Seriously, I had almost forgotten that I have a blog. Summer whizzed by way to fast and before I knew it the time had come to ditch my job of twenty-two years and become a full-time student instead of perpetually being a full-time employee and part-time student. It felt like it meant that I wasn't serious about my education, which is far from accurate and unfair to mature students trying to juggle life and school. Anyway, I have officially moved on to a new life and I couldn't be happier with this decision, difficult as it was as well as a long time in coming.
I'm already almost three weeks into the fall semester and I'm sinking fast and questioning my sanity. I thought I would have lots of time for my classes since I am no longer employed, but I don't believe it's going to work out that way after all. For the first time, all of my current classes require a paper, plus book reviews, and so on. The scary part is my Senior Seminar class which requires the longest paper (only 4500-6000 words, but still) and requires a quick decision on my part as to my topic, question, and thesis. I'm not known for making quick decisions. If I do make a quick decision I will probably just change my mind anyway, so why bother? It's best when I can just take my time about these things, which is also why I am completing my education as an adult student.
Next Wednesday is the deadline for turning in my prospectus and bibliography for my seminar paper. I feel like my professor doesn't really like my chosen topic (Nellie Bly and the role of female reporters during the progressive movement, or something along those lines) and my initial excitement has given way to trepidation. Well, maybe not exactly trepidation, but more like panic. I'm waffling, as usual. He wants me to do something about Louis Post and the Red Scare or making peace with Spain, presumbly about the Spanish-American War, topics which I know absolutely nothing about. I am leaning toward letting go of Nellie Bly, but I have to decide yesterday and this is causing me a great deal of stress. Just decide already!
Moving on, my classes this semester are, in addition to Senior Seminar, Literature of the Ozarks, Fundamentals of Tourism, and History of the Middle East from 600-1914. I'm wondering why I chose to do all of these classes this semester and leave only one class for my last semester in the spring, but it must have seemed like a good idea at the time.
The best thing so far about this semester so far have been the trips with the seminar class to both the school and the county archives. It was fascinating to read arrest reports, almshouse ledgers, and old coroner reports. Apparently, back in the 1920's our county had quite a number so suicides by carbolic acid. All very intersting; I just wasn't sure how to make a paper out of any of it.
So here I am, trying to make a very important decision: Nellie Bly, the Red Scare, or the Spanish-American War. Suggestions anyone?
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Good-bye Spring, Hello Train
I still can't believe that I got to see Train! They were the closing act last Saturday night for our first ever Show Me Music Festival weekend concert series. I gave up an arm and a leg for a 3-day pass just so I could be there to see Train. I was a bit upset the next month when 1-day passes suddenly became available. Oh well, at least I was there and ever so close to the stage.
Unfortunately, I did not catch the hat when Pat Monahan threw it into the crowd, but I will nonetheless see that he is immortalized in his "cowboy" moment. Most of the concert was country music; Train was the major exception. In a nod to the country music majority he donned a cowboy hat and quickly sang a country-style song of which I didn't understand a word but thoroughly enjoyed anyway.
Then came the bad news...a storm was fast approaching and, with the Joplin destruction fresh in mind, Train was given time to sing only three more songs and then, for the safety of the concert goers and and performers, the concert would have to be cut short. I was crushed, to put it mildly! We barely had an hour with them and then they were gone. They sang "Drops of Jupiter" last, then quickly left the stage. As the crowd drifted away the lightning began to flash and the tornado sirens began to sing. Having seen a tornado up close a few years ago, I take the warnings very seriously. Still, if only Train had been able to finish the concert...
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Springtime in the Ozarks
{Sigh} I'm having a terrible time with these pictures. They won't go where I want them to go.
Anyway, the second picture is what's left of a STOP sign right below Powersite Dam. All of the lakes and rivers in the area are flooded and the dam gates have frequently been opened, leading to even more flooding. Powersite Dam was completed in 1913 and is the oldest dam in the Ozarks. I'm not sure of the typical lifespan of such a structure, but I can't help but think that 100 years is pretty darned old for a dam. What are the ramifications of a region containing a large population of aging dams?
Spring flowers are everywhere, quietly waving in the breeze. They seem so peaceful and dignified compared to the noise of the cicadas and the rush of the flood waters.
I'm having computer problems so right now I'm borrowing my husbands laptop. It may be few days before mine is ready from the repair shop. I've been having terrible internet withdrawals. Thank goodness for smart phones that allow Twitter and Facebook access!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Bore, Boring, Bored...
In case it isn't obvious, I'm bored with his blog. I'm bored with the look and the feel of it and I'm bored with my own words. I'm just bored. It's time to shake things up, though I'm not sure how.
Or maybe I do know how. After twenty-two years at the same job, I finally gave notice last week. I know you can't hear my heart pounding with joy or see it thumping against my chest, but I assure you, it is. I wasn't sure if I would ever get to say the words "my last day will be...", but now they have been said and they cannot be taken back. I look forward to full-time school in the fall with no work encumbrance or accompanying stress. I look forward to having time to focus on my senior paper and to spending more time on campus acting like a real student. I also look forward to increased involvement in the PAT, the history honor society, of which I am now the treasurer. Nothing boring about that; it's almost as exciting as quiting my job!
For a recap of the Spring semester, I completed my three classes with two A's and a B. Yes, I received my first B and am still alive to tell about it. I almost don't mind the grade; to mind I would have to be less bored. I do mind a little, however. I strongly disliked the class, but I can't help but think that with a little more effort I could have received a better grade. Oh well, it's water under the bridge now. In the mean time, I've registered for my classes next fall: Senior Seminar, Literature of the Ozarks, Fundamentals of Tourism, and History of the Middle East from 600 AD (or ACE, or whatever is politically correct at the moment). I'm looking forward to everything except the Tourism class, but hopefully it will be interesting.
On a totally unrelated topic, please remember the people of Joplin, Missouri in your thoughts and prayers. A town of 50,000 about an hour away from my home, they were hit by an EF5 (which is as big as they come) tornado Sunday evening. Having seen a tornado out my back door in 2003, I know the fear they inspire and the devastation they cause. We were lucky; it skipped our house and the two next to us, but took out the rest of the road in our neighborhood. The tornado in Joplin didn't skip anything; it was just too big.
Or maybe I do know how. After twenty-two years at the same job, I finally gave notice last week. I know you can't hear my heart pounding with joy or see it thumping against my chest, but I assure you, it is. I wasn't sure if I would ever get to say the words "my last day will be...", but now they have been said and they cannot be taken back. I look forward to full-time school in the fall with no work encumbrance or accompanying stress. I look forward to having time to focus on my senior paper and to spending more time on campus acting like a real student. I also look forward to increased involvement in the PAT, the history honor society, of which I am now the treasurer. Nothing boring about that; it's almost as exciting as quiting my job!
For a recap of the Spring semester, I completed my three classes with two A's and a B. Yes, I received my first B and am still alive to tell about it. I almost don't mind the grade; to mind I would have to be less bored. I do mind a little, however. I strongly disliked the class, but I can't help but think that with a little more effort I could have received a better grade. Oh well, it's water under the bridge now. In the mean time, I've registered for my classes next fall: Senior Seminar, Literature of the Ozarks, Fundamentals of Tourism, and History of the Middle East from 600 AD (or ACE, or whatever is politically correct at the moment). I'm looking forward to everything except the Tourism class, but hopefully it will be interesting.
On a totally unrelated topic, please remember the people of Joplin, Missouri in your thoughts and prayers. A town of 50,000 about an hour away from my home, they were hit by an EF5 (which is as big as they come) tornado Sunday evening. Having seen a tornado out my back door in 2003, I know the fear they inspire and the devastation they cause. We were lucky; it skipped our house and the two next to us, but took out the rest of the road in our neighborhood. The tornado in Joplin didn't skip anything; it was just too big.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Yep, it's been a while. I've been meeting myself coming and going and I don't feel like I'm getting anything accomplished. Last week was a test on Machiavelli; next week I have a paper due for which I have not written a single word and I am extremely stressed about it. I'm not doing as well this semester as I would like. I am also not as focused as I usually am. School always comes first with me and I have been unable to make that happen this time around. Babysitting duties and other peoples drama are increasingly interfering with school work and I'm realizing that I am not good at setting boundaries. On the other hand, should I always be placing school ahead of everything else?
Just three more week, two papers, and three tests and it will all be over until August. Not that I'm counting the days, or anything...
Just three more week, two papers, and three tests and it will all be over until August. Not that I'm counting the days, or anything...
Thursday, March 3, 2011
How exciting to be nominated for the Stylish Blogger Award! Many thanks to my non-trad friends at Going the Distance, Academic Proofreeder, and My Life as a Mature Age Student for the nomination!
The rules are as follows: thank those who nominated you and link to their blog; copy and paste the award to your blog; list seven things about yourself; and list fifteen blogs that you regularly read. Here goes.....
7 Things
- I skipped kindergarten and went straight to first grade. Not sure why.
- I've watched Lord of the Rings about a million times and plan to watch it a million more.
- I'm desperate to be a world traveler, but so far have only made it as far as Canada.
- Chocolate is my favorite food group
- I once ran 10 miles. Never want to do it again.
- I love hiking almost as much as I love to read.
- I want to go an a BIG adventure.
Phew, that was difficult! Now for the blog list...
- Academic Proofreader
- Going the Distance
- My Life as a Mature Age Student
- Diaries of a Neurotic Non-Trad
- Old Girl at Uni
- Student Mum
- Joze Blog
- Sweet Sue
- Blossom's Blog
- Well, so this is all I can come up with that I read on a regular basis. I would like to consistently read more blogs, but I have too much reading and writing to do for school to fit in any more blogs right now. Someday.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Well, so the snow is finally gone and the crocus are blooming and next week is midterms. It's hard to believe that the semester is already almost half over. Life is going by way too fast. On the other had, it feels like I've been doing this school thing forever and when will it ever end?
Next week I have two tests on Tuesday so I need to keep my nose stuck in the books for the next few days. I guess I don't need to have a life right now, but I am finding that hard to accept. I've reached the point where I want my life back and it is hard for me to focus solely on school.
As for my Renaissance class, well, I'm not at all happy with it. I'm not alone in not understanding where the class is going, and just when I thought I might finally be getting a little insight but...well, our assignment was to read one of Petrarch's letters, which was about the inability of humankind to know everything there is to know (ignorance, to be precise), but apparently a couple of youngsters in class did not get point (even though it was in the title of the letter) and proceeded to make it a theological debate which no one understood except maybe themselves. Every time the professor tried (rather lamely, I might add) to steer them in the right direction they argued with him and asserted the correctness of their own positions.
Bottom line, I don't feel like I'm learning much in this class. Nothing was accomplished in our discussion of Petrarch because the entire class session was co-opted by two people who certain that the truth lies with them alone. I'm just grateful that our midterm has been postponed because of the snow days we had earlier in the month. I'm also grateful that he is not requiring us to write the paper that is usually necessary for this class. We all feel like we are in enough trouble come test time as it is.
Sorry for the rant. I was just extremely miffed after class today.
On a happier note, next weekend I'm off to big college town to do some research in the archives. A couple of professors at my university are involved in a project about how the French wine industry was saved by a Missouri man. There is going to be a big to do about it in April, so a few of us in PAT (Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society) are being dispersed across the state to various archives to collect information. I'm so excited to have even a minuscule involvement in the project! More news when I get back from college town.
Next week I have two tests on Tuesday so I need to keep my nose stuck in the books for the next few days. I guess I don't need to have a life right now, but I am finding that hard to accept. I've reached the point where I want my life back and it is hard for me to focus solely on school.
As for my Renaissance class, well, I'm not at all happy with it. I'm not alone in not understanding where the class is going, and just when I thought I might finally be getting a little insight but...well, our assignment was to read one of Petrarch's letters, which was about the inability of humankind to know everything there is to know (ignorance, to be precise), but apparently a couple of youngsters in class did not get point (even though it was in the title of the letter) and proceeded to make it a theological debate which no one understood except maybe themselves. Every time the professor tried (rather lamely, I might add) to steer them in the right direction they argued with him and asserted the correctness of their own positions.
Bottom line, I don't feel like I'm learning much in this class. Nothing was accomplished in our discussion of Petrarch because the entire class session was co-opted by two people who certain that the truth lies with them alone. I'm just grateful that our midterm has been postponed because of the snow days we had earlier in the month. I'm also grateful that he is not requiring us to write the paper that is usually necessary for this class. We all feel like we are in enough trouble come test time as it is.
Sorry for the rant. I was just extremely miffed after class today.
On a happier note, next weekend I'm off to big college town to do some research in the archives. A couple of professors at my university are involved in a project about how the French wine industry was saved by a Missouri man. There is going to be a big to do about it in April, so a few of us in PAT (Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society) are being dispersed across the state to various archives to collect information. I'm so excited to have even a minuscule involvement in the project! More news when I get back from college town.
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