So. I turned in the last of my three exam essays last night. I might have written that last essay on a laptop sprawled out in front of the TV, watching the Rockies play the Cubs.
Happily, that was probably totally appropriate. American Studies is fantastic that way - as theory-laden as you can make it (if you want), it is still an act of creative exploration.
Throughout this hell, I've come to remember why I entered this program to begin with. American Studies really is a kick ass field.
++++
I am trying to wrap up my final revisions to my paper so I can toss it to my committee and fly to DC on Thursday with only my defense (ONLY!?!) and presentation hanging over me. Sweet jeezuz, this is kicking my ass.
++++
How are you? What else is going on in the world? I cannot wait to rejoin you all.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Acknowledgements
Would it be tacky to include Lexapro in my Acknowledgements section?
Because holy hell, I would not make it through the next three weeks without it.
Because holy hell, I would not make it through the next three weeks without it.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Friday Five
ONE.
I turned my paper in to "Advisor" earlier this week. He actually read it and sent me feedback within three days. THREE DAYS. Usually I am pumped if I get and recognition of my work within three weeks! And good news: I have some changes to make but they don't seem unreasonable or impossible. My committee should have my paper next week!
TWO.
APRIL. Sweet Jesus.
I turned my paper in to "Advisor" earlier this week. He actually read it and sent me feedback within three days. THREE DAYS. Usually I am pumped if I get and recognition of my work within three weeks! And good news: I have some changes to make but they don't seem unreasonable or impossible. My committee should have my paper next week!
TWO.
APRIL. Sweet Jesus.
April 8 - 14:
Finish paper, send to committee
Finish all University Bullshit Paperwork to graduate
Finish reading books and articles from my Reading List (about 8 items out of 30 at this point)
Try to finagle two or three days off form work to prepare for...
April 15 -17:
My exam! I will get six questions, two from each member of my committee. The questions are based on my reading list. I have to write three essays in response to three of the questions (my choice) over three days.
April 19 - 20:
Out of town for Spring meeting for work
April 21 - 25:
Washington, DC!!!!!
Also, will have to work on presentation for Master's (bummer)
Sometime April 26 - 29:
Present and defend my paper and essay questions.
April 30
Drink heavily
May 7:
GRADUATE.
Oh. My. God.
THREE.
How the fuck this paper is not A Thesis I do not know. It features primary research. It is just re-arranged in "article" format rather than chapter format.
FOUR.
I shall stop wondering why this is not A Thesis. It is making me bitter.
FIVE.
I dreamt the other night that I WAS KATE MIDDLETON.
W.T.F.?!?!
Yes, I may have purchased the issue of Life about William and Kate. But I really do not think I am obsessing over The Royal Wedding.
How embarrassing.
How does your April look?
Happy Friday to you!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Jerked Around
I finally realized just how much I have to accomplish before the first week of May. Actually, the last week of April. Also, I am traveling or in day-long meetings for 13 of the 30 days in April. Needless to say, I am obsessing about finding every possible usable moment in my day. It makes for an anxious time.
FUCK.
The writing is going very well and is nearly finished. I have yet to set up my exam, but that shouldn't be a problem. My main hurdle with the exam is I still have about 12 articles to read. Again, doable but oh my goodness.
Oh, and there is that tiny matter of my Independent Study. I've kept up with the reading quite well, but am not sure if I incorporated enough of it into my paper to constitute not having to write a separate paper. Please let our significant (and brilliant!) chat-age about the reading be enough to satisfy Dr. J's requirements. PLEASE.
++++
Saturday was windy as all hell but we reached 70 degrees ABOVE zero! There was jubilation! Dancing! Delighted prancing in the front yard that is finally clear of snow!
Sunday I woke up to about four inches of heavy, wet snow. It continued to snow throughout the day.
It was 8 degrees (ABOVE ZERO!) when I left the house this morning.
Enough said.
++++
I am so very ready for summer, for baseball, for fly fishing, and nothing else.
FUCK.
The writing is going very well and is nearly finished. I have yet to set up my exam, but that shouldn't be a problem. My main hurdle with the exam is I still have about 12 articles to read. Again, doable but oh my goodness.
Oh, and there is that tiny matter of my Independent Study. I've kept up with the reading quite well, but am not sure if I incorporated enough of it into my paper to constitute not having to write a separate paper. Please let our significant (and brilliant!) chat-age about the reading be enough to satisfy Dr. J's requirements. PLEASE.
++++
Saturday was windy as all hell but we reached 70 degrees ABOVE zero! There was jubilation! Dancing! Delighted prancing in the front yard that is finally clear of snow!
Sunday I woke up to about four inches of heavy, wet snow. It continued to snow throughout the day.
It was 8 degrees (ABOVE ZERO!) when I left the house this morning.
Enough said.
++++
I am so very ready for summer, for baseball, for fly fishing, and nothing else.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Friday Five
1. This giving up added sugar thing is HARD. Sugar is everywhere! I really could not tolerate black coffee so I have been using xylitol to sweeten it. The word sounds so scientific and man-made, and yet it is totally natural. And it doesn't leave a weird aftertaste like stevia. And since it does not require insulin to be digested, I am hoping it won't wreak havoc on my body the way other sugars do. It is still a cheat, though, as I am not retraining my palate to enjoy less sweet foods.
However. Tis the season for Cadbury Mini Eggs!!
Clearly, I did not think this shit through.
2. I slacked off on Masters Shit big time this week and am in full-on PANIC MODE about getting all the necessary reading and writing and testing and paperwork done. I have no one to blame but myself and I have been doing that faithfully. I should quit beating myself up and instead focus that energy on working, yes? I just might learn something yet.
3. For the first time in three months, we can park the truck at the house, instead of halfway down the lane to the road. Almost all of the snow drifts have melted, and it is so awesome.
This may seem lame-o to you, but after being drifted in ALL WINTER, this is some exciting shit around here!
I am trying not to get too damn excited, though, because I know a Spring Storm will eventually blindside us. But, I am going to run some of my errands on foot today and enjoy the weather.
4. A band of sparrows have already been eyeballing our bird house that we keep for Mountain Bluebirds. Bastards. I don't know how we'd try to keep the sparrows away without scaring off the Mountain Bluebirds, too.
I haven't seen the first Mountain Bluebird of the spring yet, but I hope to soon. We usually see them in March.
5. When I fly out to DC in April for a friend's baby shower, I kind of hope I get picked for one of those ridiculously intrusive full-body scans.
I want to see if my IUD and ankle hardware show up in the scanner! That would be so cool and so weird.
After my curiosity is satisfied I will be self-righteously pissed about the intrusive scanners.
Happy Friday to you!
However. Tis the season for Cadbury Mini Eggs!!
Clearly, I did not think this shit through.
2. I slacked off on Masters Shit big time this week and am in full-on PANIC MODE about getting all the necessary reading and writing and testing and paperwork done. I have no one to blame but myself and I have been doing that faithfully. I should quit beating myself up and instead focus that energy on working, yes? I just might learn something yet.
3. For the first time in three months, we can park the truck at the house, instead of halfway down the lane to the road. Almost all of the snow drifts have melted, and it is so awesome.
This may seem lame-o to you, but after being drifted in ALL WINTER, this is some exciting shit around here!
I am trying not to get too damn excited, though, because I know a Spring Storm will eventually blindside us. But, I am going to run some of my errands on foot today and enjoy the weather.
4. A band of sparrows have already been eyeballing our bird house that we keep for Mountain Bluebirds. Bastards. I don't know how we'd try to keep the sparrows away without scaring off the Mountain Bluebirds, too.
I haven't seen the first Mountain Bluebird of the spring yet, but I hope to soon. We usually see them in March.
5. When I fly out to DC in April for a friend's baby shower, I kind of hope I get picked for one of those ridiculously intrusive full-body scans.
I want to see if my IUD and ankle hardware show up in the scanner! That would be so cool and so weird.
After my curiosity is satisfied I will be self-righteously pissed about the intrusive scanners.
Happy Friday to you!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Forgiving
So, Lent.
I haven't been to church in I don't know how long. The Church (Catholic) proceeds to make me more and more angry, more indignant of the blatant hypocrisy in living as decent human beings, much less as Christ's example. I will always miss the culture of Catholicism, though. I've written about this before.
I still appreciate the season of Lent. Of changing something in the routine of my life so as to bring values and actions into sharp relief. Do the values and actions line up? What about those values - re they mine, or am I wearing someone else's' morality? What do I need to do so my actions back up my values?
All the while, forgiving myself for my many shortcomings. Taking the time to forgive others' theirs. I think this is the best product and practice of Lent.
++++
I am giving up sweets for Lent, and trying to reduce the amount of added sugar my diet generally. Also, I will practice an evening meditation every night. I am better able to keep things in perspective when I faithfully do this evening mediation.
So far I managed to drink my coffee black and bought plain, salted cashews for an afternoon snack. Success!
++++
Are you giving anything up for Lent?
I haven't been to church in I don't know how long. The Church (Catholic) proceeds to make me more and more angry, more indignant of the blatant hypocrisy in living as decent human beings, much less as Christ's example. I will always miss the culture of Catholicism, though. I've written about this before.
I still appreciate the season of Lent. Of changing something in the routine of my life so as to bring values and actions into sharp relief. Do the values and actions line up? What about those values - re they mine, or am I wearing someone else's' morality? What do I need to do so my actions back up my values?
All the while, forgiving myself for my many shortcomings. Taking the time to forgive others' theirs. I think this is the best product and practice of Lent.
++++
I am giving up sweets for Lent, and trying to reduce the amount of added sugar my diet generally. Also, I will practice an evening meditation every night. I am better able to keep things in perspective when I faithfully do this evening mediation.
So far I managed to drink my coffee black and bought plain, salted cashews for an afternoon snack. Success!
++++
Are you giving anything up for Lent?
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