clocked a time of 38:54. Well today I ran another 5k. There were no clowns to beat, but I think I smashed my previous record with a new time of 34:27. Go me! It was a fun race, very neighborhood-y (not in my neighborhood) and R got to over hear some firefighters with Chicago accents talk about how they supported the IRA. The old school IRA, though, not the current one. The current IRA is just a bunch of punks. Also, this race went up "largest hill in Chicago". I did not notice a hill. I am glad I began my running career at the highest point in Manhattan so that these Chicago hills are not a threat to me.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Sunday
So two of my classes are over and I just need to finish up some grading and paperwork! Woo! As there is a light at the end of the tunnel, I am now trying to blog every weekend. We'll see how that goes.
It has been a very nice sunny weekend. Yesterday R and I walked to a garden fair and then to a coffee shop where we attempted to work for awhile but it was too loud. So we moved to a bench in a park where we ran into a random bike race. This is one of my favorite things about living in a big city. Both here and in NYC I will often come across some sort of random event like a street festival or market or bike race. I finished grading exams while watching the bike riders zoom by and then we headed back home. At night we went to a banquet for R's department which was pretty fun. I am friends with a lot of R's fellow students, so I didn't feel out of place and there were other spouses/partners there as well.
Today I need to get to work to prep classes for the week ahead and finish off a book chapter I've been working on. Then it is back to hard core dissertating. I'm having a little bit of a hard adjustment to not having such a packed schedule that I need to work all the time. It is less motivating to have some stuff I kinda need to get done, but no OH MY GOD IT MUST BE DONE NOW!! stuff. I also think I want to slack a little after all the work of the last months. But I will rally and get to work! Go me!
It has been a very nice sunny weekend. Yesterday R and I walked to a garden fair and then to a coffee shop where we attempted to work for awhile but it was too loud. So we moved to a bench in a park where we ran into a random bike race. This is one of my favorite things about living in a big city. Both here and in NYC I will often come across some sort of random event like a street festival or market or bike race. I finished grading exams while watching the bike riders zoom by and then we headed back home. At night we went to a banquet for R's department which was pretty fun. I am friends with a lot of R's fellow students, so I didn't feel out of place and there were other spouses/partners there as well.
Today I need to get to work to prep classes for the week ahead and finish off a book chapter I've been working on. Then it is back to hard core dissertating. I'm having a little bit of a hard adjustment to not having such a packed schedule that I need to work all the time. It is less motivating to have some stuff I kinda need to get done, but no OH MY GOD IT MUST BE DONE NOW!! stuff. I also think I want to slack a little after all the work of the last months. But I will rally and get to work! Go me!
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Good morning!
Happy Saturday! I am all happy today as it was sunny yesterday and R and I ate dinner on the porch for the first time this year. We had homemade black bean burgers, fries and corn on the cob. After that we went for a shake and a malt and then watched Baby Mama. This morning R made me eggs and toast.
It is overcast today, but I am determined to run. All the teaching has really dstroyed my running habit, but my new plan is to run 4 miles a week. When I am always doing that I will up my miles. I also want to start doing yoga 10 minutes a week (from this book).
Last weekend my parents came to visit and we had a very fun time with them. We went to dinner and sat on the porch playing games. My mom and I shared a bottle of plum wine and at one point my dad advised me to gamble more while my mom advised me to drink more. It is good to know they are looking out for me. :)
My parents also drove us to Home Depot where we bought supplies for our back porch garden! Woo! We have a hanging tomato plant and a window box of basil and dill and some chives which were planted from seed and have not yet emerged. The picture is from R's iPhone from inside the house so it is not the best, but it is too cloud y to get a good picture today.
I'm posting because two of my classes are ending this week, so I have hopes of returning to a semi-normal life and also making more progress on actually getting out of grad school one day. Hopefully I'll be around more once I grade all the finals!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Snapshot
This is for the May Scientiae.
TEACHING FIVE CLASSES! Hopefully, in the future, I will look back on Spring 2009 and remember this was a very bad idea. Here is how I spend my time: teaching, planning labs, prepping labs, prepping classes, grading, eating, sleeping. That is pretty much it. Seriously, people, don't teach five classes in a semester, especially if three are lab classes.
scientiae-carnival
TEACHING FIVE CLASSES! Hopefully, in the future, I will look back on Spring 2009 and remember this was a very bad idea. Here is how I spend my time: teaching, planning labs, prepping labs, prepping classes, grading, eating, sleeping. That is pretty much it. Seriously, people, don't teach five classes in a semester, especially if three are lab classes.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Fun
People, I enjoyed Spring Break in Florida but got little teaching prep done. Then I returned to Chicago where I immediately started spring quarter. Also, this week was the big conference for my field (luckily here in town) and I have spent the end of the week at that. Thus, I am behind in everything.
BUT, despite all this, I am excited as R and I are going to see the Circus Cats of Chicago in a few short hours. Performing cats! Hilarious!
BUT, despite all this, I am excited as R and I are going to see the Circus Cats of Chicago in a few short hours. Performing cats! Hilarious!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Spring Break!!!
That's right! I still have papers to grade and classes to prep, but it is spring break and in a few hours I am off to Florida for a friend's wedding and then a week of hanging out. Woo! Good times! I am excited about the warm weather and the sun.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Food
Once before, Ellen asked me to write about the tasty meals R and I make and since I only live to please Ellen, here are few.
They are all from Martha Stewart's "Everyday Food" magazine. I got a subscription to this magazine in order to use up some frequent flier miles that were going to expire. At first I was skeptical. I mean, I like Martha and all, but the magazine is Reader's Digest sized and looked like something sold at the grocery store checkout (like all those 100 Best Cakes! little booklets, or Prevention or something). But I cut out some tasty looking recipes, and by now we have made several that have all been really good. Seriously. There was one recipe that was merely 'meh' but everything else has been super tasty and pretty easy. Also, Martha kindly shares the recipes on the internets, so I can point them out to you.
Warm Spinach Salad with Fried Egg
Red-Leaf Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Bourbon-Pecan Truffles
Portobello, Broccoli and Red Pepper Melts
Enjoy!
They are all from Martha Stewart's "Everyday Food" magazine. I got a subscription to this magazine in order to use up some frequent flier miles that were going to expire. At first I was skeptical. I mean, I like Martha and all, but the magazine is Reader's Digest sized and looked like something sold at the grocery store checkout (like all those 100 Best Cakes! little booklets, or Prevention or something). But I cut out some tasty looking recipes, and by now we have made several that have all been really good. Seriously. There was one recipe that was merely 'meh' but everything else has been super tasty and pretty easy. Also, Martha kindly shares the recipes on the internets, so I can point them out to you.
Warm Spinach Salad with Fried Egg
Red-Leaf Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Bourbon-Pecan Truffles
Portobello, Broccoli and Red Pepper Melts
Enjoy!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Challenge
The April Scientiae topic: Tell us about that most firey fire through which you have had to walk in your scientific career. How did you overcome the challenge? Did you have help along the way, or was it a solo effort? And what did you learn? Why are you a better scientist given the difficulties that you have encountered?
Peeps, I am in the most fiery challenge of my scientific career right now. I am not going to go into details, but my dissertation writing is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. I began writing this thing back in early 2007 and have had a bastard of a time with it since. There are difficulties with professors involved, I have become angry at the system and I feel it has greatly let me down.
I have not overcome this challenge yet, but I know I will sometime. I do have help along the way. I have friends who are willing to listen sympathetically and who also are willing to not ask when I say I don't want to talk about it. R is great at reminding me to be self-confident and at reading my chapters critically and coming up with awesome insights that really help my writing. I have also started going to counseling, which has been amazing for helping me remember who I am, and that I am a smart, successful person, even when others say I am not.
I have also really learned a ton. I have learned about facing huge obstacles and harsh criticism and about how I work best. I think this last part has been most useful. I've often tried to work how I think others work, or how I think I should work. But it is only this semester, when I am teaching 10,045 classes and writing that I have really found what works for me. I have carefully scheduled writing time that I CANNOT make up if I miss. Really. If I don't write between my two classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays I don't have time to write for that week. This knowledge really makes me cut the procrastination. Also, the time chunks I have are short enough that I don't get bored. I am forced to stop by needing to go teach, which always leaves me wanting to get back to my work. And I have finally accepted that I don't work well in the house. I have access to a great office that I am using a lot, and I recently added two more hours to my work time by staying after my classes for an hour at night.
When I am not too upset by the whole situation, I know that this really crappy dissertating experience will in the end make me more sure of myself as an independent scholar, and will make me more able to take rejections and criticisms of my ideas in the future. I also wouldn't wish this experience on anyone, and hope it will help me be more sympathetic of any grad students I may get to work with in the future.
scientiae-carnival
Peeps, I am in the most fiery challenge of my scientific career right now. I am not going to go into details, but my dissertation writing is by far the hardest thing I have ever done. I began writing this thing back in early 2007 and have had a bastard of a time with it since. There are difficulties with professors involved, I have become angry at the system and I feel it has greatly let me down.
I have not overcome this challenge yet, but I know I will sometime. I do have help along the way. I have friends who are willing to listen sympathetically and who also are willing to not ask when I say I don't want to talk about it. R is great at reminding me to be self-confident and at reading my chapters critically and coming up with awesome insights that really help my writing. I have also started going to counseling, which has been amazing for helping me remember who I am, and that I am a smart, successful person, even when others say I am not.
I have also really learned a ton. I have learned about facing huge obstacles and harsh criticism and about how I work best. I think this last part has been most useful. I've often tried to work how I think others work, or how I think I should work. But it is only this semester, when I am teaching 10,045 classes and writing that I have really found what works for me. I have carefully scheduled writing time that I CANNOT make up if I miss. Really. If I don't write between my two classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays I don't have time to write for that week. This knowledge really makes me cut the procrastination. Also, the time chunks I have are short enough that I don't get bored. I am forced to stop by needing to go teach, which always leaves me wanting to get back to my work. And I have finally accepted that I don't work well in the house. I have access to a great office that I am using a lot, and I recently added two more hours to my work time by staying after my classes for an hour at night.
When I am not too upset by the whole situation, I know that this really crappy dissertating experience will in the end make me more sure of myself as an independent scholar, and will make me more able to take rejections and criticisms of my ideas in the future. I also wouldn't wish this experience on anyone, and hope it will help me be more sympathetic of any grad students I may get to work with in the future.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Wow
So, I knew that female hyenas had a false penis, but until reading this post at Field Notes', I had no idea how crazy their birthing was! Wow.
Also, here is a story of a chimp who plans ahead to throw stones at zoo visitors. I have been planning to raise up a gorilla army for many years now and I think this chimp can fill a leadership position.
Also, here is a story of a chimp who plans ahead to throw stones at zoo visitors. I have been planning to raise up a gorilla army for many years now and I think this chimp can fill a leadership position.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Snow
I woke up early today and had my Human Evolution class prepped before lunch. I also did laundry. It was a good day in that regard, although it snowed the whole freaking day. Actually, the snow would not be bad if it were not for the wind. It is coming in under our back door and making this weird whistling/rattling noise. I am concerned for the state of our house. We are on the third floor and it may blow right off.
In other news, it is 8:41 pm and I am seriously thinking about going to bed.
In other news, it is 8:41 pm and I am seriously thinking about going to bed.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Valentine
I hope everyone had a good Valentine's Day. I am not usually into Valentine's Day, and R and I usually do not really do anything special. Since the day was on a Saturday this year, though, we took some time to cook a very tasty dinner of mushroom, leek and lemon risotto and green beans with shallots followed by homemade caramel flan and an awesome drink made of champagne, vodka, and lemon sorbet all smushed together in the blender. It was nice to turn off the email, not talk about work and just hang out and play some cribbage.
Now get out there and buy the discounted chocolate!
Now get out there and buy the discounted chocolate!
books
I am soooo busy. I am on campus from like 9:00-6:30 4 days a week. It is like I am a regular person with a real job. Anyway, that is why I have not been blogging. I am also still writing away on the dissertation. I have been reading, though, and I want to catch up some. Here is a list of what I have read recently. The ones I loved and that you should read are starred.
7. Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox*
8. Watchmen by Alan Moore*
9. The Genius Factory by David Plotz*
10. Girls in Pants by Ann Brashares
11. Forever in Blue by Ann Brashares
12. The Breaker by Minette Walters*
13. My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student by Rebekah Nathan
14. Billion Dollar Kiss: The Kiss that saved Dawson's Creek and Other Adventures in TV Writing by Jeffrey Stepakoff
15. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by JK Rowling
16. City of Thieves by David Benioff
17. The Law of Similars by Chris Bohjalian
18. Downers Grove by Michael Hornburg*
19. Next by Michael Crichton
7. Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox*
8. Watchmen by Alan Moore*
9. The Genius Factory by David Plotz*
10. Girls in Pants by Ann Brashares
11. Forever in Blue by Ann Brashares
12. The Breaker by Minette Walters*
13. My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student by Rebekah Nathan
14. Billion Dollar Kiss: The Kiss that saved Dawson's Creek and Other Adventures in TV Writing by Jeffrey Stepakoff
15. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by JK Rowling
16. City of Thieves by David Benioff
17. The Law of Similars by Chris Bohjalian
18. Downers Grove by Michael Hornburg*
19. Next by Michael Crichton
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Dreams
This month's Scientiae Carnival asks, "What do you think a better, more equitable society should look like? What are your dreams for your life? For the lives of others? How close are you to living the life of your dreams? What would make you able to live that life?"
I'm going to answer the last part of this question, as it relates to things I have been thinking about lately. I recently kind of hit rock bottom in my feelings about my dissertation and things I have feared would happen with it happened. Despite that and the fact that I am in a new city and missing old friends and also that I insanely took on a huge teaching load, I have been really happy. I think I am really happy for two reasons. 1) We know we will be here for awhile. R will be in his PhD program for 5,6,7 or more years. After I graduate and he finishes classes I might get a tenure track job elsewhere, and we might spend time in between two cities, but he will be at this school for the foreseeable future. It gives us some stability we have not had for a long time. 2) I realized that if I spent all my days like I did now with the addition of more money and a PhD, I would really be exactly where I want to be. I really love teaching, and this semester I am teaching some upper level classes which are giving me more of a taste of what I might get to do in a full time job someday. I also think I'll be teaching at these schools for more than 2 semesters, so I'll finally get to see what it is like to settle in a little somewhere, learn the student culture, know where to eat lunch, etc. I have been striving so long for the goal of a PhD, I think I forgot a little what I wanted it for. I wanted it so I could teach and research, and I am teaching and researching (or at least writing up research) right now. I already have my dream job in a way, and if I keep doing it, the diploma will come.
So I am so so close to living the life of my dreams. It is pretty awesome. And what do I want for others? I would really love if everyone could have the space to figure out what they want and then the opportunity to try it out and see how that kind of life fits them. I have so many students who have interests in one area, but feel compelled for financial reasons to follow a path they are less interested in. I wish they could follow their dreams for awhile, to see if those are their real dreams. I know how lucky I have been to end up where I am now, to be encouraged to get into a profession that is not at all 'normal' and that is risky in someways, and I wish everyone could have the encouragement and support I have had.
scientiae-carnival
I'm going to answer the last part of this question, as it relates to things I have been thinking about lately. I recently kind of hit rock bottom in my feelings about my dissertation and things I have feared would happen with it happened. Despite that and the fact that I am in a new city and missing old friends and also that I insanely took on a huge teaching load, I have been really happy. I think I am really happy for two reasons. 1) We know we will be here for awhile. R will be in his PhD program for 5,6,7 or more years. After I graduate and he finishes classes I might get a tenure track job elsewhere, and we might spend time in between two cities, but he will be at this school for the foreseeable future. It gives us some stability we have not had for a long time. 2) I realized that if I spent all my days like I did now with the addition of more money and a PhD, I would really be exactly where I want to be. I really love teaching, and this semester I am teaching some upper level classes which are giving me more of a taste of what I might get to do in a full time job someday. I also think I'll be teaching at these schools for more than 2 semesters, so I'll finally get to see what it is like to settle in a little somewhere, learn the student culture, know where to eat lunch, etc. I have been striving so long for the goal of a PhD, I think I forgot a little what I wanted it for. I wanted it so I could teach and research, and I am teaching and researching (or at least writing up research) right now. I already have my dream job in a way, and if I keep doing it, the diploma will come.
So I am so so close to living the life of my dreams. It is pretty awesome. And what do I want for others? I would really love if everyone could have the space to figure out what they want and then the opportunity to try it out and see how that kind of life fits them. I have so many students who have interests in one area, but feel compelled for financial reasons to follow a path they are less interested in. I wish they could follow their dreams for awhile, to see if those are their real dreams. I know how lucky I have been to end up where I am now, to be encouraged to get into a profession that is not at all 'normal' and that is risky in someways, and I wish everyone could have the encouragement and support I have had.
Monday, January 19, 2009
books!
6. Patty Jane's House of Curl by Lorna Landvik
I was given this book for free, and it is kind of just standard "women are strong and survivor's" fluff. Think of Steel Magnolias set in Minnesota. It was a fun read and the characters were engaging.
I was given this book for free, and it is kind of just standard "women are strong and survivor's" fluff. Think of Steel Magnolias set in Minnesota. It was a fun read and the characters were engaging.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
New Year
I have made some New Year's resolutions. They are mostly about exercising, but here they are:
*run at least 2x a week
*run in at least two races
*yoga or pilates 2x a week
*be more social and get out of the house more
*don't stress so much
----
And since it is already Jan 17, here is how I have been doing. I have been doing great on the running. I got a Nike+ (Santa got me an ipod Nano for Christmas) which is a huuuuuuge motivator for me. R laughs at me, but knowing the Nike+ is watching me makes me push myself harder. Also, I love graphs! So I am on track for my running. We'll have to see about the races, but I have a whole year ahead of me. I have only done yoga twice and I still need to figure that out. Basically, I need to get over being embarrassed to do yoga with R in the house. I am not home enough when he is gone to get two half hour practices in a week. I am still trying though.
We have done great on the social front! I am so happy about it. We went out two nights last weekend, had people over during the week, and are going out two nights this weekend. woo! Go us!
Finally, I have been having serious issues with my dissertation which I cannot share here. BUT I have learned an important lesson which is that I need to go easier on myself, and stop beating myself for not reaching expectations I had that were ridiculous to begin with. To this end, I dropped my spring hours which means I definitely cannot graduate in May. That is ok. I am approaching the dissertation more as a journey. I work on it, and one day it will be done. I do not know when that day is. From now on, when people ask when I am going to be done my answer will simply be, "when I am done." I have lots of things I would probably do differently if I could go back and do grad school over, but one of the biggest is that I would not be so fixated on getting out fast. I was too obsessed with finishing and that made me get so upset when I missed deadlines and therefore caused me to procrastinate more. So I am working more on enjoying the day to day. And the lack of pressure has not made me work less, but actually more, as it is less of a chore now.
*run at least 2x a week
*run in at least two races
*yoga or pilates 2x a week
*be more social and get out of the house more
*don't stress so much
----
And since it is already Jan 17, here is how I have been doing. I have been doing great on the running. I got a Nike+ (Santa got me an ipod Nano for Christmas) which is a huuuuuuge motivator for me. R laughs at me, but knowing the Nike+ is watching me makes me push myself harder. Also, I love graphs! So I am on track for my running. We'll have to see about the races, but I have a whole year ahead of me. I have only done yoga twice and I still need to figure that out. Basically, I need to get over being embarrassed to do yoga with R in the house. I am not home enough when he is gone to get two half hour practices in a week. I am still trying though.
We have done great on the social front! I am so happy about it. We went out two nights last weekend, had people over during the week, and are going out two nights this weekend. woo! Go us!
Finally, I have been having serious issues with my dissertation which I cannot share here. BUT I have learned an important lesson which is that I need to go easier on myself, and stop beating myself for not reaching expectations I had that were ridiculous to begin with. To this end, I dropped my spring hours which means I definitely cannot graduate in May. That is ok. I am approaching the dissertation more as a journey. I work on it, and one day it will be done. I do not know when that day is. From now on, when people ask when I am going to be done my answer will simply be, "when I am done." I have lots of things I would probably do differently if I could go back and do grad school over, but one of the biggest is that I would not be so fixated on getting out fast. I was too obsessed with finishing and that made me get so upset when I missed deadlines and therefore caused me to procrastinate more. So I am working more on enjoying the day to day. And the lack of pressure has not made me work less, but actually more, as it is less of a chore now.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
books!
I read about 87 books in 2008. I petered out keeping track at the end, so I am not sure of the exact number. I've already read 7 books in 2009! Here's the first set:
1. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
This is the story of an Australian book conservator who works on the Sarajevo Haggadah. The haggadah is the text used at Passover and the Sarajevo Haggadah is an actual illuminated manuscript. This book tells the fictional story of what the conservator finds, and how the book intersected different people's lives over its long history. I really enjoyed this book.
2. Once Upon a Time in the North by Phillip Pullman
Another book by the author of the Golden Compass. This one is in the same universe as those books but set earlier in time. I really enjoyed this short, adventure-filled book.
3. The Second Summer of the Sisterhood and
4. Girls in Pants by Ann Brashares
These are the 2nd and 3rd books in the Traveling Pants series. I read the first books years ago and feel like I was kind of 'meh' about it, but I really enjoyed these two. The writing is good and the characters are really interesting and I think pretty true to life descriptions of teenage girls. I am definitely going to read the 4th book.
5. Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
A novel about a small town in Central Florida after a nuclear holocaust. This book was written in 1959 and holds up pretty well. It is very interesting and was fascinating to see what someone in 1959 imagined about living after a nuclear war. I also really liked the Central Florida setting. If you like end of the world novels, this one is really good.
1. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
This is the story of an Australian book conservator who works on the Sarajevo Haggadah. The haggadah is the text used at Passover and the Sarajevo Haggadah is an actual illuminated manuscript. This book tells the fictional story of what the conservator finds, and how the book intersected different people's lives over its long history. I really enjoyed this book.
2. Once Upon a Time in the North by Phillip Pullman
Another book by the author of the Golden Compass. This one is in the same universe as those books but set earlier in time. I really enjoyed this short, adventure-filled book.
3. The Second Summer of the Sisterhood and
4. Girls in Pants by Ann Brashares
These are the 2nd and 3rd books in the Traveling Pants series. I read the first books years ago and feel like I was kind of 'meh' about it, but I really enjoyed these two. The writing is good and the characters are really interesting and I think pretty true to life descriptions of teenage girls. I am definitely going to read the 4th book.
5. Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
A novel about a small town in Central Florida after a nuclear holocaust. This book was written in 1959 and holds up pretty well. It is very interesting and was fascinating to see what someone in 1959 imagined about living after a nuclear war. I also really liked the Central Florida setting. If you like end of the world novels, this one is really good.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Ack.
OK, I went temporarily mad last year and signed up to teach 3 classes and 3 labs this quarter. The money blinded me. Anyway, to do this I have to get up at 7 am, which is exceedingly early for me. I know all you guys get up at like 4 am and all that, and have no sympathy, but this is hard for me! I just finished my first week of just one class and some meetings and I was sooooo tired.
This is to say that I am not sure how much I will blog through mid-March. We will see. But I felt guilty about not blogging, and one of my new things is not thinking about things that make me feel guilty. Also, I dropped my 3 credits for the Spring so I will definitely not be graduating in May. I am working hard this quarter/semester on not stressing, not thinking about deadlines, just doing my work and letting things happen as they happen. We'll see how it goes. But since I will exhausted from my crack of dawn wake up time, I may blog less than we all wish. We will all survive though, and emerge at the end of March with more money and a stronger character. :)
This is to say that I am not sure how much I will blog through mid-March. We will see. But I felt guilty about not blogging, and one of my new things is not thinking about things that make me feel guilty. Also, I dropped my 3 credits for the Spring so I will definitely not be graduating in May. I am working hard this quarter/semester on not stressing, not thinking about deadlines, just doing my work and letting things happen as they happen. We'll see how it goes. But since I will exhausted from my crack of dawn wake up time, I may blog less than we all wish. We will all survive though, and emerge at the end of March with more money and a stronger character. :)
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Fun is over
Alas. The fun is over for me. I have not done anything work-like since December 22. It was amazing. It was maybe a little toooo long of a vacation and I am now finding it hard to give up my life of leisure. After 7 days I was a little wanting to work, but I got past that and now I don't want to work ever again at all. Oh well.
R and I rented a car and drove to Iowa and Missouri to see family. It was a good time, although in the future I might not choose to drive 8 hours, wait one day, then drive another 8 hours. I think a 2 day rest is needed between 8 hour drives. In St. Louis we got to see Laura and Shannon and Ellen at an awesomely old school pancake house where Shirley was our waitress. She looked like she'd worked there since 1961, when the place opened.
After St. Louis we came back home where I was totally slothful for a night and just watched bunches of TV and read Twilight. After a two day rest at home, R and I got on the train and set out to see Melinda et al. The train trip was awesome and easy, and we had a great time in Melinda's town watching Movies Where "People" are Saved in and Awesome Way, playing Rock Bands I and II, and teaching Cletus the Former Fetus to sing, "Flash! Aaaaah Ahhhh!" We were sad to leave and return home, where no Wii or singing toddlers awaited us. But we are soldiering on. I rewrote my monkey class syllabus today and went for a run, and R went to the library. Alas. Back to the grind for us.
R and I rented a car and drove to Iowa and Missouri to see family. It was a good time, although in the future I might not choose to drive 8 hours, wait one day, then drive another 8 hours. I think a 2 day rest is needed between 8 hour drives. In St. Louis we got to see Laura and Shannon and Ellen at an awesomely old school pancake house where Shirley was our waitress. She looked like she'd worked there since 1961, when the place opened.
After St. Louis we came back home where I was totally slothful for a night and just watched bunches of TV and read Twilight. After a two day rest at home, R and I got on the train and set out to see Melinda et al. The train trip was awesome and easy, and we had a great time in Melinda's town watching Movies Where "People" are Saved in and Awesome Way, playing Rock Bands I and II, and teaching Cletus the Former Fetus to sing, "Flash! Aaaaah Ahhhh!" We were sad to leave and return home, where no Wii or singing toddlers awaited us. But we are soldiering on. I rewrote my monkey class syllabus today and went for a run, and R went to the library. Alas. Back to the grind for us.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
2009!
Happy 2009, all! I am returned from my excellent holiday travels. I will post more about them later, but we went to two adjacent states, saw lots of family and some friends and ate a lot of junk food. In the meantime, here are the first posts of each month of 2008:
January: Hello! Happy New Year!
February: The description is nice, but any day I am up that early is a bad bad day.
March: Well, that title might be a little too cheery, but lately I've felt like everything is falling into place for me.
April: It's a metaphor.
May: Look at this awesome necklace I got from this Etsy shop.
June: Sorry for the lack of posting.
July: 50. The Last Colony by John Scalzi
August: I am alive, R is alive, the cats are alive.
September: R and I had an awesome time in Minnesota.
October: You know you all know the words.
November: So, I already missed a day, but I am going to try and post every day in November.
December: So I had a hold on my university record.
January: Hello! Happy New Year!
February: The description is nice, but any day I am up that early is a bad bad day.
March: Well, that title might be a little too cheery, but lately I've felt like everything is falling into place for me.
April: It's a metaphor.
May: Look at this awesome necklace I got from this Etsy shop.
June: Sorry for the lack of posting.
July: 50. The Last Colony by John Scalzi
August: I am alive, R is alive, the cats are alive.
September: R and I had an awesome time in Minnesota.
October: You know you all know the words.
November: So, I already missed a day, but I am going to try and post every day in November.
December: So I had a hold on my university record.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas!
Happy Solstice!
Happy Hanukkah!
Happy anything else!
Tomorrow (when it is very cold and very early) R and I are departing for our annual tour of the midwest. As we now live in driving distance, we've cut it down to 2 states: Iowa and Missouri. Sweet! Unfortunately we have to go to parts of Iowa and Missouri that are quite far from one another.
Anyway, I will most likely not post again until after the 29th, or maybe not even until after the New Year, which we are spending with the lovely Melinda and her family. I am taking a vacation until January 3 -- no dissertating, no prepping of classes, NOTHING to do with work. I hope to come back recharged and ready to teach awesomely and dissertate awesomely in 2009.
In the meantime, my holiday gift to you is a baby polar bear chewing on someone's leg.
Happy Solstice!
Happy Hanukkah!
Happy anything else!
Tomorrow (when it is very cold and very early) R and I are departing for our annual tour of the midwest. As we now live in driving distance, we've cut it down to 2 states: Iowa and Missouri. Sweet! Unfortunately we have to go to parts of Iowa and Missouri that are quite far from one another.
Anyway, I will most likely not post again until after the 29th, or maybe not even until after the New Year, which we are spending with the lovely Melinda and her family. I am taking a vacation until January 3 -- no dissertating, no prepping of classes, NOTHING to do with work. I hope to come back recharged and ready to teach awesomely and dissertate awesomely in 2009.
In the meantime, my holiday gift to you is a baby polar bear chewing on someone's leg.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Over the disseration
I am sure I have said this before, but I am so over my dissertation. It bores me. I wish it were done. I have a draft of the 4th chapter, but it really needs the discussion expanding and I am stuck stuck stuck. Blah. I am debating what to do, as I really wanted to send it to my advisor today, just so she sees how I am working AND so I could stop thinking about it for awhile. I am not good at working on one thing for a long time, and I feel I am that point with this chapter. My ideal plan was to send it to her today, spend the weekend grading, then take a real break from it all over Christmas/New Years. I want to start chapter 5 in January, then come back to 4 again and bounce between the two for a bit until going back to 1, 2, 3 and fiddling with them a little more. Argh. I think I will send it is as it is complete, there are just parts that need to be expanded on and I really don't have the energy for that. Also, I have 40 final exams to grade. I think I have convinced myself to send it.
Here is a deeper philosophical question that lurks behind it all. When do you send drafts of writing to an advisor/collaborator? I feel like I can send stuff when the logical flow is intact, but some of the details may be missing. Then they can comment on the big picture of it, and help me fill in the details. Someone else I was talking to, though, said they thought something should be in final draft form before sending it. I don't feel it needs to be that filled out, but what do you guys do?
Here is a deeper philosophical question that lurks behind it all. When do you send drafts of writing to an advisor/collaborator? I feel like I can send stuff when the logical flow is intact, but some of the details may be missing. Then they can comment on the big picture of it, and help me fill in the details. Someone else I was talking to, though, said they thought something should be in final draft form before sending it. I don't feel it needs to be that filled out, but what do you guys do?
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
before my battery dies
I did not die of my cold. I have promised my mom, however, that if I do die, I will post it here so she does not worry. :) I somehow think she will still worry.
I have spend the morning working in my new favorite spot -- the cafe of an art museum. It is very well lit, and quiet, and I think the art makes me smarter. However there are no outlets, so I have to use up my battery. So sad. I have actually not written anything this morning, but have read much on tourist satisfaction, which should hopefully help me write more later. Did you know that tourist satisfaction is based on multiple variables? It is! I would like to know more about what tourists look for in wildlife encounters, but so far I have read about white-water rafting and trips to the Boundary Waters with all woman groups.
I am now off to do some errands and then eat lunch and start the crock pot. After lunch I shall learn all about what tourists want from wildlife encounters and then hopefully write a brilliant conclusion to my fourth chapter. Maybe I will even make some tables for that chapter. Or I will clean the bathroom.
I have spend the morning working in my new favorite spot -- the cafe of an art museum. It is very well lit, and quiet, and I think the art makes me smarter. However there are no outlets, so I have to use up my battery. So sad. I have actually not written anything this morning, but have read much on tourist satisfaction, which should hopefully help me write more later. Did you know that tourist satisfaction is based on multiple variables? It is! I would like to know more about what tourists look for in wildlife encounters, but so far I have read about white-water rafting and trips to the Boundary Waters with all woman groups.
I am now off to do some errands and then eat lunch and start the crock pot. After lunch I shall learn all about what tourists want from wildlife encounters and then hopefully write a brilliant conclusion to my fourth chapter. Maybe I will even make some tables for that chapter. Or I will clean the bathroom.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Just droppin' in
I don't really have anything to say. I have submitted grades for one of my classes and the other class merely awaits some exam takin'. Aw yeah. I am hoping to dedicate the rest of my time to crazy dissertatin'. I wanted to have Chapter 4 done (by which I mean have it in a state for R to read) by Sunday, but I have been felled by a sickness. It was really bad yesterday -- a cold PLUS nausea (not cool, people. Not cool.) But today I feel better with each hour that does by. Maybe I can get some crazy work done over the weekend.
Other to-dos before Christmas are go to the Lincoln Park Zoo and go to an allegedly authentic German Christmas Market. We shall see.
Other to-dos before Christmas are go to the Lincoln Park Zoo and go to an allegedly authentic German Christmas Market. We shall see.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Fake Scientiae
I am sooooo sad I missed this month's Scientiae as the theme was "My Science is Hotter Than Dr. Isis's Naughty Monkeys". For Dr. Isis, these Naughty Monkeys are shoes, but... my science is hot because it is ABOUT Naughty Monkeys! Here is a photographic representation about the hotness of my science:
(First two photos from cliff1066 on flickr, the rest by me.
(First two photos from cliff1066 on flickr, the rest by me.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Woo! Party!
Tomorrow I am getting on a train to visit the fabulous Melinda! Although we lived together in a small apartment in DC, many years ago, geography has cruelly kept us separated since. Now she is in reach of a very reasonably priced train trip so we may proceed to the having of awesome times. woo!
So that I can leave here with a clean conscience, I must now go do dishes and read a little for my anthro class.
So that I can leave here with a clean conscience, I must now go do dishes and read a little for my anthro class.
Hold
So I had a hold on my university record. They make it really hard to find out why one has holds, but they did tell me it was financial services, so I called them. I gave the not-friendly woman my id number and she muttered "exiti'lltransfer" and I got to listen to some really really bad hold music. I really think it is not a whole song, just like 4 bars repeated over and over. Anyway, it turns out that yet again, they think I have graduated. It is sad that at an institution granting many PhDs, the computer doesn't seem to understand that it takes a freakin' long time. Each of the last two semesters I have had a hold because they thought I graduated, and then some voice on the phone asked if I was "graduating late"! There is no late graduation possible! No matter when I graduate, it will be on time.
I would like to convince them to just give me the diploma, but they have not fallen for that yet. Maybe soon.
In other news, look how I beat my goal this week! Yay me!
I would like to convince them to just give me the diploma, but they have not fallen for that yet. Maybe soon.
In other news, look how I beat my goal this week! Yay me!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
InaDWriMo 2008 and moving on
I failed miserably at InaDWriMo. I got to 16% of my goal which is sad sad. I probably should not have chosen to participate in a month which included Thanksgiving and a 4 day conference. Oh well.
Here is my new plan -- small, achievable, weekly goals. I hope I will actually reach these goals, which will build my confidence and make me write more. The conference gave me some great ideas, and I just made a new outline of my whole dissertation which I hope will give it more coherence. Since I love those status bars, there is now one for this week's goal: 1000 more words on Chapter 4.
Here is my new plan -- small, achievable, weekly goals. I hope I will actually reach these goals, which will build my confidence and make me write more. The conference gave me some great ideas, and I just made a new outline of my whole dissertation which I hope will give it more coherence. Since I love those status bars, there is now one for this week's goal: 1000 more words on Chapter 4.
books
84. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
A Classic. I found it at the library and decided to read it. It was ok, but not amazing. Basically, it is a book about World War I, and filled with all the crappiness about being in a war. I didn't feel it added anything to my understanding of the badness of war, but it was well-written.
85. Take the Cannoli by Sarah Vowell
Essays about America/American history by Sarah Vowell of This American Life. Also a good book. I really like Vowell's voice and she is great at presenting her nerdiness about certain things in a fun way. The only other Vowell book I've read was Radio On, which was ok, but her voice kind of grated on me after awhile. I liked this book much better.
86. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
I am the last person to read this book -- especially the last anthropologist and am so sad I did not read it earlier. It is the story of a Hmong family in California and their conflicts with the medical system over the care of their daughter who has epilepsy. The author does an excellent job of presenting the cultures of the Hmong family and the doctors, demonstrating how they cam to so many misunderstandings, and not really laying blame anywhere. I wish I would have read this earlier so I could have assigned it to my anthro class -- it really explains and demonstrates cross-cultural misunderstandings so well. Everyone should read this book.
87. Making Money by Terry Pratchett
A Discworld novel about the central bank. The fun is all in the crazy surprises so I will not say more, but this was a fun book with the usual Discworld hijinks.
A Classic. I found it at the library and decided to read it. It was ok, but not amazing. Basically, it is a book about World War I, and filled with all the crappiness about being in a war. I didn't feel it added anything to my understanding of the badness of war, but it was well-written.
85. Take the Cannoli by Sarah Vowell
Essays about America/American history by Sarah Vowell of This American Life. Also a good book. I really like Vowell's voice and she is great at presenting her nerdiness about certain things in a fun way. The only other Vowell book I've read was Radio On, which was ok, but her voice kind of grated on me after awhile. I liked this book much better.
86. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
I am the last person to read this book -- especially the last anthropologist and am so sad I did not read it earlier. It is the story of a Hmong family in California and their conflicts with the medical system over the care of their daughter who has epilepsy. The author does an excellent job of presenting the cultures of the Hmong family and the doctors, demonstrating how they cam to so many misunderstandings, and not really laying blame anywhere. I wish I would have read this earlier so I could have assigned it to my anthro class -- it really explains and demonstrates cross-cultural misunderstandings so well. Everyone should read this book.
87. Making Money by Terry Pratchett
A Discworld novel about the central bank. The fun is all in the crazy surprises so I will not say more, but this was a fun book with the usual Discworld hijinks.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Missed two days!
Alas, I have missed two days now of this daily blogging. One was post-travel craziness and then yesterday I spent the day with R, our friend Matt from college and our friend Melissa from my GradSchool. So fun! Matt arrived around noon and we braved the small children at the Museum of Science and Industry. It was pretty fun -- we saw the U Boat, some old planes, and some propaganda for both petroleum (plastic is awesome!) and industrialized farming (we keep pigs clean and protect them from predators!). Melissa joined us later and we had dinner at a new to us pizza place (Pizza Capri) which was super good. Then we sat around the house and hung out and played the Game of Life, which R won like always. Melissa did really well for not going to college, though.
It was totally worth it to not blog and hang out with awesome friends, though. Now I think I have prepped my anthro class for the week, so all I have to do is make 2 more syllabi for next semester, make a rubric for my students' presentations, and dissertate a bit.
Oh yeah. PS: we also had the most awesome stuffing on Thanksgiving, thanks to a recipe from Corbett and his mom. It made a ton, but was totally slurped up and I barely had leftovers. I might make a half batch again some day, juts for myself.
It was totally worth it to not blog and hang out with awesome friends, though. Now I think I have prepped my anthro class for the week, so all I have to do is make 2 more syllabi for next semester, make a rubric for my students' presentations, and dissertate a bit.
Oh yeah. PS: we also had the most awesome stuffing on Thanksgiving, thanks to a recipe from Corbett and his mom. It made a ton, but was totally slurped up and I barely had leftovers. I might make a half batch again some day, juts for myself.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Yay! Thanksgiving!
I have always liked Thanksgiving a lot. Maybe because it is about food. And it is still low key, really. No gifts or crazy decorations. Just eating and hanging out with family and friends.
We had a bunch of international students from R's program over and we made a ton of food. R brined a turkey a la Alton Brown, and word on the street is that it was good. I made a very complex pumpkin pie from Cook's Illustrated, which was ok, but in my opinion not worth the extra work. I am still on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin pie. After we ate we played some Atari and a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit (R and I won, but it might be because the questions were biased towards Americans). Everyone just left and now we are going to do some dishes and relax.
We had a bunch of international students from R's program over and we made a ton of food. R brined a turkey a la Alton Brown, and word on the street is that it was good. I made a very complex pumpkin pie from Cook's Illustrated, which was ok, but in my opinion not worth the extra work. I am still on the hunt for the perfect pumpkin pie. After we ate we played some Atari and a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit (R and I won, but it might be because the questions were biased towards Americans). Everyone just left and now we are going to do some dishes and relax.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thanksigiving! And Conferences!
I had a great time at my conference in San Francisco. I knew more people than I realized and enjoyed seeing a little bit of SF. My poster went well -- I had some people come talk to me and my poster neighbor asked me for tips, as mine was so attractive. I have to say, I loooove conferences so much. Each year I know more and more people so it is a time to catch up with people I don't see regularly. Also, I think I am better at talking about my research than writing about it, so posters and talks are a great vehicle for me. Conferences also always inspire me to get back into my own work, which I am hoping to do soon. I did come away with a whole new way to kind of frame my diss. I think I was lost in the trees and was not seeing the forest.
The other thing going on right now is Thanksgiving! R and I are hosting a bunch of international students. We are in the midst of baking pies, and R is trying to de-frost the turkey in prep for brining. I made the most complicated pumpkin pie recipe ever. Seriously, it took me like 2 hours to just make the filling and the crust. Unless it is the most amazing pie ever, I will not be making it again. We'll see.
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving with great people to celebrate with!
The other thing going on right now is Thanksgiving! R and I are hosting a bunch of international students. We are in the midst of baking pies, and R is trying to de-frost the turkey in prep for brining. I made the most complicated pumpkin pie recipe ever. Seriously, it took me like 2 hours to just make the filling and the crust. Unless it is the most amazing pie ever, I will not be making it again. We'll see.
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving with great people to celebrate with!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Back
Alas. I missed a day. Anyway, I have returned from SF -- I had a great time. Now I am writing exams and grading and preparing for Thanksgiving. More later!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Vegetarian's 100
So this went around the blogs long ago as The Omnivore's 100. Basically, a list of foods that everyone should eat at one time. I have a draft post around of the meme, but as a vegetarian there was a lot on it I was not going to eat. So I was excited when I saw the Vegetarian's 100. I can't remember where I saw it on my blogroll, but I got this version from Feeding Maybelle. If you want to know what any of these are (I didn't know a bunch of them) see the original link. Also, there is apparently nothing I wouldn't try once!
Here are the rules:
1. Copy the list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2. Bold all the items you’ve eaten
3. Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4. Optional extra: post a comment on Very Good Taste, linking to your results.
and I am adding 5. italicize ones you would especially like to try.
1. Edamame
2. Cha Soba
3. Arame
4. Earth Balance Buttercream
5. "Homemade" sprouts
6. Green Bamboo Rice
7. Absinthe
8. Eat at a raw restaurant
9. Fresh (real) wasabi
10. Deep fried pickle this is so good!
11. Fiddleheads
12. Garlic stuffed olives
13. Smen
14. Goji Berries
15. Shiso or Perilla
16. Amaranth
17. Pomegranate molasses
18. Water convulvulus (Water Spinach)
19. Pea eggplant, Thai eggplant, green eggplant, Japanese eggplant, Indian eggplant, Sicilian eggplant...
20. A Zen Buddhist Vegan Meal
21. Kohya Dofu
22. Wild Asparagus
23. Elderberry
24. Candlenuts (kemiri)
25. Salsify
26. Nutritional Yeast
27. Pandan
28. Roman cauliflower
29. Anything with acorn flour
30. Poi
31. Chaya (tree spinach)
32. Pitahaya (dragon fruit)
33. Asafoetida
34. Fried plantains
35. Basil seeds
36. Cardoon
37. Durian
38. Ground Cherry or cape gooseberry
39. Fresh waterchestnut
40. Cashewnut cheese
41. Nettles
42. Fake duck from a can, tofurky, or any prepared vegetarian product to resemble meat
43. Kimchi
44. Masala Dosa
45. Lotus Seed
46. Matcha
47. Loubie Bzeit
48. Quince
49. Blue Potatoes
50. Injera
51. Nasturtium
52. Turkish Delight or Lokum
53. Spruce tips
54. Breadfruit
55. Mangosteen
56. Swede or Rutabaga
57. Garlic Scapes
58. Lavash
59. Candied Angelica
60. Rambutan
61. Sambal
62. Bhutanes Red Rice
63. Candy-cane or Chioggia beets
64. Mango
65. Ras el Hanout
66. Vegan marshmallow
67. Umeboshi
68. Red Currants
69. Puy or French lentils
70. Millet
71. Fresh Bamboo shoot
72. Jerusalem artichoke
73. Wild strawberry
74. Jambool
75. Po cha or Yak butter Tea
76. Adzuki beans
77. Shirataki
78. Manioc, yuca, cassava
79. Quinoa
80. Ramps
81. Chufa
82. Purslane
83. Curry Leaves (Kadipatta)
84. Sorrel
85. Sumac
86. Vegan cupcake
87. Montreal bagel
88. Peri-peri
89. Syllabub
90. Chartreuse
91. Kamut berries
92. Kalamansi Lime
93. Aloe
94. Morels
95. Raw “bread”
96. Dandelion wine
97. Rosti
98. Loomi
99. Stinky tofu
100. Something grown by you
Here are the rules:
1. Copy the list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2. Bold all the items you’ve eaten
3. Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4. Optional extra: post a comment on Very Good Taste, linking to your results.
and I am adding 5. italicize ones you would especially like to try.
1. Edamame
2. Cha Soba
3. Arame
4. Earth Balance Buttercream
5. "Homemade" sprouts
6. Green Bamboo Rice
7. Absinthe
8. Eat at a raw restaurant
9. Fresh (real) wasabi
10. Deep fried pickle this is so good!
11. Fiddleheads
12. Garlic stuffed olives
13. Smen
14. Goji Berries
15. Shiso or Perilla
16. Amaranth
17. Pomegranate molasses
18. Water convulvulus (Water Spinach)
19. Pea eggplant, Thai eggplant, green eggplant, Japanese eggplant, Indian eggplant, Sicilian eggplant...
20. A Zen Buddhist Vegan Meal
21. Kohya Dofu
22. Wild Asparagus
23. Elderberry
24. Candlenuts (kemiri)
25. Salsify
26. Nutritional Yeast
27. Pandan
28. Roman cauliflower
29. Anything with acorn flour
30. Poi
31. Chaya (tree spinach)
32. Pitahaya (dragon fruit)
33. Asafoetida
34. Fried plantains
35. Basil seeds
36. Cardoon
37. Durian
38. Ground Cherry or cape gooseberry
39. Fresh waterchestnut
40. Cashewnut cheese
41. Nettles
42. Fake duck from a can, tofurky, or any prepared vegetarian product to resemble meat
43. Kimchi
44. Masala Dosa
45. Lotus Seed
46. Matcha
47. Loubie Bzeit
48. Quince
49. Blue Potatoes
50. Injera
51. Nasturtium
52. Turkish Delight or Lokum
53. Spruce tips
54. Breadfruit
55. Mangosteen
56. Swede or Rutabaga
57. Garlic Scapes
58. Lavash
59. Candied Angelica
60. Rambutan
61. Sambal
62. Bhutanes Red Rice
63. Candy-cane or Chioggia beets
64. Mango
65. Ras el Hanout
66. Vegan marshmallow
67. Umeboshi
68. Red Currants
69. Puy or French lentils
70. Millet
71. Fresh Bamboo shoot
72. Jerusalem artichoke
73. Wild strawberry
74. Jambool
75. Po cha or Yak butter Tea
76. Adzuki beans
77. Shirataki
78. Manioc, yuca, cassava
79. Quinoa
80. Ramps
81. Chufa
82. Purslane
83. Curry Leaves (Kadipatta)
84. Sorrel
85. Sumac
86. Vegan cupcake
87. Montreal bagel
88. Peri-peri
89. Syllabub
90. Chartreuse
91. Kamut berries
92. Kalamansi Lime
93. Aloe
94. Morels
95. Raw “bread”
96. Dandelion wine
97. Rosti
98. Loomi
99. Stinky tofu
100. Something grown by you
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Relaxing in the jungle
So we're in the jungle without a lot of the stuff we had to amuse ourselves with here in the US. What did we do for fun? Sometimes we had a lot of boxes and things around we needed to get rid of, and we did this by burning them. We usually saved stuff so we could have a bonfire. Here is one such bonfire for a field assistant's birthday. The darkness seems even more complete, somehow, with a fire lighting it up. It is very dark there. No light around for hundreds of miles, and you can see the stars so well, like you would not believe.
Friday, November 21, 2008
books
82. A Stab in the Dark by Lawrence Block
Another Matthew Scudder book. It was ok, but I have read to many too closely together now.
83. Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
My first library book after the Tragedy of the Fine (tm). A 21st century LA woman wakes up to find herself in the body of someone in Jane Austen's England. She has to figure out how to behave properly AND how to get back home. It was kind of a clever idea, but I thought the book meandered too much, left too many loose ends and just never came together.
Another Matthew Scudder book. It was ok, but I have read to many too closely together now.
83. Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
My first library book after the Tragedy of the Fine (tm). A 21st century LA woman wakes up to find herself in the body of someone in Jane Austen's England. She has to figure out how to behave properly AND how to get back home. It was kind of a clever idea, but I thought the book meandered too much, left too many loose ends and just never came together.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
From the plane
So for awhile I have wanted to do a series of posts that are random images from Suriname with little stories or something for you. I just don't think there is enough fieldwork on this here blog. Here is the view from the plane on the way to our field site. The site is not on roads. You can take a bus for about 5 hours then a boat for three, or you can take a one hour plane ride. The plane is much easier and I have used it most. Often it is a little 5 person Cessna (my mom calls it a car with wings). I've never been scared in the plane -- it is a really awesome experience to feel flying so much, and as you can see the view is awesome.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
books!
77. Even the Wicked by Lawrence Block
78.. When the Sacred Ginmill Closes by Lawrence Block
Two more Matthew Scudder mysteries. I liked both ok, but after you read a lot of these in a row they tend to blend together.
79. Iron Council by China Mieville
I got this book because I love Mieville's "Un Lun Dun". This book is good, but totally different. "Iron Council" takes place in a grim and gritty distopian world and is about various groups fighting against a totalitarian government. It was very well-written. The world it is in is so complete to itself, I found it hard to understand and get into at times. It was a good book, but totally different than Un Lun Dun -- this one is pretty dark and harsh.
80. The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden by Catherynne M. Valente
81. The Orphan's Tales: In the Cities of Coin and Spice by Catherynne M. Valente
I loved both these books and if you read them, recommend you read them close together. They are the story of a mysterious girl who lives in the garden of a palace, and the stories she tells. All the stories are amazingly interwoven with each other. Great books.
78.. When the Sacred Ginmill Closes by Lawrence Block
Two more Matthew Scudder mysteries. I liked both ok, but after you read a lot of these in a row they tend to blend together.
79. Iron Council by China Mieville
I got this book because I love Mieville's "Un Lun Dun". This book is good, but totally different. "Iron Council" takes place in a grim and gritty distopian world and is about various groups fighting against a totalitarian government. It was very well-written. The world it is in is so complete to itself, I found it hard to understand and get into at times. It was a good book, but totally different than Un Lun Dun -- this one is pretty dark and harsh.
80. The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden by Catherynne M. Valente
81. The Orphan's Tales: In the Cities of Coin and Spice by Catherynne M. Valente
I loved both these books and if you read them, recommend you read them close together. They are the story of a mysterious girl who lives in the garden of a palace, and the stories she tells. All the stories are amazingly interwoven with each other. Great books.
Ready to go
My poster came out very well and I am all packed and ready to leave in a bit. I'm going to teach and then I will go straight from school to the airport. woo!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
My miraculous cure
Some of you may know/remember that I have a coughing problem. I have been coughing for years. Loud hacking coughs that do not stop. Awhile ago some doctor told me t was asthma, gave me some inhalers and away I went. Eventually, the inhalers stopped working so well so I went to another doctor who said no no! This is not asthma! It is allergies! He gave me an allergy shot and I took Claritin, but I still coughed, especially at night. Finally we moved here and I got access to the same health care as University of Chicago students. I went to see a nurse practitioner (I looove nurse practitioners) and she decided it was both asthma and some allergies, but most importantly it was post nasal drip. She hooked me up with some Flonase AND told me to get a neti pot. I have coveted a neti pot for awhile, especially after Maven blogged about it. But for some reason or another I never got around to it. When the NP told me too, though, I ran right to the Natural Foods store. And let me tell you. I love that thing. I seriously did not know a person was supposed to get this much oxygen in one breath. I breathe way better and I do not cough at night. It is miraculous and thanks to a $13 ceramic pot and pouring some salt water through my nose once a day.
If you have allergies/asthma/any breathing problems, get yourself a neti pot STAT. They rule.
If you have allergies/asthma/any breathing problems, get yourself a neti pot STAT. They rule.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Tired
Today is my long teaching day and I am tired and have headache. I have nothing else to write and I think I am going to to go bed early.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Plush Kidney
We're studying the urinary system in my anatomy class this week and while looking around for gross pictures to chow my students I came across this stuffed kidney toy. For when "urine love!" ha ha ha! Love it.
Much better
I am better already. Sometimes you just need a day to be sad and take to one's bed, you know? Anyway, today I woke up and my eye was NOT crusted shut. I think there is hope. Also, laying around and being sad yesterday gave me motivation to get all kinds of work done today. Here is a fabulous glimpse into my life and my to-do list for today. Watch as I hopefully cross some of it off!
*re-read poster, incorporate comments
*send poster to Kinko's to print
*prep A&P -- week 1
*prep A&P -- week 2
*Prep anthro -- week 1
*Prep anthro -- week 2
*chapter 4 -- get draft of discussion
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*prep A&P -- week 2
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*Prep anthro -- week 2
*chapter 4 -- get draft of discussion
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Blah day
I am tired today and I have the blahs. I am depressed because I did not do enough work today, but I didn't work very much because I was tired and blah. Anyway. My eye is not very improved. I am stressed out about it because I have a conference to go to on Wednesday AND I teach two classes on Monday. The doctor said to go back if it is not better Monday, but I think I will have to cancel a class to do that and that sucks. One of my schools is very down on canceling classes, and both places will most likely dock my pay. Being an adjunct is not the glamorous life you might imagines. Also, I tried to make a 100% whole wheat bread and it did not rise. I have another loaf in now of my trusty white/wheat mix, as we are trying to not buy bread any more but I am concerned it is also not rising....hmmm....
Friday, November 14, 2008
Eye eye
The doctor said my pinkeye is "impressive". Go me. She gave me some eye drops and said to come back if it is not better Monday. I kind of feel like it is better already, though. I also got a flu shot and then bought myself a Gingersnap Latte. The latte was disappointing. It was not very gingersnappy. Alas.
On Wednesday I am leaving for my conference. I have realized this is going to impact my every day blogging so I am cheating and putting some posts in the queue to post while I am gone. Hope you enjoy!
On Wednesday I am leaving for my conference. I have realized this is going to impact my every day blogging so I am cheating and putting some posts in the queue to post while I am gone. Hope you enjoy!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The plague (of the eye)
People! I think I have pinkeye. It is gross. Luckily I already have a doctor appointment tomorrow so I will just have them look at the eye too. I got almost all my to-do list done, even with the pinkeye.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My addiction
People, there is one thing in all the world that I am addicted to. Alas, it is a nerdy addiction. The subject of my addiction is the library. Not just books, or reading, but specifically the library. I learned this in the last week, when I returned two books to the drop box a day late. This resulted in a 40 cent fine. Most libraries of my acquaintance let you still use the library and request books online when you have such a small fine. Not the Chicago Public Library. The Chicago Public Library is serious about getting its books back on time. If you are even a day late and owe just a few cents, the Chicago Public Library freezes your account. You cannot just zip online and request books that look interesting. Nooooo.... you have to haul yourself, through the wind and rain, to the library in person and pay them those 40 cents. Then you can finally have all the access to the library you need. I have been a week with my account frozen and it was really getting to me. I didn't know where my next book was coming from. Was I getting passed over for the Twilight series? WHEN WOULD I GET MORE BOOKS????? Seriously, I was starting to freak out so I braved the wind and rain, browsed the stacks for 2 new books and handed over my 40 cents. Now all is right with the world.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The San Francisco Treat
So next week I am off to San Francisco, one of the things white people like, for a conference. This is my second time to this conference and there are very few people there who do what I do. This is good in some ways, as I can talk to those people more and we feel a certain solidarity. Also, I can become a leader in bringing what I do more into what goes on at this conference. It is all part of my master plan. Anyway, I already have some plans with friends in the area, but what else should I do in San Francisco? I have never been there and know nothing about it.
Monday, November 10, 2008
blogging every day
I totally wouldn't post tonight if I weren't trying to post every day. So here it is. I had two good classes but just got 4 emails in a row telling me some sob story about why various students hadn't been in class for weeks. Argh. I don't want to hear it any more.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
books!
73. Three Nights in August by Buzz Bissinger
This book is a really in depth look at a three game series between the Cardinals and the Cubs. Along the way it is also a lot about Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa. I was really impressed with how honest the book was, and how much access LaRussa gave the author. There are things in there that do not necessarily reflect well on the characters involved. It was also really cool to read about all the strategy in baseball, and all the quick decisions the manager makes. If you are at all interested in baseball, you should read this book. Although maybe not if you are a Cubs fan. :)
74. The Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart by Lawrence Block
My first Lawrence Block book. R's mom gave us a sack of these, as R enjoys them. I have not been making it too the library as much as usual so I've been picking these up when I need a fun read. I really liked this book. It is about a thief who owns a bookstore. He meets a mysterious woman, attends a Bogart film festival with her, and keeps involved in a mystery. Mom, you might like these! This is the only one of this series in our sack o' books, but I plan to get more from the library.
75. A Long Line of Dead Men by Lawrence Block
This is a different series, about Matt Scudder who was a police man, is a sober alcoholic (at the time of this book) and a private detective. This is not really a standard mystery, as there is no chance for the reader to figure it out. It is more a novel about crime with a really interesting main character. I liked this book as well, although not as much as The Burglar Who...
76. What the Best College Teachers Do by Ken Bain
A very good book about how to be a good college teacher. Bain did a multiyear study of college teachers that had a big impact on students, then dissects what made them special. Sometimes it was frustrating, because while I agreed with his points, it was hard to think how I would ever have the time to implement them. I plan to buy a copy of this book so I can study it more in depth. I recommend this book to anyone who is a teacher or interested in teaching and learning.
This book is a really in depth look at a three game series between the Cardinals and the Cubs. Along the way it is also a lot about Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa. I was really impressed with how honest the book was, and how much access LaRussa gave the author. There are things in there that do not necessarily reflect well on the characters involved. It was also really cool to read about all the strategy in baseball, and all the quick decisions the manager makes. If you are at all interested in baseball, you should read this book. Although maybe not if you are a Cubs fan. :)
74. The Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart by Lawrence Block
My first Lawrence Block book. R's mom gave us a sack of these, as R enjoys them. I have not been making it too the library as much as usual so I've been picking these up when I need a fun read. I really liked this book. It is about a thief who owns a bookstore. He meets a mysterious woman, attends a Bogart film festival with her, and keeps involved in a mystery. Mom, you might like these! This is the only one of this series in our sack o' books, but I plan to get more from the library.
75. A Long Line of Dead Men by Lawrence Block
This is a different series, about Matt Scudder who was a police man, is a sober alcoholic (at the time of this book) and a private detective. This is not really a standard mystery, as there is no chance for the reader to figure it out. It is more a novel about crime with a really interesting main character. I liked this book as well, although not as much as The Burglar Who...
76. What the Best College Teachers Do by Ken Bain
A very good book about how to be a good college teacher. Bain did a multiyear study of college teachers that had a big impact on students, then dissects what made them special. Sometimes it was frustrating, because while I agreed with his points, it was hard to think how I would ever have the time to implement them. I plan to buy a copy of this book so I can study it more in depth. I recommend this book to anyone who is a teacher or interested in teaching and learning.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
From 52 to 48 with Love
OK, eventually those of us who supported Obama will have to stop celebrating, and all of us will have to figure out how to get along. One thing about politics lately that bothers me, is that so many people prefer to not talk about it, rather than disagree. Disagreement is fine, people! I disagree all over the place with people I love and respect. It is no big thing. Just stay civil and don't degenerate to name-calling. I feel like this idea that disagreement is bad is really harming my students. More and more my students are unwilling to debate, which I think impairs their intellectual development. They don't know how to choose sides of an issue and support arguments. That is no good!
So, in the spirit of coming together, I give you a link to From 52 to 48 With Love.
So, in the spirit of coming together, I give you a link to From 52 to 48 With Love.
Friday, November 07, 2008
My election post
This is more serious and long than I usually get here, but the election has really affected me somehow. I saw so many people cheering and jumping around Tuesday night and I just didn't feel that. I do feel the historical moment, and I am hopeful yet cautious. But I also feel that I finally have someone in politics I can relate to a little bit. And I almost cried when I walked to the bus on Wednesday through my 38% black neighborhood and saw a very long line in front of the news stand of people wanting a paper for a souvenir. Somehow, that made it all seem real to me.
I was a Laurie come lately to the cult of Obama. I mean, he seemed cool, but I was leaning a little more towards Hillary during the primaries, I don't like the 2 party system at all, I am not registered in a party, and all mainstream politicians are too conservative for me. But somehow, as the election came closer, I got swept up in the excitement. I more and more did not want McCain, I more and more started to believe that Obama would be different. I started doing a little volunteering and I ended up calling 19 people in Missouri to remind them to vote. I still held back some, though, and I think I largely did not want to be disappointed. I was thinking about it the other day. For the first presidential election I could vote in, I voted for Clinton. In 2000 both Gore and Bush left me cold, and if I hadn't been in the jungle and unable to mail my absentee ballot back, I would have voted for Nader. My vast dislike of Bush lead me to support Kerry, and to knock on doors in Florida to get out the vote, even though Kerry did not inspire me at all. So really, for most of my adult life my options for president had not been exciting. There was no one I could get behind.
What is different about Obama? Maybe if he were running right after Clinton it wouldn't be such a big deal, but I am really happy we are going to have a president who thinks about things. Who understands the world in complex and nuanced. Who sees the US is not perfect, and wants to do something to make it better. The blustery patriotism of the last little while is not to my taste at all. I think it makes us forget how much we have to improve, how many people are left out of the "American Dream" and how stacked the cards are against many realizing that dream.
I have to admit, I never thought it was crazy that Michelle Obama said she hadn't been proud of the US in her life. Why should she, necessarily? Because we are big? Because we are a democracy? Because we are rich? In some ways we do have impressive ideals, but it seems to me we have squandered a lot of opportunities to live up to those ideals. This election, though, has made me proud of the USA. And I want to say thank you to it.
Thank you. Thank you for proving how awesome you can be on Tuesday. Thank you for realizing the badness of the last 8 years, for recognizing we have been going down the wrong path, and that we can be better. Thank you for not being as racist as I had feared. Thank you for letting more people into our political process. Voting rates of people of color and young people were up, voter registrations were up, and voter turnout was historic. Back when I took Latin American Studies I read about how a democracy cannot be successful without participation. How we need to think about who is participating, who is fully invested in their citizenship, and if people are not participating, why? If large parts of the population are not involved in the process, are we truly a democracy? What structures are shutting them out? Is it really their choice?
Before I was into Obama, I thought a lot of his rhetoric about change was too much. Unrealistic. But upon reflection, and from listening to more of what he says, it is not a big change we are looking for. I think the change of who voted, of who was at the rally in Grant Park, of all the diverse people in my neighborhood cheering and high fiving, of www.change.gov, of the Obama-Biden administration's anti-discrimination hiring policy (The Obama-Biden Transition Project does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by law. ), this change is a good first step. And I am excited to see where it takes us.
And finally, this part of Obama's acceptance speech spoke right to me, and where I was, and explains why I feel like I will finally have a president who understands me a little bit: "It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day." I was cynical. I thought there was little we could do to change, but I hope I have been proven a tiny bit wrong.
I was a Laurie come lately to the cult of Obama. I mean, he seemed cool, but I was leaning a little more towards Hillary during the primaries, I don't like the 2 party system at all, I am not registered in a party, and all mainstream politicians are too conservative for me. But somehow, as the election came closer, I got swept up in the excitement. I more and more did not want McCain, I more and more started to believe that Obama would be different. I started doing a little volunteering and I ended up calling 19 people in Missouri to remind them to vote. I still held back some, though, and I think I largely did not want to be disappointed. I was thinking about it the other day. For the first presidential election I could vote in, I voted for Clinton. In 2000 both Gore and Bush left me cold, and if I hadn't been in the jungle and unable to mail my absentee ballot back, I would have voted for Nader. My vast dislike of Bush lead me to support Kerry, and to knock on doors in Florida to get out the vote, even though Kerry did not inspire me at all. So really, for most of my adult life my options for president had not been exciting. There was no one I could get behind.
What is different about Obama? Maybe if he were running right after Clinton it wouldn't be such a big deal, but I am really happy we are going to have a president who thinks about things. Who understands the world in complex and nuanced. Who sees the US is not perfect, and wants to do something to make it better. The blustery patriotism of the last little while is not to my taste at all. I think it makes us forget how much we have to improve, how many people are left out of the "American Dream" and how stacked the cards are against many realizing that dream.
I have to admit, I never thought it was crazy that Michelle Obama said she hadn't been proud of the US in her life. Why should she, necessarily? Because we are big? Because we are a democracy? Because we are rich? In some ways we do have impressive ideals, but it seems to me we have squandered a lot of opportunities to live up to those ideals. This election, though, has made me proud of the USA. And I want to say thank you to it.
Thank you. Thank you for proving how awesome you can be on Tuesday. Thank you for realizing the badness of the last 8 years, for recognizing we have been going down the wrong path, and that we can be better. Thank you for not being as racist as I had feared. Thank you for letting more people into our political process. Voting rates of people of color and young people were up, voter registrations were up, and voter turnout was historic. Back when I took Latin American Studies I read about how a democracy cannot be successful without participation. How we need to think about who is participating, who is fully invested in their citizenship, and if people are not participating, why? If large parts of the population are not involved in the process, are we truly a democracy? What structures are shutting them out? Is it really their choice?
Before I was into Obama, I thought a lot of his rhetoric about change was too much. Unrealistic. But upon reflection, and from listening to more of what he says, it is not a big change we are looking for. I think the change of who voted, of who was at the rally in Grant Park, of all the diverse people in my neighborhood cheering and high fiving, of www.change.gov, of the Obama-Biden administration's anti-discrimination hiring policy (The Obama-Biden Transition Project does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by law. ), this change is a good first step. And I am excited to see where it takes us.
And finally, this part of Obama's acceptance speech spoke right to me, and where I was, and explains why I feel like I will finally have a president who understands me a little bit: "It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day." I was cynical. I thought there was little we could do to change, but I hope I have been proven a tiny bit wrong.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
obama cupcakes!
obama cupcakes!
Originally uploaded by mnkgrl
The famous Obama cupcakes I baked on Tuesday. They are devil's food with cream cheese frosting. Good, but I find devil's food just makes me wish for chocolate.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
so tired
Anyone who ever reads this blog can probably tell I am pleased with the presidential election results. It was awesome to be here in Chicago, and especially me and Obama's hood. R and I went to a friend's last night and as we walked home there will all kinds of people out just cheering and honking horns. It was super fun.
Obama's house does have a slightly increased security perimeter now, and I need to re-route my 2 mile run. Oh well. I will forgive him. :)
I want to post something more profound, but right now I am very tired. Hopefully I can remember it.
Obama's house does have a slightly increased security perimeter now, and I need to re-route my 2 mile run. Oh well. I will forgive him. :)
I want to post something more profound, but right now I am very tired. Hopefully I can remember it.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Vote!
Make sure and vote!
I just did. I am outraged, though, there are no "I voted" stickers here! That is half the fun.
I just did. I am outraged, though, there are no "I voted" stickers here! That is half the fun.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Crack smokin'
Did I say I would blog every day this month? Was I out of my mind? Yes to both. Anyway, here is your post. As I expected my days of not working bit me hard last night and this morning as I scrambled to prep my classes. But I did, and they were actually good classes. I feel like something has shifted since I gave midterms. Like we know it is all downhill from here, or they think I am less scary since they didn't all fail. Who knows.
I am excited to go vote tomorrow. I am contemplating making Obama cupcakes, inspired by the Yes We Cake website. We are going to a party at one of R's grad school friend's. It has been really fun living in Chicago for this election. I overhear SOOOOO many conversations about the election on the street and in between classes. R and walked by Obama's house tonight and there is a little extra security. We had a brief moment of excitement when we thought we might share a polling place with the Obamas, but a little research shows they are likely to vote elsewhere. Oh well.
I am excited to go vote tomorrow. I am contemplating making Obama cupcakes, inspired by the Yes We Cake website. We are going to a party at one of R's grad school friend's. It has been really fun living in Chicago for this election. I overhear SOOOOO many conversations about the election on the street and in between classes. R and walked by Obama's house tonight and there is a little extra security. We had a brief moment of excitement when we thought we might share a polling place with the Obamas, but a little research shows they are likely to vote elsewhere. Oh well.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Lofty Goal
So, I already missed a day, but I am going to try and post every day in November. I feel bad I neglect the blog so much. I often do not feel my life is exciting, but I think that is a negative way of looking at it, and perhaps through blogging more I will appreciate the unseen awesomeness in my life.
I have been a little sick the last few days -- it has mostly been just a never ending headache and a lot of tiredness. It did make me miss a Halloween Party, which I had been looking forward to and was going to dress like a witch for. BUT it has also made me just take the last two days to sit around, watch Persepolis, watch the old school BBC Chronicles of Narnia and relax. I feel way better today and more energized, so although I have 65 midterms to grade, classes to prep and that pesky dissertation to write, I think it was good I relaxed for awhile.
Now I am off to get some work done, as Monday will come no matter what and I really need to grade and figure out what to teach.
I have been a little sick the last few days -- it has mostly been just a never ending headache and a lot of tiredness. It did make me miss a Halloween Party, which I had been looking forward to and was going to dress like a witch for. BUT it has also made me just take the last two days to sit around, watch Persepolis, watch the old school BBC Chronicles of Narnia and relax. I feel way better today and more energized, so although I have 65 midterms to grade, classes to prep and that pesky dissertation to write, I think it was good I relaxed for awhile.
Now I am off to get some work done, as Monday will come no matter what and I really need to grade and figure out what to teach.
Friday, October 31, 2008
No on Prop 8
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!
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!
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.
