It's my birthday and I get to celebrate by grading papers and giving an exam.
Woo.
Woowee.
I may treat myself to a little shopping here or here to round out the day. That's as exciting as it gets around here until grades get turned in.
Finals--I Need a Vacation
As usual, it is finals time, and I'm scrambling to get on top of all these papers and projects that I assigned. My students are right to ask--why do we all do this every semester? I know that it is important for them to be able to write and put together all of the knowledge that they've learned. But goodness, this means more grading than I really have the patience for at this moment. So before Dr. J gets in town next week (YEAH!) and we begin our whirlwind of holiday/wedding related activities, I need to:
So with all of this end of the semester stuff going on, we took some time tonight to do something we've just been talking about forever--planning our honeymoon. We are actually now officially going on vacation. After the wedding we'll be heading to Hawaii! We have our plane tickets booked and our hotel reserved.
I wish we could take this vacation now!
Administer one more final examGrade finals from Major Course #1Grade finals from Major Course #2Grade final essays from Major Course #1(fortunately these are rewrites so I don't really have to read them)- Grade final essays from Major Course #2
Finish grading final projects for Specialty Class (only seven more to go--I'll finish them the next time I'm in the office)- Finish an essay and submit it to a journal
So with all of this end of the semester stuff going on, we took some time tonight to do something we've just been talking about forever--planning our honeymoon. We are actually now officially going on vacation. After the wedding we'll be heading to Hawaii! We have our plane tickets booked and our hotel reserved.
I wish we could take this vacation now!Still at It
Call me crazy--call me determined--I am still grading. I haven't stopped other than to sleep, teach, and go to meetings. I will finish before the last day of class. I will!
I need at least one weekend to remember what life is like when you don't have grading hanging over you--leering at you from the corner of the couch. I will have that weekend--this weekend.
Of course I've managed to add a few more tasks somehow in the matter of two days:
--Grade 30 more response papers for Major Class (despite the fact that I give them options throughout the semester, of course most everyone waits until the last minute)
--Calculate the scores for 4 more presentations for Major Class
--Grade 10 final presentations from Specialty Class (Presentations on their projects are the final for this class--they'll finish the rest during exams)
I will make it.
I am still at it...
I need at least one weekend to remember what life is like when you don't have grading hanging over you--leering at you from the corner of the couch. I will have that weekend--this weekend.
Of course I've managed to add a few more tasks somehow in the matter of two days:
--
--
--
I will make it.
I am still at it...
House Work
After days of eating like I don't have a wedding dress to get into, I'm finally back at home readjusting to my normal routine.
Today is a work day--even though it should be my writing day. It is the last week of classes here, so I must get caught up on this grading before exams begin. My must-finish work for today includes:
I probably won't get to these today, but I need to finish some work for my Wednesday class as well:
And of course, at some point I need:
This is going to require some coffee at some point.
Today is a work day--even though it should be my writing day. It is the last week of classes here, so I must get caught up on this grading before exams begin. My must-finish work for today includes:
- Grade
156 Textual Analysis Papers (6+ pgs. each) Grade 40 Reading Response Papers (2 pgs. each)Calculate Scores for 8 Presentations
I probably won't get to these today, but I need to finish some work for my Wednesday class as well:
- Grade 24 Current Event Response Papers
- Write up Evaluation Rubric for Final Project
- Grade 12 Current Event Response Papers
And of course, at some point I need:
Finish Cover Letters for Schools near Dr. J
This is going to require some coffee at some point.
Engagement Update
Dr. J and I haven't spent nearly enough time together this semester. I can't wait until he comes home for the winter break! I saw him in October during a conference, and he was here earlier this month to take care of some wedding business. This included getting our engagement photos done (finally)!
I won't keep this up long, but if you want to take a look:
**Photos removed**
UPDATE: These are my favorite pictures ever!! Especially since I've started this whole rediscovering my hair process (it should be noted that this is probably my least favorite hairstyle of the ones I've tried so far). I just had to share--forgive the self-absorbed moment--but this is a blog after all!
We had no idea our photographer took so many good pictures--we have about 100 shots and I'm sure that there were some he threw out. I'm extra excited about our wedding day now--I think this was the boost we both needed. Both of our classes were extra lame today (day before break malaise) so we've been looking at our pictures between classes to keep our energy up!
I won't keep this up long, but if you want to take a look:
**Photos removed**
UPDATE: These are my favorite pictures ever!! Especially since I've started this whole rediscovering my hair process (it should be noted that this is probably my least favorite hairstyle of the ones I've tried so far). I just had to share--forgive the self-absorbed moment--but this is a blog after all!
We had no idea our photographer took so many good pictures--we have about 100 shots and I'm sure that there were some he threw out. I'm extra excited about our wedding day now--I think this was the boost we both needed. Both of our classes were extra lame today (day before break malaise) so we've been looking at our pictures between classes to keep our energy up!
Conference Review
I'm back in Gorgeous City (where the weather is still warm during the day) after a very chilly conference in Windy City. The conference was fun, but very busy. I didn't get much sleep so I slept for about 10 hours last night after my flight got in--it was much needed.
During the conference I:
During the conference I:
- Presented three papers, all of which were pretty well received. One of the big names in the discipline responded to one of my papers and requested a copy of my dissertation. I need to get that to her soon.
- Attended a number of interesting papers and panels--one of which gave a call for papers at the end.
- Hung out with my Matron of Honor and her husband. It was SO great to seem them. I can't wait until they get to come South for my wedding--I always seem to see them in the Midwest or the West.
- Made a new friend--Meg (or at least transformed an acquaintanceship into a bit more)! While I was in graduate school, there was a woman in the department similar to mine who sent out an email asking for participants for her Master's Thesis study. I hooked her up with my students and encouraged them to participate for extra credit. Ever since then, we stayed in touch, but never really hung out. Her advisor works on projects with Matron of Honor's husband, so we always cross paths at conferences. But this was the first conference during which we've spent time together. We had a really good time and it is nice to connect with another woman of color who is also a second year faculty member.
- Interviewed with three schools. Two of the schools are within an hour of Dr. J, but at least one of those schools has a 4/4 teaching load, and so it is taking everything in me not to rule it out completely. It is the type of institution I would like to teach it--very similar to where I am currently, but the department is brand new (it use to be a part of a MUCH larger division). The third school that I had the best interview with is an R1 and I've found myself hoping more and more that they'll invite me to campus. It would mean Dr. J would have to relocate again (which I don't like the idea of), but it would give me a great opportunity to work with great colleagues and to be on the same campus as Meg!
- Ate out way too much. (But I had some wonderful desserts!)
- Didn't finish grading papers--which means I'll be up all night tonight so I can get these things back to them before Thanksgiving.
Looking for Wedding Songs
I want my cousin to sing at my wedding, and I'm looking for a good song for his range that will sound nice with just a piano. I'm thinking about this song:
Any other recommendations?
Any other recommendations?
Whining Moment: Job Woes
After going to a wonderful conference earlier this month, I was hoping to do a better job with research and writing during the second half of the semester. My efforts have pretty much been in vain, as I just can't seem to get caught up with my students this semester or avoid trips to Hometown for one wedding thing or another.
To add to my "issues" of the moment, I finally decided this week (or rather the deadlines finally motivated me) that I should really get my act in gear to apply for jobs for upcoming Major Conference. I've been putting it off--hoping that some miracle would occur for Dr. J to have a job here in Gorgeous City or for me to have one in River City. No such luck.
Suddenly, in writing a cover letter it becomes even more apparent that I really have no reason to be applying to institutions that are near Dr. J--several have high research standards and make that very apparent in their ads. I feel so completely underqualified and overwhelmed. I'm fighting every second the urge to just through in the towel and say why bother.
But being closer to Dr. J is definitely worth battling the immense feelings of inferiority I have right now in asking some of these institutions to consider hiring me based on "potential."
To add to my "issues" of the moment, I finally decided this week (or rather the deadlines finally motivated me) that I should really get my act in gear to apply for jobs for upcoming Major Conference. I've been putting it off--hoping that some miracle would occur for Dr. J to have a job here in Gorgeous City or for me to have one in River City. No such luck.
Suddenly, in writing a cover letter it becomes even more apparent that I really have no reason to be applying to institutions that are near Dr. J--several have high research standards and make that very apparent in their ads. I feel so completely underqualified and overwhelmed. I'm fighting every second the urge to just through in the towel and say why bother.
But being closer to Dr. J is definitely worth battling the immense feelings of inferiority I have right now in asking some of these institutions to consider hiring me based on "potential."
Tired and Pitiful
I'm exhausted. I've been working around the clock since I got back from the conference and seeing Dr. J. I feel like I'm never going to get caught up on grading. I'm about 2-3 weeks behind as it is, and I had a fresh new stack of papers waiting for me when I got back from the conference.
Sigh.
Much to blog about but I'm tired. Pitifully tired.
Sigh.
Much to blog about but I'm tired. Pitifully tired.
Committee Work
There is exciting news for my department--we have been approved to search for a new faculty member in my specialty area. As we are already the largest department in the college, I am sure there will be some moans and groans, but this will really help to meet student demands in specialty area. Now that I am teaching this new course this semester, more and more students approach me/email me asking when it will be taught again. So it is exciting to know that this will become a part of our regular course offerings.
But this news brings up two issues. This will be the second of potentially three searches we are conducting this year. My department is constantly searching and not even because we keep losing people--we just don't seem to ever stop growing. Of the three searches, only one is to replace a member who relocated--the other two are new lines. It just seems crazy to be searching all of the time to me--and I just got here. I wonder how the more senior faculty feel....
Oh and I've just been informed that I am on the search committee. I honestly don't know if I'm looking for a colleague or a replacement. I may or may not be around next year so it feels weird to be invited to participate in this process. Chair knows that my situation is still developing so I assume s/he is okay with this since s/he designed the search committee. But I just don't know how to feel about this yet.
But this news brings up two issues. This will be the second of potentially three searches we are conducting this year. My department is constantly searching and not even because we keep losing people--we just don't seem to ever stop growing. Of the three searches, only one is to replace a member who relocated--the other two are new lines. It just seems crazy to be searching all of the time to me--and I just got here. I wonder how the more senior faculty feel....
Oh and I've just been informed that I am on the search committee. I honestly don't know if I'm looking for a colleague or a replacement. I may or may not be around next year so it feels weird to be invited to participate in this process. Chair knows that my situation is still developing so I assume s/he is okay with this since s/he designed the search committee. But I just don't know how to feel about this yet.
Busy Wedding Weekend
I made a quick run to Hometown to handle some wedding business. Long story short, although our issues with the venue continue, we are making progress on finalizing the menu. It was tough going to the tasting without Dr. J being there. But since I wasn't completely satisfied with the chicken dish (too creamy), it looks like we'll have to schedule a second tasting.
Here's my favorites from the tasting:
Here's my favorites from the tasting:
A very very tasty vegetable and pepperjack cheese stuffed mushroom.
My favorite entree of the day (which may not be on the menu due to venue pricing changes) was the stuffed shrimp. Absolutely wonderful!!
Of course, we will be serving our wedding cake, but the menu comes with its own dessert choices. The best option was the cheesecake (with our choice of garnish--this one was a key lime and lemon scrape). So we have to make a decision--should we serve both cake and cheesecake and allow guests to choose? Or just go with the wedding cake?
My favorite entree of the day (which may not be on the menu due to venue pricing changes) was the stuffed shrimp. Absolutely wonderful!!Of course, we will be serving our wedding cake, but the menu comes with its own dessert choices. The best option was the cheesecake (with our choice of garnish--this one was a key lime and lemon scrape). So we have to make a decision--should we serve both cake and cheesecake and allow guests to choose? Or just go with the wedding cake?That was part of my weekend. The other part was that I finally picked up our Save the Dates/Hotel Info cards and put down the deposit on our cake. So I've been obsessing about finding everyone's address today when I was supposed to be working on my conference paper. Sigh.
Getting it Together
It is wonderful how God puts certain people in your life at just the right time. This semester we have an amazing scholar in residence--a true pioneer in Black women's studies. I somehow mustered up the courage to ask her to join me for lunch, and we had a wonderful conversation today. In her questions about my work, it became very obvious that I have serious issues with my discipline that have kept me from sending out more of my work. She gave me a serious (but sweet) kick in the behind to get moving. But I also received from her something that I hadn't gotten anywhere else--affirmation that I'm not crazy! She has an amazing sense of the academic landscape and was able to confirm that yes, my discipline is a little slow when it comes to race and gender. But she was really able to help me see possible avenues to get my work out in my field, and also in other forums that might give me the feedback I need to strengthen my work within my discipline.
The timing of this conversation was amazing because just on Friday, for the first time in a long time, I had the desire to work on my own stuff. I've been making plans to work--plans to write for a while, but the desire--the motivation--has been gone. It is nice that it is finally coming back, and just in time for me to have this wonderfully inspiring conversation with a preeminent scholar who has truly been there--done that.
I have some serious work to do this semester--not just because I'm on the market--not just because I need in on my CV--but because I want to and I need to. My discipline needs some new perspectives and talking about my work with someone who knows so much definitely helped me see today that I do have new perspectives to offer. I just need to put pen to paper and get going! I just wasn't in a good place last year to invest myself in writing again. And I'm okay with that. I can't feel bad about it or call it a "loss" (which is how I think I have been thinking of the past year academically). Last year was a big transition for me in a lot of ways and I am blessed to be on the other side of that.
So here's to getting it together. Finally.
The timing of this conversation was amazing because just on Friday, for the first time in a long time, I had the desire to work on my own stuff. I've been making plans to work--plans to write for a while, but the desire--the motivation--has been gone. It is nice that it is finally coming back, and just in time for me to have this wonderfully inspiring conversation with a preeminent scholar who has truly been there--done that.
I have some serious work to do this semester--not just because I'm on the market--not just because I need in on my CV--but because I want to and I need to. My discipline needs some new perspectives and talking about my work with someone who knows so much definitely helped me see today that I do have new perspectives to offer. I just need to put pen to paper and get going! I just wasn't in a good place last year to invest myself in writing again. And I'm okay with that. I can't feel bad about it or call it a "loss" (which is how I think I have been thinking of the past year academically). Last year was a big transition for me in a lot of ways and I am blessed to be on the other side of that.
So here's to getting it together. Finally.
We Object!
After my recent post about "professional hair," I was surprised to hear about this Glamour editor who recently gave a presentation before a law firm.
First slide up: an African-American woman sporting an Afro. A real no-no, announced the Glamoureditor to the 40 or so lawyers in the room. As for dreadlocks: Howtruly dreadful! The style maven said it was "shocking" that some peoplestill think it "appropriate" to wear those hairstyles at the office."No offense," she sniffed, but those "political" hairstyles really haveto go.
Now, of course, I'm wondering why the editor of Glamour is speaking to this law firm, but in any case, this story is a trip. Law.com - Cleary Gottlieb Has a Bad Hair Day. Apparently there has been lots of reaction--I'm just a little late: Law.com - Bloggers Fan the Fury Over Hairstyle Advice to Cleary's African-American Lawyers.
technorati tags:hair
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Facing Week Three--Already
It is incredible how the first two weeks of classes have flown by already. I'm already exhausted and wishing that Fall Break was here. But I'm also feeling more confident--more assured about my classes. My Major Course, which I'm teaching only for the third time, is finally feeling comfortable. From its inception, it has been a fun course to teach--it encourages student discussion on a lot of current events. However, this semester I can already see that I am getting better at encouraging student discussions. I lead conversations less; I let the material dictate more. I'm more comfortable with getting off track. I'm more comfortable with throwing the class back on track when necessary. My use of technology is definitely more effective. And most of all, I'm having more fun.
My spirit is lighter this semester. Despite the fact that Dr. J and I are farther apart than every and I miss him terribly, I finally feel like each week down is one week closer to our marriage and our life together. Yes, that's always been the case--its not like the wedding date has moved--but it feels more real now. There is definitely something to his just being done with school and having a place that will soon be our home that makes everything all the more real. The light is finally appearing at the end of the tunnel.
But I digress, week three is approaching and I am looking forward to Specialty Course. I think I have overcome my discouragement about the last Specialty Course I taught. It helps to have more students in this course who are vocal--and the topic is more appealing to a broad audience. Still, the change is most apparent in the way I feel about teaching the class--even though I am not a practitioner in this area and it really isn't my specialty. I am, so far at least, enjoying the challenge and really trying to let my personal interests and excitement about the topic drive the course. I'm letting go of the areas I know little to nothing about and scheduling helps a great deal with that.
Now of course, this is all before any major grading is done.
My spirit is lighter this semester. Despite the fact that Dr. J and I are farther apart than every and I miss him terribly, I finally feel like each week down is one week closer to our marriage and our life together. Yes, that's always been the case--its not like the wedding date has moved--but it feels more real now. There is definitely something to his just being done with school and having a place that will soon be our home that makes everything all the more real. The light is finally appearing at the end of the tunnel.
But I digress, week three is approaching and I am looking forward to Specialty Course. I think I have overcome my discouragement about the last Specialty Course I taught. It helps to have more students in this course who are vocal--and the topic is more appealing to a broad audience. Still, the change is most apparent in the way I feel about teaching the class--even though I am not a practitioner in this area and it really isn't my specialty. I am, so far at least, enjoying the challenge and really trying to let my personal interests and excitement about the topic drive the course. I'm letting go of the areas I know little to nothing about and scheduling helps a great deal with that.
Now of course, this is all before any major grading is done.
Four Things
Just in time for a much needed break on HumpDayWednesday, I've been tagged by Ragey to tell you all four things!
4 jobs I've had in my life
-file clerk
-candy striper
-teacher
-retail sales
4 place I've lived
-Capital City, V A
-Middle of Nowhere, P A
-Hometown
-Gorgeous City
4 favorite foods
-shrimp
-sweet potatoes
-chocolate anything
-turkey wings
4 places I'd rather be
-in River City with Dr. J
-cruising along the Mediterranean
-San Diego
-on my honeymoon with Dr. J
4 movies I can watch over and over
This changes for me every month--right now I'm stuck on:
-Bewitched
-Monster-in-Law
-Cars
-Superman Returns
4 TV shows I like to watch
-The Closer
-Big Love
-Making the Band
-Flip this House
4 websites I view daily
-Gmail/Google Reader
-Chronicle Jobs
-MSNBC.com--2008 Candidates section
-WebCT
4 computers I have owned
-Apple IIe
-Acer
-Dell Latitude
-Dell Inspiron
4 people to tag
-phd me
-Tamika
-melyssa
-stewgad
4 jobs I've had in my life
-file clerk
-candy striper
-teacher
-retail sales
4 place I've lived
-Capital City, V A
-Middle of Nowhere, P A
-Hometown
-Gorgeous City
4 favorite foods
-shrimp
-sweet potatoes
-chocolate anything
-turkey wings
4 places I'd rather be
-in River City with Dr. J
-cruising along the Mediterranean
-San Diego
-on my honeymoon with Dr. J
4 movies I can watch over and over
This changes for me every month--right now I'm stuck on:
-Bewitched
-Monster-in-Law
-Cars
-Superman Returns
4 TV shows I like to watch
-The Closer
-Big Love
-Making the Band
-Flip this House
4 websites I view daily
-Gmail/Google Reader
-Chronicle Jobs
-MSNBC.com--2008 Candidates section
-WebCT
4 computers I have owned
-Apple IIe
-Acer
-Dell Latitude
-Dell Inspiron
4 people to tag
-phd me
-Tamika
-melyssa
-stewgad
"Professional" Hair
The best thing about summer for me has been the freedom to do whatever I wanted with my hair. I've stayed true to my goal of learning to work with my natural hair and this summer has truly put that goal to the test. My hair is really growing and the new growth is tight and THICK. I find it impossible at times to keep it moisturized because it just sucks in everything like a sponge. Some days it totally annoys me--it is thick and unruly and hopelessly unstyled. Other days I feel completely liberated--I comb it out into a big puff and just let it go wherever it feels like going that day. Dr. J has been wonderfully supportive during this process--he really doesn't care how I wear my hair as long as I'm comfortable and happy with it. But there were even a few days this summer I felt bad--wishing it could be "prettier" for him.
I've been making more frequent trips to the Afrocentric salon here in Gorgeous City and I've established a good relationship with one of the stylists. She is helping me think about ways to wear my hair for the wedding as well as teaching me about my hair. One of the problems I have with my hair is that I have a very itchy and flaky scalp. Through conversations with her and my cousin and aunt who are both physicians, I think we are learning that I may actually have a food allergy and that some of my issues with my hair and my skin--and even my bad cramps and stomach issues--may be connected to my diet (that's another post). So my stylist has introduced me to tea tree shampoo which works really well with my scalp and keeps in line with my natural goals.
My stylist braided my hair this summer (I can't believe it is thick enough to braid already!) and even gave me a little girly do for the week of John's graduation.
It was really cute and feminine but not really practical for everyday wear. Plus it required that she blow dry my hair straight and use a hot iron to curl it. That's okay for special occasions, but my very fine hair does not hold up well to a lot of blow drying and heat.
Now that school is starting back, I'm still looking for ways to manage my hair that are both practical and professional. I tend to wear more "business" style attire when I teach, so some of the unruliness my hair experienced this summer would just make me feel uncomfortable in front of a class. But of course, as I experiment with new styles, the idea of what is considered acceptable for business is in the back of my mind. I'm fortunate to be in a racially diverse environment, but that doesn't mean everyone is culturally sensitive. The 1980s and 1990s were filled with stories of business men and women being sent home for wearing braids or cornrows. And unfortunately, the incidents of brothers and sisters encountering "issues" at the workplace or at school because of their hair still go on today.
Take Six Flags:
So here is where I am at the moment for the start of classes:
I'm looking forward to trying some more new styles. (And I'm open to suggestions!)
I've been making more frequent trips to the Afrocentric salon here in Gorgeous City and I've established a good relationship with one of the stylists. She is helping me think about ways to wear my hair for the wedding as well as teaching me about my hair. One of the problems I have with my hair is that I have a very itchy and flaky scalp. Through conversations with her and my cousin and aunt who are both physicians, I think we are learning that I may actually have a food allergy and that some of my issues with my hair and my skin--and even my bad cramps and stomach issues--may be connected to my diet (that's another post). So my stylist has introduced me to tea tree shampoo which works really well with my scalp and keeps in line with my natural goals.
My stylist braided my hair this summer (I can't believe it is thick enough to braid already!) and even gave me a little girly do for the week of John's graduation.
It was really cute and feminine but not really practical for everyday wear. Plus it required that she blow dry my hair straight and use a hot iron to curl it. That's okay for special occasions, but my very fine hair does not hold up well to a lot of blow drying and heat.Now that school is starting back, I'm still looking for ways to manage my hair that are both practical and professional. I tend to wear more "business" style attire when I teach, so some of the unruliness my hair experienced this summer would just make me feel uncomfortable in front of a class. But of course, as I experiment with new styles, the idea of what is considered acceptable for business is in the back of my mind. I'm fortunate to be in a racially diverse environment, but that doesn't mean everyone is culturally sensitive. The 1980s and 1990s were filled with stories of business men and women being sent home for wearing braids or cornrows. And unfortunately, the incidents of brothers and sisters encountering "issues" at the workplace or at school because of their hair still go on today.
Take Six Flags:
Or the Baltimore City Police Department:Eighteen-year-old Antonio Rowland lives in Bowie, Md., less than a mile from the Six Flags America amusement park. He's worked there every summer for the past three years. On Tuesday, Antonio was sent home. He says a supervisor complained his hair was too long.
Antonio lives with his grandparents, Carleta Roland a retired federal worker and John a retired DC police sergeant. They take pride in their grandson’s appearance and they feel managers at Six Flags have overstepped their authority with the grooming guidelines.
Some believe the park policy targets African Americans. At least twelve workers have asked the ACLU to get involved, after they were sent home with orders to cut their braids or cornrows.
BALTIMORE -- The WBAL TV 11 News I-Team has obtained a new professional appearance policy for the Baltimore Police Department intended to promote a professional image, but it's also raising questions of racial insensitivity. The new policy is more specific than the old one. For example, tattoos must now be kept covered. However, the questions surround an issue that's been batted around the courts and company workplace policies for several years -- hairstyle.I hate that I even think about these things. I hate that I might avoid some styles more than other because of the hassles that might come. But I guess at the end of the day I already stick out like a sore thumb in my department, why not have some fun with my hair!"We just felt that over the years, some officers have taken advantage of the old general order and are not presenting themselves, while in uniform to the public, in the most professional manner possible," said Matt Jablow, spokesman for the Baltimore Police Department.
Like the old policy, the new one governs hair length, jewelry, mustaches and beards, but it also added a new standard -- extreme, or "fad," hairstyles are prohibited, including cornrows, mohawks, dreadlocks, and twists.
Three of the four hairstyles banned are almost exclusively used by blacks.
"I think it's incredibly insensitive," said Taunya Banks, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Law. "I'm really kind of concerned about labeling as faddish a practice that's not faddish at all, and what appears to be a targeting of black officers."
So here is where I am at the moment for the start of classes:
I'm looking forward to trying some more new styles. (And I'm open to suggestions!)
I Heart Obama's Campaign Staff
Ok, it is time to confess. Plenty of people have confessed their crushes on Senator Obama. He's a nice enough looking brother, but I haven't caught on with the crush movement.
But today, I realize that I have a serious love for his local campaign staff. They are just the coolest campaign people I've talked to this year. [And I've talked to quite a bit preparing for my new class this fall.] They really are.
Just had to be honest about that. Back to work now.
But today, I realize that I have a serious love for his local campaign staff. They are just the coolest campaign people I've talked to this year. [And I've talked to quite a bit preparing for my new class this fall.] They really are.
Just had to be honest about that. Back to work now.
The Summer That Was...
I decided to use my last long weekend before school starts to spend some time in Hometown with Mom and to wrap up some more wedding business. Looking back over the summer, it seems that the wedding fared the best of all the things I needed to do. This weekend I booked our videographer, met another potential florist (waiting on a price estimate), and met with a wonderful woman who sells and creates invitations and programs. I'm really proud of the work that I've gotten done on the wedding and it feels good to know that by September, most of the big stuff is taken care of.
School work is a not-so-bad story. Today is really the first FULL day I've spent just grinding out work for my classes. I feel good about the work I've done today. I'm definitely going to be on autopilot with my Major Course--I've only made one change in the reading and jazzed up my WebCT layout a bit with my new technology skills. My new Speciality Course is organized--I worked on a lot of that through the technology seminar--but I still need to spend some time getting the content down in my head and preparing lesson plans. If I can get the first unit (four weeks) laid out before class next Wednesday, I'll be satisfied.
Writing, scholarly or otherwise, has suffered this summer. I could go on, but the thought of it depresses me. If I can get at least one of these articles off of my desk before I send off my first job application....
Speaking of which, the job search has been slow to start. I've been relentless searching the job ads again, but I haven't found one position to motivate me to begin the cover letter writing process. I know which schools I'm interested in, I just don't know if they are going to be hiring this year. Is it acceptable to send an email or letter expressing interest in a position that doesn't exist yet? I'm really interesting in a school that is just outside of the city where Dr. J is teaching--would it be a good move or a bad move to just send them a letter and CV??
I feel so confused about what to do next professionally. I even had the thought of going back to school. Imagine that. I'm definitely not looking forward to our first faculty meeting of the semester tomorrow where we resume our discussion of a very messy issue. Given that I'm going back on the market, I feel even less inclined to get involved in this debate and don't know how I'm going to negotiate this meeting. It should be interesting though, to say the least--interesting and LONG.
Goodbye summer--helllloooo school year!
School work is a not-so-bad story. Today is really the first FULL day I've spent just grinding out work for my classes. I feel good about the work I've done today. I'm definitely going to be on autopilot with my Major Course--I've only made one change in the reading and jazzed up my WebCT layout a bit with my new technology skills. My new Speciality Course is organized--I worked on a lot of that through the technology seminar--but I still need to spend some time getting the content down in my head and preparing lesson plans. If I can get the first unit (four weeks) laid out before class next Wednesday, I'll be satisfied.
Writing, scholarly or otherwise, has suffered this summer. I could go on, but the thought of it depresses me. If I can get at least one of these articles off of my desk before I send off my first job application....
Speaking of which, the job search has been slow to start. I've been relentless searching the job ads again, but I haven't found one position to motivate me to begin the cover letter writing process. I know which schools I'm interested in, I just don't know if they are going to be hiring this year. Is it acceptable to send an email or letter expressing interest in a position that doesn't exist yet? I'm really interesting in a school that is just outside of the city where Dr. J is teaching--would it be a good move or a bad move to just send them a letter and CV??
I feel so confused about what to do next professionally. I even had the thought of going back to school. Imagine that. I'm definitely not looking forward to our first faculty meeting of the semester tomorrow where we resume our discussion of a very messy issue. Given that I'm going back on the market, I feel even less inclined to get involved in this debate and don't know how I'm going to negotiate this meeting. It should be interesting though, to say the least--interesting and LONG.
Goodbye summer--helllloooo school year!
Barry Barry Oh So Very
Golden! I'm so excited that I can't make one coherent thought--but here are a few on tonight's historical 765!!It feels good to be a part of sports history and watch Aaron's 755 fall to my man Barry Bonds. As soon as the bat cracked, he knew, and we knew, it was G-O-N-E! And it was deep--435 feet! It was a beauty to watch and I'm glad Dr. J had the game on while we were talking so I could flip over each time Bonds went to bat. We all knew it was coming soon--and what a wonderful moment for Barry and his family and his fans.
No one has dealt with more persecution, more media bashing, more "guilty without being proven guilty" thrashings. I mean my goodness--how many times does a man have to test negative??? And one simple fact can't be stated enough--no one has been able to consistently hit home runs like Barry while being WALKED more than anyone else. His opportunities to even get good pitches are so limited, making this feat even more amazing.
I am proud of this brother for doing what he loves--playing baseball. He could have given up a million times--he could have shrunk back into the shadows. But he held his head high and kept going--regardless of the critics. His longevity is unparalleled. At 43, he is still the most feared player at bat (as his walks this season alone reaffirms). Imagine at 43, being able to play a professional sport better than people half your age. Amazing.
And let me add this on an extremely personal note--in an age where Black homegrown players are being phased out for more affordable international imports (not just in baseball, but also in basketball), it feels good to see the record go to Bonds. I hope this will continue to inspire young Black boys to pick up a baseball and learn the game. Baseball has so much more long term potential than football, which a lot of Black men migrate towards (especially here in the South) and it would be lovely to see a resurgence of Black baseball players. [Dr. J has really got me thinking about the way the NFL loves to run Black bodies through the ringer for next to nothing when compared to other professional sports and the toll that the sport plays on their bodies without any sort of reasonable health plan. I digress.] I hope that despite the overly negative commentary on Bonds there will be some new faces in baseball soon.
[Dr. J keeps promising to start a blog to talk about these issues--I hope he will soon because he is right on when it comes to analyzing issues of race, class, and gender in sports.]
Also, I was hoping that Aaron would not buy into this media hype (because that's all this "we hate Barry" stuff is) and support Bonds. It was good to see his recorded message tonight passing the torch to Bonds--good move Aaron. But tonight is Barry's night.
Congratulations Barry Bonds--man--you did it!!
You are now the authentic record holder.
And I for one am very very proud of you!!
Hot and Soakin Wet!
I know I'm not the only one saying this today, but man it is hot outside.
I went outside to vote in a local special election and was assaulted by the heat the moment I opened the door. The school where I vote is right next door so I was surprised, but not discouraged as a few rain drops started falling as I turned the corner to go across the street. I was going to walk, but decided I'd go to the grocery store after I voted. I was glad I had my car because when I walked back outside, there was a serious summer thunderstorm going on. Sheets of rain, just hammering the ground. I had to make a run for it. I got soaked. Now normally, I'd be pissed. But it was so hot that the rain was just the right temperature. I'm back at home waiting for the rain to pass and drying out. I just checked the local station, hoping to see that the temperature had dropped outside with the rain. But of course, it is still blazing hot. A sizzling 99 degrees--heat index of 111. I hate the thought of going back to school in this kind of weather. Or trying to drive my car back to Hometown this weekend in the heat. Hopefully this wave of weather won't last too long.
I went outside to vote in a local special election and was assaulted by the heat the moment I opened the door. The school where I vote is right next door so I was surprised, but not discouraged as a few rain drops started falling as I turned the corner to go across the street. I was going to walk, but decided I'd go to the grocery store after I voted. I was glad I had my car because when I walked back outside, there was a serious summer thunderstorm going on. Sheets of rain, just hammering the ground. I had to make a run for it. I got soaked. Now normally, I'd be pissed. But it was so hot that the rain was just the right temperature. I'm back at home waiting for the rain to pass and drying out. I just checked the local station, hoping to see that the temperature had dropped outside with the rain. But of course, it is still blazing hot. A sizzling 99 degrees--heat index of 111. I hate the thought of going back to school in this kind of weather. Or trying to drive my car back to Hometown this weekend in the heat. Hopefully this wave of weather won't last too long.
Aimless
It is hard to be at all focused with Dr. J so far away. I woke up much later than I wanted to today and have just been floating around the house rather aimlessly. Except for the moments I've been on the phone with my honey, I really haven't gotten much accomplished.
Dr. J has had all kinds of relocation hassles today.
Hopefully the movers will arrive just in time for his return to his unit on Tuesday.
Now that I'm done worrying about him, the day is just about over here! I'm going to try to be a little less aimless. I have some work to finish for a magazine and I need to clean up because Mother is coming down tomorrow to help my cousin relocate. But goodness I miss Dr. J and could use a few more days to just mope and wander around my place.
Dr. J has had all kinds of relocation hassles today.
1) Of course, the movers aren't there today.
2) Since I did most of the driving when we were in River City last month, he got turned around pretty easily and lost his way to his new place. Fortunately, I was able to help him find his way via phone.
3) The person working in the leasing office today was a ditz--she gave him the wrong keys to move in.
4) After he finally got the correct key, he walked into a FILTHY, unfinished unit. (Keep in mind that this was already the third unit he'd been assigned. The one we'd originally picked out on our visit was suddenly unavailable after we left. The second unit he was assigned was changed just last week when the manager did a walk through and decided it smelled too bad with cat pee. So imagine our disgust to learn that this third unit was a mess!)
5) He had to wait an hour for the manager to show up and work to resolve the situation.
6) The manager showed him another unit in a better location that was brand new, but of course they haven't finished painting it yet. So Dr. J won't be in his apartment until Tuesday. Fortunately, the corporate office was able to put him up in one of their furnished executive units at another complex for the weekend.
Hopefully the movers will arrive just in time for his return to his unit on Tuesday.
Now that I'm done worrying about him, the day is just about over here! I'm going to try to be a little less aimless. I have some work to finish for a magazine and I need to clean up because Mother is coming down tomorrow to help my cousin relocate. But goodness I miss Dr. J and could use a few more days to just mope and wander around my place.
Just Like That
He's gone.
Dr. J is on his way to River City--a whole day's drive away.
I put on my big girl face to see him off, but now I'm falling apart. I miss him already.
Dr. J is on his way to River City--a whole day's drive away.
I put on my big girl face to see him off, but now I'm falling apart. I miss him already.
We Have Music!
It pays to have a Mom who knows everyone. Thanks to a friend of Mother, we have a band for our reception!! We definitely were planning to go the DJ route (preferably a young, friend of a friend type DJ) to help shave some expenses on the big day. A band just seem to be way to expensive. But Mother came through and got us information on a group she heard perform at a friend's church. Dr. J and I listened to a sample CD last Saturday when we were in Hometown and fell in love. The music was a mix of gospel and R&B/Soul with a wonderful range of instruments--keyboard, sax, flute, bass, drums--and a beautiful vocalist. We were hooked on the music, but Mother's memory of the price to book the group discouraged us. We almost didn't call at all, because they seemed way out of our range. But we are soooo glad we did call. We talked to the group's leader and he quoted us an AMAZING price for live music during the cocktail hour and reception dinner as well as DJ services for dancing and partying after we eat!! This price is incredibly sweet--even lower than quotes we've gotten for video, other DJs, heck, even for cake!! I had to ask him twice if I heard him correctly! So it was a wonderful confirmation to see everything in writing today and I'm excited that we are going to have real music for our wedding!!
Fun Day
Today was a day with Dr. J that was much needed. In just a few days, he'll be on his way to River City for the semester. I'm holding it together the best I can, but I know I'm going to crash big time this weekend. It has been so wonderful having him nearby for most of the summer.
So today was a much needed day together. Although we drove to Hometown together for my speaking engagement (which went very well) and for our counseling session, all of the hustle and bustle took its toll. I was exhausted all day on Sunday and slept a ridiculous number of hours. So today, I woke up feeling rested and ready to spend some good time with Dr. J. We had a wonderful visit to the bank where we set up our first joint account and received some excellent financial advice about managing our debt, saving for our wedding, and home ownership. It is exciting to start putting our money together--it makes our upcoming union more tangible. It was equally wonderful to talk realistically about home ownership. Having a home together is probably our number one priority and to have an expert tell us that our goals are reasonable was very comforting. (Of course a lot will be dependent on my ability to go smoothly from one job to another!)
After our visit with the good folks at the bank, we had a wonderful seafood lunch and just sat around in the restaurant as it started pouring ran outside. It felt as if we had the whole place to ourselves--very nice.
Once the rain slacked a bit, stopped by David's Bridal to see their new blue, and then we headed to BBB to start our first registry!! Being the shopper that I am, I was in heaven. The best part of course is that Dr. J was right there with me--I think he had more fun with the scanner than I did. We have plans to hit our second store tomorrow. There was just wonderful wedding glow between us all day--did I mention I'm going to miss him?
To cap off our night, we watched two of our favorite shows and have come to the conclusion that:
1) Gordon Ramsey is the new Bill Clinton (pre-Lewinsky of course).
2) Big Love is going to be off the hook this season.
As if we didn't have enough wedding stuff for one day, we also set up our wedding website! Things are coming together nicely--but the week is already wrapping up too quickly. I'm going to miss Dr. J!
So today was a much needed day together. Although we drove to Hometown together for my speaking engagement (which went very well) and for our counseling session, all of the hustle and bustle took its toll. I was exhausted all day on Sunday and slept a ridiculous number of hours. So today, I woke up feeling rested and ready to spend some good time with Dr. J. We had a wonderful visit to the bank where we set up our first joint account and received some excellent financial advice about managing our debt, saving for our wedding, and home ownership. It is exciting to start putting our money together--it makes our upcoming union more tangible. It was equally wonderful to talk realistically about home ownership. Having a home together is probably our number one priority and to have an expert tell us that our goals are reasonable was very comforting. (Of course a lot will be dependent on my ability to go smoothly from one job to another!)
After our visit with the good folks at the bank, we had a wonderful seafood lunch and just sat around in the restaurant as it started pouring ran outside. It felt as if we had the whole place to ourselves--very nice.
Once the rain slacked a bit, stopped by David's Bridal to see their new blue, and then we headed to BBB to start our first registry!! Being the shopper that I am, I was in heaven. The best part of course is that Dr. J was right there with me--I think he had more fun with the scanner than I did. We have plans to hit our second store tomorrow. There was just wonderful wedding glow between us all day--did I mention I'm going to miss him?
To cap off our night, we watched two of our favorite shows and have come to the conclusion that:
1) Gordon Ramsey is the new Bill Clinton (pre-Lewinsky of course).
2) Big Love is going to be off the hook this season.
As if we didn't have enough wedding stuff for one day, we also set up our wedding website! Things are coming together nicely--but the week is already wrapping up too quickly. I'm going to miss Dr. J!
I Made It!
After two grueling weeks, I've made it through our institution's intensive training program for faculty. It was excellent--I learned soo much. But goodness I am exhausted. The program was just further confirmation that I am fortunate to not have a job that requires me to sit at a desk from 8-5. Just the sitting for so long was rough. Add to that hours of techno-speak that was at times too remedial and at other times too advance--it was a demanding program. The rewards, however, definitely outweighed the demands. I have so many wonderful classroom ideas and so much great software and hardware to work with. My favorite new program of the day is Audacity which you can do a lot of easy sound recording and editing with.
I'm also itching even more now for a new personal computer. I've been using my school laptop all year because my dissertation machine crashes every day. I had serious Mac-envy during this seminar, but today I fell in love with the Tablet PC. How cool would it be to read and comment on papers on the screen?? After lugging a stack of 75 student writing packs of 20-40 pages around at the end of last year, I definitely would love to go entirely electronic one of these days.
I'm completely exhausted, but still awake. Why? I have to give a speech in the morning in Hometown. So I'll be up at 6 in the morning again to take the drive. Dr. J and I also have another counseling session tomorrow so we'll be in Hometown all day. I wish I hadn't packed so much into my end of the summer schedule because Dr. J is leaving town NEXT WEEK. The summer has gone by too fast and I do wish I had a bit more time to spend with him. But now I have to seriously get back into school mode. In the words of one of my colleagues yesterday, "well, I guess that's what August is for."
On a separate note: GO BONDS!!! 754 BABY!!! SHAKE THOSE HATERS OFF!!!
(another day I must address the disproportionate negative media treatment of a Black male athlete who has repeatedly tested negatively)
I'm also itching even more now for a new personal computer. I've been using my school laptop all year because my dissertation machine crashes every day. I had serious Mac-envy during this seminar, but today I fell in love with the Tablet PC. How cool would it be to read and comment on papers on the screen?? After lugging a stack of 75 student writing packs of 20-40 pages around at the end of last year, I definitely would love to go entirely electronic one of these days.
I'm completely exhausted, but still awake. Why? I have to give a speech in the morning in Hometown. So I'll be up at 6 in the morning again to take the drive. Dr. J and I also have another counseling session tomorrow so we'll be in Hometown all day. I wish I hadn't packed so much into my end of the summer schedule because Dr. J is leaving town NEXT WEEK. The summer has gone by too fast and I do wish I had a bit more time to spend with him. But now I have to seriously get back into school mode. In the words of one of my colleagues yesterday, "well, I guess that's what August is for."
On a separate note: GO BONDS!!! 754 BABY!!! SHAKE THOSE HATERS OFF!!!
(another day I must address the disproportionate negative media treatment of a Black male athlete who has repeatedly tested negatively)
So Hot
Today I learned how to edit videos using Adobe Premiere--I know how to make DVDs!! I think this is so Hot!! Adobe even has templates just for wedding DVDs. I am seriously considering editing our wedding video now--it is incredibly easy to use video editing software once you get the hang of it. We've been thinking about ways to cut cost and had slated the videographer route as "tentative." So maybe I'll get someone to record the footage and do my own video crafting. Just yesterday I saw a videographer online who charges a much lower rate to provide unedited footage. Something to think about...
It is also very hot in our classroom--a nice change from the normally frigid temperatures.
Speaking of hotness, I am loving the new Kanye West songs. He is setting the bar high for his forthcoming CD--the first two early releases are GREAT. I keep going back and forth on which one is my favorite. I think it depends on my mood. Today I have "Stronger" on repeat. Too hot.
It is also very hot in our classroom--a nice change from the normally frigid temperatures.
Speaking of hotness, I am loving the new Kanye West songs. He is setting the bar high for his forthcoming CD--the first two early releases are GREAT. I keep going back and forth on which one is my favorite. I think it depends on my mood. Today I have "Stronger" on repeat. Too hot.
I Feel Smart
While Dr. Mom is enjoying Harry Potter, I've been playing with all of these fun technology tools I'm learning about during this faculty development program. We've played with Adobe, Openmind, Open Source Web Design, Edublogs, Refworks, and much much more.
One of the tools I've been really wanting to figure out is how to add a blog to my personal webpage on my institution's server (since our college doesn't have any blogging packages on their server). In our last session Friday we learned about publishing Blogger to other sites and I just finished putting the touches on my personal webpage. I'm so excited that I can use my Blogger account now to publish to my professional page!!! I'm sure I'm a bit slow on this. For those of you who know me, check out my college page and tell me what you think (if you'd like to see the link, send me a comment). I'm working on a whole new template for my page thanks to OSWD, but in the meantime, I'm really excited about this new addition!! Now I don't have to be on my campus server to update my page.
Ok, enough geekiness for one night.
One of the tools I've been really wanting to figure out is how to add a blog to my personal webpage on my institution's server (since our college doesn't have any blogging packages on their server). In our last session Friday we learned about publishing Blogger to other sites and I just finished putting the touches on my personal webpage. I'm so excited that I can use my Blogger account now to publish to my professional page!!! I'm sure I'm a bit slow on this. For those of you who know me, check out my college page and tell me what you think (if you'd like to see the link, send me a comment). I'm working on a whole new template for my page thanks to OSWD, but in the meantime, I'm really excited about this new addition!! Now I don't have to be on my campus server to update my page.
Ok, enough geekiness for one night.
I'm In School
It has been such a busy week. I started this long post about it yesterday, but I haven't had quite enough time to finish yet. Part of the reason--I'm being a student again. I'm in this GREAT instructional technology program and we are learning about so many great resources. One of my favorite for the day: Internet Archives. I'd used the Wayback Machine before but I'd never looked at the Moving Images archive--the Prelinger and Universal Newsreel are two of my new toys and I'm going to be using them a lot in the fall. There are some gems such as this wonderful instructional film on what to do in case things go to hell in a handbasket:
Headed West
Every day brings new excitement and new adventures. I've read books. Tasted magnificent wedding cake. Browsed through selections of gorgeous fresh flowers. I've seen every imaginable shade of blue. I've even done some scholarly work! But it seems like I never have enough time these days to blog.
The reality is, I'm just enjoying my time with Dr. J and trying to squeeze in as many things as I can with him. We are headed out west tomorrow to find him a place and visit his new city! Maybe I'll find a bit of time to blog then....
The reality is, I'm just enjoying my time with Dr. J and trying to squeeze in as many things as I can with him. We are headed out west tomorrow to find him a place and visit his new city! Maybe I'll find a bit of time to blog then....
I'm A Bore
Pushover - ISFJ
26% Extraversion, 40% Intuition, 40% Thinking, 80% Judging
Hah. Nice one. How does it feel to know that you're barely unique? Of all the personality types you could have had, you ended up with the most common in all of America. In a group of 100 Americans, 12.8 of them will be just like you.
I bet you feel sorry for that one person missing 20% of his body. I bet you want to help him out, don't you? Cause that's what you like to do, isn't it? Help people. You don't want to save the world. You just want to help people out.
Sound pretty good so far? Sorry, but you're just plain pathetic. You let people walk all over you all the time, because everyone knows that you just can't say "no." When you get time, email me your contact details. It?s always good to know where I can find another helping hand.
What the hell is your problem? GET A LIFE! Stop cleaning other people's houses and go out and have a bit of fun every now and then. Sure, you feel responsible for doing what needs to be done, but sometimes it's just not you who needs to do it.
You're dependable, predictable and practicaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...
Whoops, that was me falling asleep on the keyboard. You're just not the most fun person. I wouldn't worry too much about it. You can go hang out with your other 12.8 mates, helping out at the soup kitchen together. Woohoo!
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If you want to learn more about your personality type in a slightly less negative way, check out this.
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| Link: The Brutally Honest Personality Test written by UltimateMaster on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test |
In Motion
I still can't believe the way time is flying this summer. The past week or so has been AMAZING!
#1 Dr. J has a JOB! After much deliberation and negotiation, the university he recently visited made him an offer he/we couldn't refuse. He's really excited, and I'm really excited. The only downside of course is the distance; we'll be in two different time zones and several states apart. I am hoping to arrange my teaching schedule so that I'm finished teaching by the time we get married in March. Then I'll just join Dr. J "out West." I'm still going on the market to see if there are some better opportunities out there for us, but we're optimistic that I might have a position at his new Metro Univ. for Fall 08. One of the appealing things about the university is that it is one of the few places in the nation where our areas fall under the same college. Normally our disciplines are housed in separate, self-contained schools, but at this place we'd have the same dean, same school. Metro Univ. is located in a great city that has lots of political history/resources that I would love to use for my own research. And interestingly enough, the day Dr. J and I started to think MetroU was a good idea is the same day I learned a paper I had submitted for a conference there was accepted. We're planning a visit in the next few weeks to find him a place to live for a bit.
#2 Coastal Life! I am loving life in Gorgeous City. Dr. J and I visited another beach last week and it was beautiful. Just a few miles down from the last beach (Northern Beach) we visited, this one (Ritzy Beach) was even nicer. The sand was smooth and silky and the water was clear and smooth. Although Northern Beach had a lot more "locals" and a great pier, Ritzy Beach had wonderful shops and bars and better sand. Ritzy Beach also has more tourists, but that turned out to be fun; a group of folks, who come down to the beach each year with their kids, invited us over for beers. They thought we were honeymooners, but as we proceeded to tell them our story, they made several toasts on our behalf. They were really excited for us and offered lots of married life advice. It was very random but a lot of fun. Hopefully they'll send us some of the pictures they took!
#3 Preparing for Marriage! Dr. J and I have started our pre-martial counseling. We've been looking forward to this for so long, it is nice to have things underway. We met with our officiant this past weekend and received our materials. It looks like the sessions will be very interactive. We have a great book that has lots of activities. I know that not all of this will be easy, but I'm looking forward to us spending time preparing for what is to come.
#4 Wedding Planning We also made some great headway this week on wedding planning. My dress is tucked safely away at home while we await my first fitting appointment in September. Dr. J, Lani, and I had a great meeting this weekend with the Planner. She has wonderful ideas about what to do with our blue and slowly but surely, we can see the wedding coming together. Our guest list is almost done--we're waiting for the mothers at this point to finalize their list. It looks like we're going to be close to 250 people! That is quite a bit larger than we had orginally planned, but we are going with the flow. We've tentatively planned our menu and are going to do tastings for dinner and the cake in the next few weeks!! I'm especially excited about the cake part!
Lani has been pushing me to get on the ball, and I think after our meeting, she was satisfied with our progress. She's going to come down to Gorgeous City the weekend after the 4th of July and we'll do some more dress shopping for her. Both Lani and the Planner love this blue:
#1 Dr. J has a JOB! After much deliberation and negotiation, the university he recently visited made him an offer he/we couldn't refuse. He's really excited, and I'm really excited. The only downside of course is the distance; we'll be in two different time zones and several states apart. I am hoping to arrange my teaching schedule so that I'm finished teaching by the time we get married in March. Then I'll just join Dr. J "out West." I'm still going on the market to see if there are some better opportunities out there for us, but we're optimistic that I might have a position at his new Metro Univ. for Fall 08. One of the appealing things about the university is that it is one of the few places in the nation where our areas fall under the same college. Normally our disciplines are housed in separate, self-contained schools, but at this place we'd have the same dean, same school. Metro Univ. is located in a great city that has lots of political history/resources that I would love to use for my own research. And interestingly enough, the day Dr. J and I started to think MetroU was a good idea is the same day I learned a paper I had submitted for a conference there was accepted. We're planning a visit in the next few weeks to find him a place to live for a bit.
#2 Coastal Life! I am loving life in Gorgeous City. Dr. J and I visited another beach last week and it was beautiful. Just a few miles down from the last beach (Northern Beach) we visited, this one (Ritzy Beach) was even nicer. The sand was smooth and silky and the water was clear and smooth. Although Northern Beach had a lot more "locals" and a great pier, Ritzy Beach had wonderful shops and bars and better sand. Ritzy Beach also has more tourists, but that turned out to be fun; a group of folks, who come down to the beach each year with their kids, invited us over for beers. They thought we were honeymooners, but as we proceeded to tell them our story, they made several toasts on our behalf. They were really excited for us and offered lots of married life advice. It was very random but a lot of fun. Hopefully they'll send us some of the pictures they took!
#3 Preparing for Marriage! Dr. J and I have started our pre-martial counseling. We've been looking forward to this for so long, it is nice to have things underway. We met with our officiant this past weekend and received our materials. It looks like the sessions will be very interactive. We have a great book that has lots of activities. I know that not all of this will be easy, but I'm looking forward to us spending time preparing for what is to come.
#4 Wedding Planning We also made some great headway this week on wedding planning. My dress is tucked safely away at home while we await my first fitting appointment in September. Dr. J, Lani, and I had a great meeting this weekend with the Planner. She has wonderful ideas about what to do with our blue and slowly but surely, we can see the wedding coming together. Our guest list is almost done--we're waiting for the mothers at this point to finalize their list. It looks like we're going to be close to 250 people! That is quite a bit larger than we had orginally planned, but we are going with the flow. We've tentatively planned our menu and are going to do tastings for dinner and the cake in the next few weeks!! I'm especially excited about the cake part!
Lani has been pushing me to get on the ball, and I think after our meeting, she was satisfied with our progress. She's going to come down to Gorgeous City the weekend after the 4th of July and we'll do some more dress shopping for her. Both Lani and the Planner love this blue:
but I'm having a hard time finding swatches and dresses that match it. We're going to visit a store that carries this line and hope they have some material we can look at.
I just found this color which is very close and the fabric can be ordered as well. 
Planner thinks that we could use a light peach/salmon or brown as an accent color. I was thinking more along the line of silver, but I think a peach or a beige color would be a nice, elegant accent. We're also going to be looking at flowers soon too. We're leaning towards ivories and whites at this point.
#5 Work! Yeah, not much of that going on. I've been getting more revisions back on those encyclopedia entries, and I've set aside time today to finish the latest round of those. This week has to be the week I get this Chapter Six Article out, because the next few weeks will be consumed with travel and wedding stuff. I have been enjoying fun books, but will switch to reading academic books next week so I can start thinking about my prospectus and my new course. My textbook for the fall still isn't in yet, so that's not helping the fact that I'm already procrastinating! We'll see...
Hail in a Handbasket
That's where I feel like my summer is going.
Day after day I look at my to-do list and feel like such a bum for not getting more work done. That Chapter Six article is still eluding me. I must finish the work that needs to be done on it by the end of next week so I can move on to something else. I've been completely distracted by the work that came back from the copyeditor on those pieces I did last year. Just when I thought I was done with that, I got some more work. But now that is off of my desk, and I feel a little more productive than I did yesterday. And the news that I had a pair of papers accepted for Major Conference in November helps a lot too. At least I'll have something new on my CV for the fall.
I've also been completely distracted by regular books. I'm back on James Patterson and John Grisham again. It feels so good to just get lost in a book. Especially on a day like today where it is dark and cloudy and, oh yeah, hail outside. Of all weather conditions, this is one I am very uncomfortable with--especially living somewhere without a garage or carport for my car. Hopefully the weather will continue to mellow out because Dr. J is in the airport on his way back to this time zone. He had another campus visit this week and he's coming back with an offer!!!! It is exciting and unexpected but probably unsatisfactory. We have a lot of discussing to do when he gets back in town.
Unfortunately, we won't be able to connect as long as I'd like. I have to head to Hometown tomorrow because my wedding dress is in!! So I need to get the fitting process going and Mom wants me to look at a dress she's found for herself. I probably also need to really narrow down this blue issue so Lani can pick out her dress.
So much to do, so little time. Where has my summer gone?????
Day after day I look at my to-do list and feel like such a bum for not getting more work done. That Chapter Six article is still eluding me. I must finish the work that needs to be done on it by the end of next week so I can move on to something else. I've been completely distracted by the work that came back from the copyeditor on those pieces I did last year. Just when I thought I was done with that, I got some more work. But now that is off of my desk, and I feel a little more productive than I did yesterday. And the news that I had a pair of papers accepted for Major Conference in November helps a lot too. At least I'll have something new on my CV for the fall.
I've also been completely distracted by regular books. I'm back on James Patterson and John Grisham again. It feels so good to just get lost in a book. Especially on a day like today where it is dark and cloudy and, oh yeah, hail outside. Of all weather conditions, this is one I am very uncomfortable with--especially living somewhere without a garage or carport for my car. Hopefully the weather will continue to mellow out because Dr. J is in the airport on his way back to this time zone. He had another campus visit this week and he's coming back with an offer!!!! It is exciting and unexpected but probably unsatisfactory. We have a lot of discussing to do when he gets back in town.
Unfortunately, we won't be able to connect as long as I'd like. I have to head to Hometown tomorrow because my wedding dress is in!! So I need to get the fitting process going and Mom wants me to look at a dress she's found for herself. I probably also need to really narrow down this blue issue so Lani can pick out her dress.
So much to do, so little time. Where has my summer gone?????
All Play and No Work
The good news is--Dr. J is home for the summer. He's been in Gorgeous City and his Hometown (right next door) for almost a week. I had hoped to get that Chapter Six article out before he arrived but that didn't happen. I was sick right before he arrived and by the time I recovered, the last thing I wanted to do was work.
So we've had a fun few days together--visiting with family, going to the mall, and even a round of miniature golf. Today is beach day. The best thing about Gorgeous City is the coast line, but I haven't been in the water since I moved here. Lucky for me, Dr. J is a waterbaby so he's been itchin for the beach since Memorial Day Weekend. So for the first time in a year, we're headed for the shore!
It has been mostly play and no work. I did, however, finally get the copyeditor's remarks back on a couple of the pieces I did last year, so I revised one of those yesterday and will work on the other tomorrow. I'm finding that it is not easy to find the motivation to work when Dr. J is around. But I know he has an article he needs to get going on with his Chair so we'll settle into a work schedule soon. Dr. J has another campus visit lined up for next week so I'm sure he'll be back into "scholar-mode" soon which will give me some needed inspiration.
Oh yeah, and there is this wedding thing...
So we've had a fun few days together--visiting with family, going to the mall, and even a round of miniature golf. Today is beach day. The best thing about Gorgeous City is the coast line, but I haven't been in the water since I moved here. Lucky for me, Dr. J is a waterbaby so he's been itchin for the beach since Memorial Day Weekend. So for the first time in a year, we're headed for the shore!
It has been mostly play and no work. I did, however, finally get the copyeditor's remarks back on a couple of the pieces I did last year, so I revised one of those yesterday and will work on the other tomorrow. I'm finding that it is not easy to find the motivation to work when Dr. J is around. But I know he has an article he needs to get going on with his Chair so we'll settle into a work schedule soon. Dr. J has another campus visit lined up for next week so I'm sure he'll be back into "scholar-mode" soon which will give me some needed inspiration.
Oh yeah, and there is this wedding thing...
Come Together--Get Together
The summertime is here--it's reunion time!! I'm currently working on my class reunion (another post another day) and have that on the brain. But this goes out to everyone who will be in the heat this summer hoping to find that loud color T-shirt in their size before sitting down for some good laughs and some good food.
Facing Your Giants
My mom was reading this book while I was home and that title--facing your giants--has been in my head ever since. There are certain things looming over me right now like giants. The "empty" spaces on my CV. This new class that I've never taught. The wedding plans. And now, the job market--two of them.
I've been getting geared up mentally to deal with each of these and this week I really want to tackle the CV giant and finish one of these articles. I tried to do some work this weekend, but nothing happened. So I need to make a clearer plan for Monday and the rest of this week. I've already taken a lot of the "dissertationy" stuff out of Chapter Six but there are several things I need to do:
I've been getting geared up mentally to deal with each of these and this week I really want to tackle the CV giant and finish one of these articles. I tried to do some work this weekend, but nothing happened. So I need to make a clearer plan for Monday and the rest of this week. I've already taken a lot of the "dissertationy" stuff out of Chapter Six but there are several things I need to do:
- Reread the chopped down version in its entirety. Make sure none of the biographical background I took out needs to go back in.
- Write a new section on current events (2-3 paragraphs).
- Adjust the thesis to be more specific to this piece, rather than the entire dissertation.
- Add in the new scholarly sources I found.
- Make sure style is consistent with the journal.
I'll start on the first two tomorrow and go from there.
Queen Mon
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Now On To "Other" News
I have to acknowledge these things to move on.
1) The Wikicheatia incident has been resolved. The process concluded with a very harsh sanction, and although I hated being in that situation, I saw the "good" in going through the process since this was not the first offense of this student (which I wouldn't have known had I attempted to resolve this on my own).
2) I'm utterly disappointed in myself for not getting anything done this month in terms of writing/research. I really have a truckload of stuff that I need to get done this summer and I feel like a dope for wasting the month of May. I mean, granted, I wouldn't have traded the time with Dr. J for the world. But I feel like I still could have managed my time better this month. My disappointment is amplified by a related issue--see item #4 below.
3) Dr. J didn't get the position at Top School. I'm devastated and frustrated for him. I think that it would have been a wonderful place for him. But the process by which he found out was really whack and has revealed a lot about the personalities of this particular department--so perhaps in the end it was best that he didn't go there. The late and drawn out nature of the process means that he is now in the position of looking for a placement outside of the normal hiring schedule. We're not really sure where he's going to be or what he's going to be doing this year. Most likely, since the 2008-2009 hiring season is approaching, he will be in a one year position somewhere. He already has some good leads and several schools have expressed interest for Fall 08. But we're still in a little bit of a holding pattern for the time being.
What I haven't said out loud that I really need to say is this: THIS REALLY SUCKS!!! I'm hurtin for Dr. J. I'm hating that he's going through this period of limbo so close to the completion of his dissertation. I wish I could give him a much needed Bahama-vention. I'm so confused as to why this is happening, and I feel utterly helpless in this situation. I love him to death and I just want to "make it better." I wanna fix this--I need to fix this--but it is just out of my hands. I'm having a hard time with that. I want the man that I love to have everything he needs and more. I'm doing my best to be supportive, but it just feels so...so inadequate.
4) I'm going back on the market. Since I took this position in Gorgeous City, there has been one question once people find out I'm engaged: "So is he moving here??" I've become very skillful at not really answering that question--largely because we just didn't know what was going to happen. But now it seems pretty clear that the options we were considering are not going to materialize. So rather than Dr. J trying to search "around me" for Fall 08, I think we could potentially create more options for us being at the same place (or the same city--or heck even the same state) if we both search for 2008.
I knew there was a possibility I might be headed somewhere new in 2008, but let me be honest--I was ready to play the role of the trailing spouse (cue gasps from feminist friends). I was buying into the idea of Dr. J "stealing me from" my department (which I hear whispers of a lot). But that is just not realistic--or ideal.
Facing the job market again leaves me with a lot of emotions. I probably feel more anxious than I did before. The first time around I just felt confused. I didn't know if I wanted a professor gig or a postdoc--a research school or a teaching school. Quickly it became clear what I wanted and I felt very comfortable saying yes and no. Within a year, I've lost that sense of comfort and clarity. I feel like I wasn't productive enough in my first year to still be seen as a good candidate (hence my increasing disappointment about my scholarship). I'm at a loss for how to negotiate the ins and outs of a dual search. I feel uncertain about how this conversation will go with my chair--or how I will be treated by my department which is already going through so many shifts and changes. I feel intimidated by the idea of being on the market again and dealing with the rigors of applications and "networking" while I'm still trying to get stuff out and prep for yet another new class. But even with all of that, I do feel a bit--just a tiny bit--excited. Being on the market doesn't mean I'm going to get an offer or even that I'll leave Gorgeous City, but it does open for the door for new possibilities for me and Dr. J. And at the end of the day, that is what matters most to me. I'm trying to keep that in mind as I prepare myself for the many changes that are about to come.
1) The Wikicheatia incident has been resolved. The process concluded with a very harsh sanction, and although I hated being in that situation, I saw the "good" in going through the process since this was not the first offense of this student (which I wouldn't have known had I attempted to resolve this on my own).
2) I'm utterly disappointed in myself for not getting anything done this month in terms of writing/research. I really have a truckload of stuff that I need to get done this summer and I feel like a dope for wasting the month of May. I mean, granted, I wouldn't have traded the time with Dr. J for the world. But I feel like I still could have managed my time better this month. My disappointment is amplified by a related issue--see item #4 below.
3) Dr. J didn't get the position at Top School. I'm devastated and frustrated for him. I think that it would have been a wonderful place for him. But the process by which he found out was really whack and has revealed a lot about the personalities of this particular department--so perhaps in the end it was best that he didn't go there. The late and drawn out nature of the process means that he is now in the position of looking for a placement outside of the normal hiring schedule. We're not really sure where he's going to be or what he's going to be doing this year. Most likely, since the 2008-2009 hiring season is approaching, he will be in a one year position somewhere. He already has some good leads and several schools have expressed interest for Fall 08. But we're still in a little bit of a holding pattern for the time being.
What I haven't said out loud that I really need to say is this: THIS REALLY SUCKS!!! I'm hurtin for Dr. J. I'm hating that he's going through this period of limbo so close to the completion of his dissertation. I wish I could give him a much needed Bahama-vention. I'm so confused as to why this is happening, and I feel utterly helpless in this situation. I love him to death and I just want to "make it better." I wanna fix this--I need to fix this--but it is just out of my hands. I'm having a hard time with that. I want the man that I love to have everything he needs and more. I'm doing my best to be supportive, but it just feels so...so inadequate.
4) I'm going back on the market. Since I took this position in Gorgeous City, there has been one question once people find out I'm engaged: "So is he moving here??" I've become very skillful at not really answering that question--largely because we just didn't know what was going to happen. But now it seems pretty clear that the options we were considering are not going to materialize. So rather than Dr. J trying to search "around me" for Fall 08, I think we could potentially create more options for us being at the same place (or the same city--or heck even the same state) if we both search for 2008.
I knew there was a possibility I might be headed somewhere new in 2008, but let me be honest--I was ready to play the role of the trailing spouse (cue gasps from feminist friends). I was buying into the idea of Dr. J "stealing me from" my department (which I hear whispers of a lot). But that is just not realistic--or ideal.
Facing the job market again leaves me with a lot of emotions. I probably feel more anxious than I did before. The first time around I just felt confused. I didn't know if I wanted a professor gig or a postdoc--a research school or a teaching school. Quickly it became clear what I wanted and I felt very comfortable saying yes and no. Within a year, I've lost that sense of comfort and clarity. I feel like I wasn't productive enough in my first year to still be seen as a good candidate (hence my increasing disappointment about my scholarship). I'm at a loss for how to negotiate the ins and outs of a dual search. I feel uncertain about how this conversation will go with my chair--or how I will be treated by my department which is already going through so many shifts and changes. I feel intimidated by the idea of being on the market again and dealing with the rigors of applications and "networking" while I'm still trying to get stuff out and prep for yet another new class. But even with all of that, I do feel a bit--just a tiny bit--excited. Being on the market doesn't mean I'm going to get an offer or even that I'll leave Gorgeous City, but it does open for the door for new possibilities for me and Dr. J. And at the end of the day, that is what matters most to me. I'm trying to keep that in mind as I prepare myself for the many changes that are about to come.
Good News First
So much has happened in the past few weeks. It is hard to even begin to process everything but I need to clear my head a little so I can be productive when I return to Gorgeous City. I left Dr. J in University Town on Monday for a brief layover in Hometown. After I finish my laundry here (yes I still live like a college student) and spend some time with Mom, I’ll head back down to the sweltering summer heat of Gorgeous City. I haven’t slept in my own bed for about three weeks now so I am getting anxious to head South—despite the heat.
To begin to process all that has happened in the past few weeks, I have to start with Dr. J.
To begin to process all that has happened in the past few weeks, I have to start with Dr. J.
- Dr. J had an amazing defense. I am so lucky to be in love with such a brilliant and captivating man. It was practically standing room only for his big day. Most of his committee made it out (although one member joined by conference call and another had as all worried by showing up 15 minutes late). He was in the zone, making things like multiple linear regression and factor analysis sound simple to even a text-based humanist like myself. His mastery of his study and his passion for research was truly awe-inspiring. His defense presentation was soooo good that the committee only asked him a few softball hypothetical questions. Then his chair did something very unconventional—she asked if anyone in the audience would like to ask questions! Some of Dr. J’s colleagues, mentors, and undergraduate mentees asked a few questions and made a few comments and then we were all sent out of the room. There were many hugs and congratulations out in the hallway as we all knew he had knocked it out of the park. When he was called back in, his chair proudly announced that he was officially Doctor J Middle Initial Last Name, Jr. and he had no further revisions to make on his dissertation!!!! Go Dr. J! So within a couple of days we walked over to the graduate thesis office and dropped that puppy off!
- Dr. J's graduation (just two days after his defense) was also a wonderful time and a lot of fun. He was hooded Friday morning by his chair in a “smallish” ceremony for just his school and there was much cheering and tearing all around (I was good—I didn’t cry!) Following graduation, we spent some time at his chair’s house in University Town. Then, after a brief nap and rest, we piled all of his family in a caravan and headed down to Tourist Town (about 20 minutes away) where my mom was staying in a friend’s condo. Mom and my Aunt from UpNorth (who has been in love with Dr. J and his family since she first met them in 2005) cooked a nice celebration dinner for everyone. We took a little familiar excursion to the great shopping outlets of Tourist Town after dinner to walk off our gluttony and then Dr. J opened all of his cards and gifts before we headed back to University Town for the night. And of course, the party did not end there. After we got back to University Town, Dr. J, his sister, and I hooked up with a few of his friends who were in town for the graduation and went to this very nice tapas restaurant where there was a jazz/neo-soul band playing (very unusual for this town). We had a nice time and Dr. J even took me for a spin on the dance floor. We had a late late night but it was rise and shine the next morning to take the two hour drive to Music City where Dr. J’s sister lives. She recently bought a new home and the family was dying to see it so we had a fun BBQ there. Dr. J’s Best Man came up (he had to work on graduation day) to celebrate a bit with us as well as some other family friends in the Music City area. Boy it was fun but tiring—I was glad when we finally settled back in University Town and just crashed for the next couple days.
- Being with Dr. J for two weeks was great and a much needed remedy to the blues I've been fighting all semester. We watched a ton of movies, ate some wonderful food (and some really guilty-pleasure food like Marble Slab), and just chilled out. I especially enjoyed Spiderman 3 and Shrek the Third. I pretty much disagree with all the critics on both of the films—I really enjoyed both.
Those are some of the highlights that I've been thinking about over the past couple of days. I'm leaning on those good memories right now as I am starting to miss Dr. J pretty bad (even though I'll see him after he moves next week). But unforunately my mind is really foggy with some of the not so good things that occured on this "vacation" and I'll get in to those a little bit later...
Whirlwind of Celebration
Thanks for all the well wishes to Dr. J--he is now officially a PhD!!! His defense was awesome and the next day we were flooded by friends and family who came up to University Town to celebrate with him and see his hooding ceremony. The celebration spanned three cities in the University Town area so both of us were in need of a great deal of rest after we returned from City #3 last night. More details to come but it is finally done and there are two doctors in the house!!
Guest Blog: Dr. J
Hello Everyone,
The big day has FINALLY arrived. In a little over 45 minutes I will begin my DEFENSE. Honestly, this process has been a long time coming and I am relieved (and honestly) a little nervous that the moment has come. I love Mon and she has been a tremendous inspiration for me throughout everything. She always knows just what to say or do to make me comfortable and it was even her idea that I guest blog for a moment to release the slight nerves that have recently entered my system. To all you wonderful folks out there in blog land, that make my fiancees world a better place, thank you for being a part of her life. When I looked in the mirror this morning I said to myself that at last...this day has come. Wish me luck!!!!!!
The big day has FINALLY arrived. In a little over 45 minutes I will begin my DEFENSE. Honestly, this process has been a long time coming and I am relieved (and honestly) a little nervous that the moment has come. I love Mon and she has been a tremendous inspiration for me throughout everything. She always knows just what to say or do to make me comfortable and it was even her idea that I guest blog for a moment to release the slight nerves that have recently entered my system. To all you wonderful folks out there in blog land, that make my fiancees world a better place, thank you for being a part of her life. When I looked in the mirror this morning I said to myself that at last...this day has come. Wish me luck!!!!!!
Home
In honor of being in Hometown, I'm making my own meme. Play along as you'd like--"home" is wherever you'd like it to be.
The first three things you do when you arrive at home.
1. Say "Hi Moms"
2. Take off my shoes.
3. Look in the fridge.
Three people you don't see often enough when you go home.
1. Our old pastor
2. My cousin
3. My oldest friend from back in the day
Three smells that confirm you are home.
1. Potpourri
2. Pine trees
3. Dove soap
Three foods you can only get at home.
1. Mom's Pound Cake
2. Aunt M's "dishes"
3. Krispy Kreme
Three of your favorite memories of being at home.
1. Swinging in the backyard
2. Christmas
3. First time I was home after Dr. J proposed
Three of your most emotional times at home.
1. Night before the SAT
2. Day GreatMama died
3. Many a dissertation day
The last three things you do before you leave home.
1. Look for keys
2. Check the closet
3. Hug Mom
The first three things you do when you arrive at home.
1. Say "Hi Moms"
2. Take off my shoes.
3. Look in the fridge.
Three people you don't see often enough when you go home.
1. Our old pastor
2. My cousin
3. My oldest friend from back in the day
Three smells that confirm you are home.
1. Potpourri
2. Pine trees
3. Dove soap
Three foods you can only get at home.
1. Mom's Pound Cake
2. Aunt M's "dishes"
3. Krispy Kreme
Three of your favorite memories of being at home.
1. Swinging in the backyard
2. Christmas
3. First time I was home after Dr. J proposed
Three of your most emotional times at home.
1. Night before the SAT
2. Day GreatMama died
3. Many a dissertation day
The last three things you do before you leave home.
1. Look for keys
2. Check the closet
3. Hug Mom
Conference on Academic Writing
I just ran across information on an organization that is new to me: TAA. According to their website:
TAA's 2007 Conference will be in Buffalo, NY this June providing sessions in two tracks: textbooks authors & academic authors. This looks really interesting and of course the session on "dissertation to book" caught my eye.
Is this conference/organization just new to me?
TAA was established in 1987 as the Textbook Authors Association.
The association was for people interested in developing and publishing all kinds of educational materials, including textbooks, software, videos, monographs, reference books, newsletters, multimedia CD-ROM disks and others. TAA changed its name to Text and Academic Authors in 1993 to reflect the membership's interest in issues involving academic journals and other academic writing.
In these roles, TAA represents text and academic authors in matters involving them, including taxes, copyright and better appreciation of their work within academe.
Not secondarily, the association is committed to improving the quality of educational materials.
TAA's 2007 Conference will be in Buffalo, NY this June providing sessions in two tracks: textbooks authors & academic authors. This looks really interesting and of course the session on "dissertation to book" caught my eye.
Is this conference/organization just new to me?
Tired
Yesterday was a grading marathon that really wiped me out. By the time I got home and ate dinner, I just feel asleep (and missed the first GOP Debate--hopefully I can catch a replay today). I woke up a few hours later to talk to Dr. J for a bit before going to bed for the night. I slept in this morning, but I'm still really tired. I have a few more papers to grade before I can start packing and cleaning to get out of here. But man I am really tired. This has been a long semester; I'm glad it is almost over!
WikiCheatia
So, I'm coming into the home stretch with my end of the year grading. My goal is to get all my final grades in by Friday so I can go see Mom for a while before heading to University Town for Dr. J's defense and graduation (next week is gonna be FUN)! In the process of grading, I've been getting bogged down in the long papers for my Major Course sections, so I've broken it up by grading exams (which goes quickly) and grading the papers for my Specialty Course in between small stacks of Major Course. Well that's when I discovered I had a problem. I pulled out this one paper yesterday and noticed that on the first page, there are random bold words throughout the page. I then noticed that all the bold face words correspond with proper names and places--like you might find on...say a webpage with hyperlinks. So I Goo-gled the first line of the text, and what pops up--good ol' Wikicheatia. My student copied an entire article into the first couple pages of the essay and was gracious enough to leave in the hyperlinks and the punctuation mistakes of the original author. However, my student did insert random APA citations (of course I asked for MLA) throughout the article--citations to a book that (of course) I own and know for a fact that the information does not appear in (for example information on books that were published after said reference). Following the copied article are a series of sentences that do not sound anything like this student, the first of which belonged to the second site that came up after Wikicheatia.
So as I expressed to Dr. J, I'm mad because now I have to do paperwork. Our institution has a "process" and at this stage in the semester I really don't have energy for a process. I'm disappointed in this student because the paper was already late--s/he might as well have taken the time to have actually written something. I'm frustrated because this class has been a disappointment all semester--due in part to the lackluster performance of the students. And I'm just dumbfounded that this student could be this blatantly unethical.
So as I expressed to Dr. J, I'm mad because now I have to do paperwork. Our institution has a "process" and at this stage in the semester I really don't have energy for a process. I'm disappointed in this student because the paper was already late--s/he might as well have taken the time to have actually written something. I'm frustrated because this class has been a disappointment all semester--due in part to the lackluster performance of the students. And I'm just dumbfounded that this student could be this blatantly unethical.
First Year Wouldn't Be Complete Without...
1) A case of plagiarism.
2) A huge rift in my new department.
More on both later. Right now I'm just so blown away by the disappointing revelations of the day.
2) A huge rift in my new department.
More on both later. Right now I'm just so blown away by the disappointing revelations of the day.
Final Papers
These last stacks of papers have become the elephants in my house. I am tired of wrestling with these things and wish they would just disappear. I knew professors in grad school who just assigned A's without ever reading final papers. I'm beginning to understand why.
The Week Ahead
I am looking forward to the end of this week. I have my last two finals on Tuesday. While I will miss my students (most of them), I am looking forward to a break from campus and going to University Town for Dr. J's defense. There will be much celebration when I get through all these papers and exams and submit my final grades.
I am not looking forward to my faculty meeting this week which continues discussion of this. At our most recent meeting, I did discover that my cause for concern was correct--I was completely clueless that there is a huge divide in our department As our conversations expanded beyond the initial topic from the administration, a bit of a "fight" between the factions I didn't know about in our department broke out. Over the past couple of weeks I've discovered the ugly underbelly of my department and (although I was waiting for it) the final shoe has officially dropped. I knew that there were politics in my department--I've been watching them play out over the endless series of meeting we've been having of late. However, I didn't know that certain members of the department actually devalue other members of the department. I knew we were a diverse group with different research and teaching interests that stretch the far reaches of our discipline--but apparently I had bought into the lie that we market to the world--that we value our disciplinary diversity. And unfortunately, it goes beyond that to fundamental differences in opinion about what does and doesn't belong in the "discipline" and what our students should (or shouldn't) "waste their times learning." I had no idea there were such fundamental differences in our department, and it is frustrating because it really could end in a very tangible separation. I hate feeling like I have to pick "a side," and I hate knowing that this issue will unlikely be resolved at our last meeting of the year and will "haunt" us all for the entire summer.
I am not looking forward to my faculty meeting this week which continues discussion of this. At our most recent meeting, I did discover that my cause for concern was correct--I was completely clueless that there is a huge divide in our department As our conversations expanded beyond the initial topic from the administration, a bit of a "fight" between the factions I didn't know about in our department broke out. Over the past couple of weeks I've discovered the ugly underbelly of my department and (although I was waiting for it) the final shoe has officially dropped. I knew that there were politics in my department--I've been watching them play out over the endless series of meeting we've been having of late. However, I didn't know that certain members of the department actually devalue other members of the department. I knew we were a diverse group with different research and teaching interests that stretch the far reaches of our discipline--but apparently I had bought into the lie that we market to the world--that we value our disciplinary diversity. And unfortunately, it goes beyond that to fundamental differences in opinion about what does and doesn't belong in the "discipline" and what our students should (or shouldn't) "waste their times learning." I had no idea there were such fundamental differences in our department, and it is frustrating because it really could end in a very tangible separation. I hate feeling like I have to pick "a side," and I hate knowing that this issue will unlikely be resolved at our last meeting of the year and will "haunt" us all for the entire summer.
Democratic Love Fest
Well, not surprisingly, the Dems tonight played it safe and tried to "get along." They were all on a first name basis and smiles and nods all around. For a number of reasons--personally, culturally, academically, pedagogically--I was very excited about tonight's debate and the coverage from South Carolina State University, an institution from which several of my friends and family members have degrees.
But I knew ahead of time this would be a very straightforward debate. No one wants to rock the boat this early. In prepping for my class next semester, I was reading a few weeks ago on primary debates. The lack of public interest in these debates seems to reflect a lack of scholarly interest as well, as most of the scholarship on debates is focused on the general election. Still, there is a good bit of conventional wisdom that says primary debates serve important functions in helping candidates to create and shape their image, to set the agenda in terms of the issues discuss, and to demonstrate why they are a viable candidate for the "job." Going into an election where there are no incumbents, it was expected that the Dems would avoid in-fighting or stepping on anyone's toes. And for the most part they did.
My highlights of the debate:
But I knew ahead of time this would be a very straightforward debate. No one wants to rock the boat this early. In prepping for my class next semester, I was reading a few weeks ago on primary debates. The lack of public interest in these debates seems to reflect a lack of scholarly interest as well, as most of the scholarship on debates is focused on the general election. Still, there is a good bit of conventional wisdom that says primary debates serve important functions in helping candidates to create and shape their image, to set the agenda in terms of the issues discuss, and to demonstrate why they are a viable candidate for the "job." Going into an election where there are no incumbents, it was expected that the Dems would avoid in-fighting or stepping on anyone's toes. And for the most part they did.
My highlights of the debate:
- The coverage of South Carolina State University--in particular--explicit mention of the Orangeburg Massacre which is continually ignored in conversations of student protests like Kent State. As Rep. Clyburn mentioned on the pre-coverage broadcast, the town of Orangeburg is still healing and working through what happened on the campus. So I was glad that had national coverage--even it is almost four decades later.
- The questions from the local news viewers were excellent--a number of the questions gave more insight into what the candidates were thinking (or trying not to discuss) than those that were created by the political staff at NBC.
- Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich kept everyone on their toes and made sure that this wasn't just 90 minutes of Democratic song and dance. Gravel in particular did take the frontrunners to task for why they continued to keep funding the war and trying to pass "soft" bills while ignoring the fact that Bush has made it clear he won't withdraw the troops while in office.
- Obama did nicely in his "rookie appearance" though I thought he played it a bit too safe. He was clear on healthcare and Iraq and the environment but I really wanted to hear about something else--especially given they are going to beat these issues into the ground for the rest of the year. I understand that was due largely to the nature of the questions, but there were some windows to discuss some other issues. I did appreciate his being firm on saying (in South Carolina) that the Confederate flag belongs in a museum--big points for me personally that could cost him a bit in the media outlets south of the M/D--as well as bringing up the poor response of the federal government in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
- Clinton was polished and direct overall. Strong on defense, clear on health care, and she spoke with the tone of a leader.
My lowlights:
- Before the coverage began, Chris Matthews asked a Clinton strategist--"What is she wearing tonight?" I've studied this--this is not new and women in politics have always been questioned more about their appearance and fashion. But Matthews followup comments demonstrated his ignorance of this as he continued by saying that he was really fascinated by this "visual" and that we've never had to consider before what someone might wear other than the charcoal suit. Wrong Chris. Just four years ago you (the media) dubbed Carol Moseley Braun the "Lady in Red." That's just as one example.
- Bill Richardson--who has a lot of potential--really missed an opportunity to shine by being way too wordy.
- Clinton calling everyone by their first names was weird to me. There will be much conversation about this I'm sure, so I'll leave it to the "experts." I was more annoyed when she began to sound a bit like Bush in talking about retaliation and raised her hand in the belief of a "global war on terror" (as did most of the candidates).
- John Edwards must do something other than rely on his Southern charm when he's in the South. We get it--you're from the Carolinas. Beyond that I was disappointed that he didn't bring anything really new to the table and at times sounded defeated. Although he gave the "when I'm president" lines, they were delivered with a bit of a nonchalant or disconnected flavor that is not going to help him move up in the polls. Still, I'm sure his supporters were happy with his candor and his clear arguments about defense and healthcare.
- Too much focus on Iraq. And no discussion on education--that was very disappointing--especially given the setting of a historical Black college in a southern state not known for great education.
That was fun. I'm one of those weirdos who enjoys campaigns and it is really one of the few things that will make me watch the news. But enough for tonight (I switched from the debate to Moesha). Now its time to do a little grading before bed. Coverage of the Republican debate to come...
The Worst Senioritis
I've had a whole week to grade final papers and have I started yet? No. I have to get through one of my sections of Major Course papers today--their final is tomorrow and I want to get all these papers off my desk and back into their hands.
Today is going to be a killer grading day, but I'm already thinking about ways to put it off. I need to go to the gym. I need to work on my abstract for this conference. I've been invited to dinner with my writing group and I so rarely hang out with them socially.
I'm just ready for the semester to be really over. It is great that I'm not teaching again until August but I'd really like to be done with the grading and the student emails now. Please?!
Today is going to be a killer grading day, but I'm already thinking about ways to put it off. I need to go to the gym. I need to work on my abstract for this conference. I've been invited to dinner with my writing group and I so rarely hang out with them socially.
I'm just ready for the semester to be really over. It is great that I'm not teaching again until August but I'd really like to be done with the grading and the student emails now. Please?!
The Blues
It is always a wonderful rush to see Dr. J and generally a major emotional crash when he leaves. I'm so glad he snuck away from University Town this weekend. It was a completely unexpected visit and we had a great couple days together. Of course, I didn't get a lot of work down this weekend, so I'll be burning the midnight oil for a few nights to get my final grading done--but it was definitely worth it!
One of the things we are both looking forward to when my semester is over and his defense is done, is really talking about the wedding and getting prepared for married life. We are both excited just to continue this journey of being engaged, which has felt a bit on pause of late for a wide variety of reasons. Although it may be tough and intense at times, we are exciting about couples counseling with our officiant and mapping out things like our finances and our plans for the future. And of course, we are looking forward to the fun stuff too like the cake tasting and the honeymoon! It was fun to spend just a little time thinking about all of that this weekend.
Of the many things on pause is choosing our wedding colors. We both said long ago that if we ended up getting married in the fall, our primary color would be a shade of red OR if we were married in the spring, it would be some shade of blue. While we both envisioned a garnet/burgundy color for the fall, we've been at a bit of a loss to pick a shade of blue. We love blues, but there are so many. So for much of the engagement it has been a list of blues that it won't be--it won't be too royal, too dark, too pastel, too powdery, too turquoise. Just a nice medium blue--perhaps with a silvery tone to it.
We've been looking at a lot of blues--marine blue, slate blue--but the colors we have in mind have yet to translate into swatches for potential attire for the wedding party. Until recently. I think I may have THE potential blue.
I went to a bridal show with Mom not too long ago and saw this dress
. The show was actually in the same room where we're having our wedding and under the big lights, this blue was amazing. Unfortunately, in the pictures from the website, it is not quite what I remembered. This blue is called teal. Now when I think of teal, I think of a shade that has a bit more green in it. I like this teal because it doesn't have a lot of green it in.
. The show was actually in the same room where we're having our wedding and under the big lights, this blue was amazing. Unfortunately, in the pictures from the website, it is not quite what I remembered. This blue is called teal. Now when I think of teal, I think of a shade that has a bit more green in it. I like this teal because it doesn't have a lot of green it in. And of course the teal looks different online with different types of fabrics. The teal to the left with the deep V-neck is in a satin/chiffon, while this strapless is also teal in an all satin dress.
So of course soon, Lani and I will have to go to the store and find a style that fits her and check out the fabric in person. She was not excited to hear that we wanted blue because she did not want to be in a Rhoyal Blue and Gold Sigma Gamma Rho wedding. I promised her years ago that I wouldn't do that, but I can't help it that blue is one of our favorite colors!! I do want to find a nice blue that will go will with her skin color. She has a beautiful chocolate complexion and wears all colors really well--but I want to make sure she looks and feels great. And hopefully we can find a dress that she might actually wear again.
Brighter News
I have to share--Dr. J's defense date is finally set. It will be in less than three weeks!! This is very exciting because (to be honest) his chair was jerking him around and it didn't look like he would be able to defend before graduation (which would have mean out-of-state summer tuition). I don't want to put all his business in the street, but I'm VERY exciting that we'll be celebrating his defense and graduation soon!
On VTech
I've really been struggling to blog in the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings. I think my quietness on the shootings has been largely because the first thing I said when I heard was that it was probably an Asian guy mad about all the rich folks in the middle of that poor/working class mountain community. It is just disturbing and sad what has happened and the information that has continued to poor out on this event. As many have expressed, it is difficult to know just what to say and when to say it. I hope we will talk more seriously about guns and violence and apathy and mental health and social care and concern for each other as human beings in the coming days.
For now I continue to grieve the loss of so many brave and heroic and brilliant individuals.
Nikki Giovanni, University Distinguished Professor of English, VPI&SU
http://www.english.vt.edu/
We are Virginia Tech
We are sad today
We will be sad for quite a while
We are not moving on
We are embracing our mourning
We are Virginia Tech
We are strong enough to stand tall tearlessly
We are brave enough to bend to cry
And we are sad enough to know that we must laugh again
We are Virginia Tech
We do not understand this tragedy
We know we did nothing to deserve it
But neither does a child in Africa
Dying of AIDS
Neither do the Invisible Children
Walking the night away to avoid being captured by a rogue army
Neither does the baby elephant watching his community
Be devastated for ivory
Neither does the Mexican child looking
For fresh water
Neither does the Iraqi teenager dodging bombs
Neither does the Appalachian infant killed
By a boulder
Dislodged
Because the land was destabilized
No one deserves a tragedy
We are Virginia Tech
The Hokie Nation embraces
Our own
And reaches out
With open heart and mind
To those who offer their hearts and hands
We are strong
And brave
And innocent
And unafraid
We are better than we think
And not yet quite what we want to be
We are alive to imagination
And open to possibility
We will continue
To invent the future
Through our blood and tears
Through all this sadness
We are the Hokies
We will prevail
We will prevail
We will prevail
We are
Virginia Tech
~~Nikki Giovanni, delivered at the Convocation, April 17, 2007
For now I continue to grieve the loss of so many brave and heroic and brilliant individuals.
Nikki Giovanni, University Distinguished Professor of English, VPI&SU
http://www.english.vt.edu/
We are Virginia Tech
We are sad today
We will be sad for quite a while
We are not moving on
We are embracing our mourning
We are Virginia Tech
We are strong enough to stand tall tearlessly
We are brave enough to bend to cry
And we are sad enough to know that we must laugh again
We are Virginia Tech
We do not understand this tragedy
We know we did nothing to deserve it
But neither does a child in Africa
Dying of AIDS
Neither do the Invisible Children
Walking the night away to avoid being captured by a rogue army
Neither does the baby elephant watching his community
Be devastated for ivory
Neither does the Mexican child looking
For fresh water
Neither does the Iraqi teenager dodging bombs
Neither does the Appalachian infant killed
By a boulder
Dislodged
Because the land was destabilized
No one deserves a tragedy
We are Virginia Tech
The Hokie Nation embraces
Our own
And reaches out
With open heart and mind
To those who offer their hearts and hands
We are strong
And brave
And innocent
And unafraid
We are better than we think
And not yet quite what we want to be
We are alive to imagination
And open to possibility
We will continue
To invent the future
Through our blood and tears
Through all this sadness
We are the Hokies
We will prevail
We will prevail
We will prevail
We are
Virginia Tech
~~Nikki Giovanni, delivered at the Convocation, April 17, 2007
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