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Barbie Dream House meets GI Joe: (in the JC Penney catalog, found on antiwar.com)
This is a scary thing, methinks. Granted, I'm not the type to encourage toy gun use on kids either -- but this seems really outta place to be marketing right now.
Its hard being up here. The Anti-American sentiments are SO strong. I've never been that much of a patriot, but being up here makes me so defensive sometimes. People get this smug attitude towards the States that really drives me crazy. They just go off, mostly when they don't realize that I'm from the US (and even sometimes when they know full well).
Wow, that's depressing. Moving on to another topic. Its freaking cold. I knew that this weather was coming, but wow. Raining, windy, sleety, cold. Not fun adjectives. (that's sorta depressing too, huh?)
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Ah, NASCAR. Whatta race today (even though Jeff Gordon won...grr.). Red-flagged with less than 10 laps to go! Kevin didn't finish so bad, despite having tire problems at the end of the race. He finished a lap down, but still made 11th place (and did lead almost 50 laps of the race, earlier).
Wow, do I hate NBC's coverage of races, though. (bring back FOX! bring back FOX!) I despise the geezer Benny last-time-I-raced-was-over-20-years-ago Parsons. He was going on and on today that fans only watch races for the wrecks. Whatta loser. Not the case, idiot. Granted, they are exciting, but that's not the reason behind why fans watch. Its the excitement of the whole thing! After going to Daytona this summer for the Pepsi 400, I'm forever hooked. There's nothing like watching and hearing the cars go around the track, full force. Talk about adrenaline! The colors, the blur of the cars going by at 185 mph, the roar of the engines....I almost feel like inserting a Tim Allen "arrr arrr" sound here. :)
So I watched all three Godfather movies this weekend. We rented the DVD set, and also watched a bunch of the extra stuff that comes along with it. I think the more that I watch those movies, the more that I appreciate them and the faster they run. I notice neat little things that I've missed before. Like in Part I, when Michael hides and rescues his father from being "hit" in the hospital, he leans over and tells him, "I'm here Dad, I'll take care of you." As soon as Michael leaves, the Godfather (while still in a comatose state) smiles and a tear falls from his eye. I never noticed that before. Other things pop at you, too -- from repeated scenes and themes to the different ways the story is told. We finished watching 'em all around 3AM. I coulda stayed and watched more of the extra stuff, but unfortunately I was outnumbered.
Off to go read more on The English Patient.
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I've had my hair cut by a biker with a razor blade. Really! Got up this morning and trekked to Chelsea's Hair Design to have my hair cut and highlighted by a guy named Kim. I wasn't expecting much, but was looking forward to having my hair done (since the last time I had it done was Spring, back home). WOW. I felt like a movie star!
First off, my stylist (who's also the owner of the salon, btw) walks in, right off his Harley, carrying his helmet. He's got the coolest outfit on, complete with funky hair. He takes me back to the salon area and we discuss what to do with my hair. I swear, at this point I feel like I'm in TLC's
He decides that I should put both highlights and low-lights in my hair. Low-lights? They're the ones that help to texture your hair to focus more on the highlights you put in it. Anyways, to tone down my red, he put both blonde highlights and black (yes, black) low-lights in my hair. Its so cool looking! I know its hard to picture it, but its really neat. I'll haveta hunt down a digital camera and post one up for all to see. :)
I got my first ever scalp massage and he cut/layered my hair mostly using a razor blade. He was so artistic about the whole thing, it was actually fun to watch! I walked outta the salon a new woman. I even went home and put on makeup, I felt so great. He gave me 10% off everything -- and I still paid LESS than I'm used to in Savannah. Sweet!
So, I'm a mostly happy camper about now.
One thing that slightly brings me down: tomorrow my parents have a "reception" being held for them at the den of wolves...er, I mean former church. I shouldn't be so pessimistic about the whole thing, because I know that there are geniune Christians there that love and support my family. I just dread the ones that look and act friendly and then twist the knife further into your back. Sigh. I wish I could go to it -- but then I'm a bit glad I'm not. My temper is still pretty high (especially having watched The Godfather again tonight).
I'm just really thankful for the wise, spiritual, and amazing parents I have. They continue to amaze me at the way they're handling this continually abusive situation. I wanna grow up to be just like 'em. (Of course, after I have find some way to rectify this situation) :)
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Here's the email I got from my Icelandic prof:
Dear Rebekah, What a wise and good person you are! You have done just the right thing, and although I shall miss you in my class I will know that you have, really, other things to think about at this time and that they are, truly, more important than anything you would do with Old Icelandic this year. I wish you well with these problems and will pray for you and your family, if I ever get around to praying these days, which are always too busy. Do let me know if I can help you at any time during your career with us, ok? And in my opinion, knowing where and when to battle is not the same thing as being a quitter, which you will never be, I'm sure. Take care!
Yay. That could have been a lot more painful, but thankfully it wasn't.
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Wow, and I thought my hobbies were lame. This is a sport?
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Watching the English Patient (and still think its pretty much full of drek). I've gotta give a presentation on "The English Patient and Hollywood" next week, so I think I'll be watching and reading waaaaaay too much on it in the next coming days. Maybe I'll get an appreciation for it, I dunno.
what's your inner flower?
[c] s u g a r d
e w
Tomorrow, first thing, I'm telling Dr. Harris I'm dropping his class. Not looking forward to THAT conversation.
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Adios, Old Icelandic.
I've come to the conclusion today that this language is so not me. After spending hours studying the stuff this weekend and last night, I arrived at class this morning still at least 2 lessons behind everyone else. Then I sit in class for 2 hours, struggling to understand what the hell the professor is saying (and he's speaking English, not Icelandic). He'll call on me to answer a question from the homework and I'll stutter and say something that only 50% of the time is right and then make me try to say it in Icelandic. Its the first class I've taken in my academic career where I enter the class in a state of anxiety and halfway through have an extreme hatred for the language and/or the professor who is rapidly trying to make me absorb the stuff. I'll take this as a good signal that I need to drop it. While I hate quitting on things, I think that this will be beneficial for me in the end -- if nothing more than I'll actually enjoy the first semester of my graduate school experience.
That said, I was a much happier camper when I finally came to the realization that dropping the course is a very viable option at this point. I have an appointment with my academic "mentor" on campus on Thursday to discuss this decision, but my mind is pretty much made up. Phew.
On a "brighter" note, I watched The Osbournes tonight on CBC...and it was without the bleeps. These crazy Canadians and their non-censored stuff. :)
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Wow, is my head swimming with grammar. Ugh. Must-get-a-grasp-of-comma-splices-and-fused-sentences. Well, at least enough of a grasp so that I can communicate to a bunch of 17 and 18 year olds the importance of avoiding such creatures in their upcoming papers. I've even worked on Old Icelandic this weekend, too. Go me! I stuck myself in my office (still love saying that) in the library -- complete with Miles Davis and Diana Krall mp3s -- and buckled down. I was there until the cleaning lady started turning lights off on my floor (10 minutes early too, I might add).
This week looks to be busybusy, but its a good thing I think. On Thursday I'm going to hear Tomson Highway read at the local McNally Robinson (the best thing near a Barnes and Noble in these parts). I'm reading a novel by him in my 816.6 class, so it will be interesting to actually get to meet the man behind his printed words.
I've been working through Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie in my spare time (which seems to be rapidly diminishing). Its an amazing book, so full of metaphors and images that I'm constantly fighting the urge to mark up every page. Its the story of several generations of an Indian family whose life parallels the new found independence of their homeland. I'm only about 150 pages into it, but I'd still highly recommend it.
Here's a quote from an earlier section of the book that really stood out to me -- it involves Tai, an old boatman, giving advice to a young man:
"Tai tapped his left nostril. 'You know what this is nakkoo? It's the place where the outside world meets the world inside you. If they don't get on, you feel it here. Then you rub your nose with embarrassment to make the itch go away. A nose like that, little idiot, is a great gift. I say: trust it. When it warns you, look out or you'll be finished. Follow your nose and you'll go far.'"
Not bad advice, though it does sound a little bit like Toucan Sam. I particularly like the bit about it being the place "where the outside world meets the world inside you." Ah, to be a writer!
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Things I've noticed about Canada/Saskatchewan:
- I should have said "aboot" in the sentence above
- The letter Z has now become the letter "zed"
- The Arrogant Worms
- For some strange reason, the night of the week that stores stay open the longest is Thursday
- I now have a distinct Southern accent
- Uncensored TV -- now I can really hear what the Osbournes are really saying (yikes)
- Mmmm, yummy beer!
- There's lots of (spoken and unspoken) animosity towards the States
- Once someone finds out where I'm from, the inevitable next question is: "Well, why are you HERE?"
- The metric system is alive and well (and the kilometers per hour numbers are WAY too small on my car)
- For once, my US dollars seem to stretch further than I'm used to (yay, exchange rate)
- Oh, its already freezing in September
- Statutory holidays -- one government-mandated holiday per month!
- Ending every sentence in a question form is totally acceptable (eh?)
- The selections of Slurpees has increased exponentially
- People walk a lot more here -- and cars actually give the right of way to pedestrians
- Walmarts aren't open 24 hours a day (closing at 10PM? Crazy!)
- Thanksgiving is now in October!
- I'm a long way from home
- There's a laundromat that also operates as a bar (Wash 'N Slosh)
- Free healthcare for everyone
- No biscuits at KFC -- french fries instead (yuck)
- Tim Horton's
- Cappuccino bubble gum!
- NO Mexican restaurants to be found. But plenty of Thai, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese
- Northern lights, huge skies, and millions of grasshoppers
     
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Just 'cause Greg thinks I have an identity complex, here's another quiz:
which mr. men/little miss are you?
take the quiz & find out! :)
quiz made by jaded_dazey
Remember these books? They were some of my favorites, growing up.
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since feeling is first
e.e. cummings
since feeling is first
who pays any attention
to the syntax of things
will never wholly kiss you;
wholly to be a fool
while Spring is in the world
my blood approves,
and kisses are a better fate
than wisdom
lady i swear by all flowers. Don't cry
-- the best gesture of my brain is less than
your eyelids' flutter which says
we are for each other:then
laugh,leaning back in my arms
for life's not a paragraph
And death i think is no parenthesis
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Here's home:
Saskatoon: The city of bridges. There's 5 or 6 of them in town, since the river basically divides it in half. I've rollerbladed over a couple of 'em.
Oh! And guess who is a Saskatoon native: Joni Mitchell!
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So I actually went out last night and had a good time! After meeting people at the Hose for drinks and cheap wings (10 for 2 bucks), we headed over the Wash 'N Slosh to see a local band, Bender. Now, the Wash 'N Slosh is quite possibly one of the most unique bars I've been to -- its not only a place to order drinks and watch bands, but its also a place where you can do your laundry at the same time! A laundro-bar. I had the best seat in the house last night. Not only did I have a great place to see the band play, but I could also watch the dryers at the same time. What more could you ask for?
Its cold today. Cold for this Savannah girl, making me wonder how in the world I'm going to survive the next 4 or 5 months of winter up here! Its in the 30's and 40's already. Just look at my poor weather pixie! I hope she has some warmer clothes for the next couple months. I still need to invest in a winter jacket.
Oh! Also bought Arrogant Worms tickets last night. They're coming October 5th. Woohoo!
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< rant ON >
Everyone applaud me for my restraint in not listing the names and addresses for all the people that continually betray and hurt my dad as he transitions jobs. Its probably a GOOD thing that I'm 2000+ miles away at this point -- Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to sit still and watch both my mom and him keep getting hurt. Tonight it was announced publicly finally of my dad's "resignation." In the church newsletter, it was buried on the second page along with other minor announcements. My dad has been there for over 10 years. And now he's literally being treated like a red-headed stepchild by this facetious hypocritical bunch.
Argh, I get so angry. Angry that a good man like my dad is being treated this way, after so many years of dilligent, unthanked service. Just because he "doesn't fit their profile" of the direction they're headed (you make the call where), he's thrown out and disregarded. Up until this point, both my mom and dad have been very optimistic about this forced transition, looking at the bright side of things. But tonight, once again, they were mistreated and betrayed by someone on the staff that abused her position and took advantage of my dad. Its a long story, but at the end of it, my parents and the group they were meeting with were forced out of a room and had to go finish their meeting (conducting church affairs for the missions team) at their personal home, since they weren't allowed to finish meeting in the room that they had booked for weeks at the church ahead of time.
This just infuriates me.
My dad has NEVER gotten the respect he deserved in that job, yet despite all that, he still worked hard. I remember the one summer I actually worked for the church as an intern and got to witness firsthand the different mistreatments and lack of respect he put up with everyday. Its just a social club over there -- totally reminds me of high school. All this scrambling over each other to make one's self look good on the outside, or to impress the main hypocrite himself, the senior pastor (or his crony of the Administrative "pastor.").
I know I sound so bitter, but I just hate that I have to sit here, listen to my parents heartbreak while dealing with my own, and do absolutely nothing. I so want to proclaim to the world not only the name of this false church but the ones that have hurt me and the ones I love most. Heck, I want to post the name of the "church" here for people to see and be wary of -- But, I'm not going to. I know its so hard for my dad right now and I don't want to make more waves in his boat, since he's got more than he can handle anyway.
Sigh. How disillusioning. Betrayal at its finest. And you know, it wouldn't hurt so much if we all hadn't been so close as a staff family. I grew up with these staff mentors, looked up to them. And to be continually beat down and exposed as what they really are is hard to deal with. I get angry thinking about how they don't even care about what they're doing -- how they'll essentially get away with all this hypocrisy. Literal lies and facades 6 days a week, then "holy" and "role models" one day a week.
Its not fair.
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What does an anxiety attack feel like?
Wow, do I ever feel like the ignorant student at school. I miss the days when I was an undergraduate, when I thought I knew everything. Nowadays, I feel like I know oh-so little. I'm continually amazed at the thoughts my professors throw out at me, everyday -- from my Icelandic & Individual/Artistic Freedom professors all the way down to the prof that is teaching English110 twice a week. I feel like such a peon sometimes and wonder how I'll be able to get through this adventure. Don't get me wrong, I love the academic environment! I just wonder how or if I'll succeed in it.
I experienced my first fire alarm in a college environment today. It happened during our English 110 class. Lots of people and standing around as we were herded like cattle towards the doors. I just hope we don't have any of these drills in the wintertime! Evacuating when its below zero will so not be fun.
By the way, look who's article has finally been published.
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We interrupt this boring blog for a Spongebob break.
There, isn't that better? I luuurve that show.
So today I was singled out in Old Icelandic. Granted, its not hard to be singled out in that class, given that there's only 4 people total in the class itself. I was complaining that I had no idea what I was doing, so the prof has me share what I put on the exercises assigned. I actually didn't do that bad (considering). That class scares me to death. Its so hard trying to think in a different language paradigm. For example, there is NO word order in Old Icelandic -- its all in the inflectional endings. Its all jumbled up in the sentence, so you have to figure it out yourself. Which makes it difficult when you can't read it to begin with! Ah well.
Off to finish reading The English Patient. Thankfully, its not as full of drek as the movie.
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Wow, am I ever outta shape!! I took a "Cardio Combat" class this afternoon -- 60 minutes of kicks, punches, hops, and jumping jacks. I'm glad I went, though. I was able to visualize doing bodily harm to certain people in Savannah (coughgrumbleThePeopleWhoScrewedOverMyDadcough grumble). I'm going to make going to the gym a regular habit, at least 3 times a week. Granted, the gym isn't *anything* like I'm used to -- no EFX machines, only a few treadmills and bikes, but they've got a huge list of classes and its open til 10pm. Not too shabby.
My tutorial class this afternoon went well. I think I could get used to this professor/teaching type thing.
Oh, so yesterday I rush-ordered my Old Icelandic book (29 bucks for the book, 17 dollars for rush shipping). I'm in a hurry to get it, because I'm the only one in my class not to have one yet (prof had us order old editions of the book instead of buying in bookstore). This morning, I'm in my office in the library, and I thought I'd look up the book in the catalog. Turns out, they have an edition of the very book I just ordered! Great, thinks I. I'll use this puppy until I get my other book, right? Turns out, I can check books out from the library for a WHOLE year!! Wow! When the girl told me that at the library counter, I had to ask her to repeat the due date (September 30, next year). Guess I didn't have to rush ship that book after all. Ah well.
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Was taking a break and found this amusing tidbit: Graduate School Barbie
Every Graduate School Barbie comes with these fun-filled features guaranteed to delight and entertain for hours:
- Grad School Barbie comes out of the box with a big grin on her face that turns into a frown after 2 weeks or her first advisor meeting (whichever comes first).
- Adorable black circles under her delightfully bloodshot eyes!
- Two outfits: a grubby pair of blue jeans with 5-year-old gap T-shirt, and a floppy pair of gray sweatpants with a matching "Go Screw Yourself" T-shirt!
- Grad School Barbie talks! Just press the button on her left hand and hear her say such upbeat grad school phrases as, "Yes, Professor, It'll be done by tomorrow" "I'd love to write it all over again" "Why didn't I just get a job, I could have been making $40,000 a year by now if I had just started working with a Bachelor's degree. But noooooo, Mom and Dad wanted a masters degree" and "I wish somebody would drop a bomb on the school so that I'd have an excuse to stop working on this degree that's sucking every last drop of life force out of my withered and degraded excuse for a soul..." (9 V lithium batteries sold separately)
- Grad School Barbie is anatomically correct! Experience the exciting changes that come with pursuing a higher education! Removable panels on Barbie's head and torso allow you to watch as her cerebellum fries to a crispy brown, her heart race at 150 beats per minute, and her stomach lining gradually dissolve into nothing!
Deluxe Grad School Barbie comes with specially designed eye ducts. Just add water and watch Grad School Barbie burst into tears! Fun for the whole family!
Other accessories include:
- Grad School Barbie's Fun Fridge (tm). Well stocked with microwave popcorn, Coca-Cola, Healthy Choice Bologna (99% fat free!),and small bottle of Mattel Brand Rum (tm).
- Grad School Barbie's Medicine Cabinet. Comes in Fabulous Pink and contains Barbie sized bottles of Advil, St. Johns Wort, Zantac, and your choice of three fun anti-anxiety drugs! (Barbie Medicine Cabinet not available without a prescription).
- Grad School Barbie's Computer Workstation. Comes with miniature obsolete PC (pink of course), rickety desk, and over a dozen miniature Mountain Dew cans to decorate your workstation (Mountain Dew deposit not included in price, tech support sold separately. Miniature cigarette butts and Oreo packages also available)
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Watched and copied the 50th anniversary special of I Love Lucy. I remember watching this with my mom and Mike back home, before I left. It was hilarious! I needed several good laughs, and I got them, all over again. And a happy cry too, I always get all misty on the episode when Lucy reveals to Ricky she's pregnant. "We're having a baby, my baby and me." Awww.
School is going, albeit a bit overwhelming. Who knew that Old Icelandic would have 24 different forms of the definite article ("the")??! Funfun. Looks like I'll be writing nominative, genitive, dative, and accusative forms of Icelandic verbs all weekend. Joy! And reading the English Patient.
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Found out today that my dad has lost his job. He's been a minister in the same church for over 10 years, and apparently now he's not in the "profile" of the direction they're all going. Let me translate that for all you kids out there and aren't down with the ministry low-down: Basically, this "church" is more concerned with its consumer-driven hypocritical image building than it is with actually practicing what they literally preach.
I could rant for pages on the different ways people on the staff there have said one thing on Sunday morning, and then acted a completely different way the following Monday. It makes me physically sick that members of that church look up to the leadership there as Godly men, when that is the LAST thing I'd call them. I know that everyone makes mistakes, yadda yadda... but to continually be concerned with the appearances over behavior has NO excuses in my book. I have *no* desire to associate with them in any way.
They're telling people that my dad has left "to pursue other ministries." Again with the lying. They even accused my dad of verbally attacking someone -- and THAT was a complete lie, too. I know, because my dad actually called the person they accused him of offending and she had no problems with him and had no idea of what these "christians" were talking about (I'm using the small c here on purpose). His superiors wouldn't even reveal where they learned this "information" from. I think they just were looking for a reason to get him out, couldn't find anything, so had to make up something and accuse him falsely.
This same church is building a multi-million dollar church building that strikingly resembles a mall. There's talk of even putting a coffee shop like Starbucks in the courtyard. All about maintaining appearances and becoming "the fastest growing church in the Southeast." What an admirable goal.
Granted, my dad is way too good of a man to be stuck with a bunch of hypocritical "wolves in sheeps clothing," so I'm not upset that he's leaving. I'm more upset at the way its all being handled. He's feeling so betrayed right now -- he worked so hard in his position, with his whole heart. I admire him in so many ways.
I'm most upset that I'm all the way up here, thousands of miles away from hugging my dad -- miles away from actually being there for him. I'm also upset that there really isn't anything I can do about it. I can't zip off a letter to the Better Business Bureau or to the Editor to expose their faulty/sleezy practices and hypocrisies. I can't even talk about the reasons why my dad has been forced out, for fear of the repercussions on him. (and I definitely don't want to make things worse for him)
My heart just hurts for him. My heart hurts for the victim's families of September 11. My heart hurts for Doug. My heart just hurts.
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MY CITY OF RUINS
by Bruce Springsteen
There's a blood red circle
On the cold dark ground
And the rain is falling down
The church door's thrown open
I can hear the organ's song
But the congregation's gone
My city of ruins
My city of ruins
Now the sweet bells of mercy
Drift through the evening trees
Young men on the corner
Like scattered leaves
The boarded up windows
The empty streets
While my brother's down on his knees
My city of ruins
My city of ruins
Come on rise up! Come on rise up!
Come on rise up! Come on rise up!
Come on rise up! Come on rise up!
Come on rise up! Come on rise up!
Now there's tears on the pillow
Darlin' where we slept
And you took my heart when you left
Without your sweet kiss
My soul is lost, my friend
Tell me how do I begin again?
My city's in ruins
My city's in ruins
Now with these hands
With these hands
With these hands
With these hands
I pray Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for the strength, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for the faith, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for your love, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for the strength, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for your love, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for the faith, Lord
With these hands
With these hands
I pray for the strength, Lord
Come on, rise up!
Come on, rise up!
It was hard being away from home today. There wasn't any special services for me to go to today -- And while flags on campus were at half-mast, it felt like any ordinary day. Which could be seen as a good thing, but I guess I was in the mood for mourning.
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Something cool happened tonight. After dropping off things to be recycled, I stopped at a local store and bought a couple of candles to light as part of my remembering a year ago. When I got home, there was a message from a good friend of mine who asked me to light a couple candles, facing the east, at 7:30EST (which is 5:30 my time). She asked me to say a prayer for the people just getting up over in the Middle East (5:30AM their time), for cooler heads and peace to prevail on this one-year anniversary of the attacks.
At 5:30, I did just that: I placed two candles on my windowsill (which faces east) along with some incense. I played some quiet music and said my prayers. It was neat, because as was praying/thinking about how life has changed in a year, I could watch the smoke rise with half of it floating away outside and half of it inside toward me. It was very calming, while a bit sad. I know how much I'm grieving right now for Doug, I can't imagine this pain multiplied by the thousands....
I've been melancholy for the past week now, first hearing the sad news, now remembering September 11.
Tonight I took a walk after my long bath. After walking a bit, only a block away from home, I looked up into the sky and saw the most amazing thing! I finally saw the Northern Lights! I've been waiting since moving up here to get a glance at them, after only reading about them or seeing them on TV. They are so beautiful. It looked like slow-motion flashes of light painting the black sky. I even glimpsed a shooting star! I walked out to a schoolfield and sat on a bench and just watched the sky for about thirty minutes.
That's how things have been going for me lately, it seems. Just when I think I'm so far down that I won't get back up, I'm reminded of the ways that the Divine is always at work in the world. Whether its sharing the joy of my friend's new baby or viewing the beauty of the aurora borealis -- its so overwhelming but very comforting at the same time.
(thanks to wil for the graphic)
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Mmmm, refrozen Wendy's frosty. It reminds me of when I was little, with my sis, and how we would make these last as long as possible! Funny, they taste the same -- whether in Canada or Georgia. :)
I've already got comments in my tutorial webpage! Looks promising. Tomorrow I need to get up extra early before class and try to get into the bookstore. This afternoon, the line was so bad it was all the way outside the building. I figure, if I get there once it opens at 8:30, I should be able to breeze in and out. I only need to buy a couple books, so it won't be terribly expensive. (which is indeed a good thing)
Its coming up on the one-year anniversary of September 11. I'm a little sad that I can't be back home in the states for the anniversary. I'm going to try to see if I can find a service or something I can attend on Wednesday up here.
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Apparently I'm not as geeky as I thought. And Ratbastard (you know who you are), you shouldn't lie on these quizzes. We ALL know you're more than 6%. ;)
My class went well today. I was so nervous, but once it got going, it went pretty well. I started out laying out the expections of the class and then had them write out their histories as writers. My first assignment was for them to check out our website and leave a comment so I'd know they'd been there. We even had a discussion and talked about qualities of good writing. It was a neat experience. I'm trying not to be too idealistic about this tutorial, but today went really well.
But it will definitely be a learning experience for me. I've got several students who HATE writing/English, some non-traditional students, and also a student from Nigeria. Its good to be getting my feet wet in this academic experience.
Tomorrow is my first official graduate-level class. Its entitled "The Cross and Thor's Hammer: The Impact of the Christian Conversion on Old Icelandic Literature". Its Dr. Harris, who taught my Chaucer course this past summer. He's a crazy old man and lots of fun. I don't know if I'm looking forward to learning Icelandic grammar (I barely have a grasp on English), but I think it'll be a neat class. My other class is on Wednesday and is called "Intellectual and Artistic Freedom: Canada/Europe/'Other' Relations". The professor for that class is the editor of the coursebook for my English 110 class I'm teaching.
Its wild to think about where I've come from and where I'm going in my academic career. I always think about when I first started working in the Writing Center at Armstrong (my undergrad institution). After only have a couple English classes, I thought that I knew *everything* there was about writing and English matters. Now that I have a degree, I feel like I know very little.
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| You are 29% geek |  | You are a geek liaison, which means you go both ways. You can hang out with normal people or you can hang out with geeks which means you often have geeks as friends and/or have a job where you have to mediate between geeks and normal people. This is an important role and one of which you should be proud. In fact, you can make a good deal of money as a translator.
Normal: Tell our geek we need him to work this weekend.
You [to Geek]: We need more than that, Scotty. You'll have to stay until you can squeeze more outta them engines!
Geek [to You]: I'm givin' her all she's got, Captain, but we need more dilithium crystals!
You [to Normal]: He wants to know if he gets overtime.
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Take the Polygeek Quiz at Thudfactor.com
So I'm only 29% geeky. Wonder if that'll go up the longer I'm in school? So now I can add to my resumé "geek liaison."
Neato.
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Doug's obituary
I really wish I could have been at the service. Somehow I don't feel like posting anything witty or uplifting right now.
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Well, I just got home from the first meeting of English 110. On Wednesdays and Fridays Dr. Lavery leads the class and on Mondays about 20 students are all mine. I'm such a geek, I've even started a website for my tutorial -- including my email, office location and hours in addition to other class information. I'm really excited at what this class, in addition to my university experience, have to offer me this year!
Dr. Lavery looks to be a really neat professor to work under. He's got a quiet demeanor but with a good sense of wit. I particularly liked how he made sure to include a section in the course syllabus on how students need to realize that academic readiness/marks are NOT the only thing to focus on in the university experience. He stressed the need for students to focus on their own physical and mental health -- avoiding too much stress in their first year. I thought it was neat how he really emphasized to the students to make the most out of their first year experiences and not to be overwhelmed.
Since hearing about Doug, I haven't felt up to updating everyone on the status of my loan/financial situation. To make an already-too-long-story short, the school was able to only take out the first term's payment -- leaving me with the rest of my disbursement (which was way more than $540). I also received another scholarship from the Prescott foundation. Its only offered to two grad students in the department, and this grad student can certainly find a home for those funds! So now I have a positive balance in my checking account -- something that I won't take for granted.
Tonight is the viewing for Doug. I'm still not used to the fact that he's gone. I was able to pull up a picture of him, I remembered that I brought up my school yearbooks. Tomorrow the service is at 11AM in Savannah. While I can't be there physically, I'll definitely be there in spirit.
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My mind still hasn't caught up with my heart on this.
I can't make myself refer to him in the past tense. I can't think about going home for Christmas this year and not seeing him, or having him give me a tall, lanky hug.
I've never lost anyone close to me before. Granted, Doug and I weren't as tight as we used to be -- growing up and apart in different towns -- but we have a history together! I remember that Easter, when I was in 3rd grade, when he spent the week with us because his parents were on a cruise. Doug, me, my sis, and my little brother all took Easter pictures togethers in front of the azaleas...Doug had an outfit on that he picked himself: bright pink shirt, white pants pulled up high, and black suspenders (a la Miami Vice!). All of us with goofy grins.
Riding bikes together and having him bump his forehead and having to get stitches.
Having him call me as soon as SNL started, and seeing how long we could stay awake and talk on the phone.
Me, Jay, and Doug all hanging out together, inseperable, from 7th grade til high school.
Camp, Sunday school, him dating my sister and my best friend(s), swimming pools, New Year's parties at his house, sparkling apple juice toasts, high school hallways...
And now that's over. No more Doug -- even as I type it, I'm not letting myself believe it.
Tonight I was on the phone for probably 2 hours or more. Calling family and friends, consoling and crying, trying to make sense of what's going on. I decided to call a close friend of ours, in North Carolina, to let her know the news. I hadn't talked to her in ages, and felt bad having to call her to tell her this news, but I knew that she needed to know.
As we're talking about this awful loss we're both feeling in our hearts, she's also telling me abut her new baby -- born only 3 days ago!! In the middle of dealing with death, we also have the joy of a brand new life. So despite the pain I've been feeling at this loss of a friend, knowing about her little girl's new life gave me a peaceful sense of comfort. It helped me to sort of put things in a perspective that I know I wouldn't have considered, this time a year ago.
Doug had a great life. He had found a job that he totally loved while finding his niche on the world. He was in love with a girl, planning on marrying her in May. He had parents, brothers, and friends that loved and admired him. Some people never have that, even if they live to be 70.
I'll always remember him, and carry him with me in my heart. He was my friend and I'll not forget.
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After coming home from a great day of school, I called my parents to let them know of my improved financial status.
My dad told me on the phone that a boy I grew up with was killed by a drunk driver this morning. The drunk bastard was going the wrong way down the highway.
Killed. He was only 23 years old.
He was getting married in May.
He had graduated from college and was working a job he loved.
He had his whole life ahead of him.
I can't even get home to his funeral on Saturday.
Somehow all the crap I've been through recently doesn't amount up to much, compared to this.
I miss you, Doug.
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Ya know, its almost funny...how Life works out.
Or student loan checks.
So I was dreading the walk to the cashier's office this afternoon...worrying that the check wouldn't be there, not processed, etc. As I'm standing in line, I'm trying to psyche myself up, just in case -- so I wouldn't be surprised at whatever happened. But, as I stand there waiting and watching...the cashier guy walks to the back, and carries back up with him that piece of paper I've been anxiously waiting on, for almost a month now. Woohoo! (I so innocently think as I sign the release...)
I walk out of the office, glance down at the amount (for reassurance, of course!)....and...wait, I glance again....
$540.00??!!!
Hmmm, $540 is heaps different than over $4000 that I *was* counting on.
Apparently it is University policy to take out the whole year's tutition with the first loan installment. This presents a problem, as my loan company expects me to only pay per term, and divides my loan amount into two disbursements. I found out that the lady in the Registrar could have opted to have my WHOLE loan amount sent to me, but instead opted for this two disbursement check deal, while knowing the University's policy on payment.
So, I have a few options....all of which are completely out of my hands. Either the University will reimburse me for the Term 2 and 3 payments, and allow me to pay per term (best option), I could try to get Sallie Mae to forward me the rest of the loan (VERY unlikely and boy-do-I-not-want-to-deal-with-them-again), OR I could just wait til December 6, when the next check is released, and have the whole amount without any fees (oh, I hope that this option doesn't happen).
Its just those pesky "living expenses" that I'm worried about the most. I've got bills that are almost 2 months overdue, books to buy, a car to finish paying off, and credit cards that are screaming for repayment. Sigh. The good news about this whole fiasco is that its getting to the point where I'm just laughing about it all.
Boy, will this adventure to Saskatchewan make a GREAT made-for-TV movie.
Tomorrow is my first day back at University -- woohoo! I'll actually be on campus and not be harrassing members of the Financial Aid/Cashier's Office. I'm in an Orientation all day, for Teaching Assistants. Yay, academia! I can't wait!!
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What kind of candy are you?
Well... T - 2 days til school starts! Actually, tomorrow is my official last day of freedom, as on Wednesday I have an all-day seminar on being a Teacher's Assistant. I'm this close to being a grad student! (and I've already got the always being broke part down pat!)
Which reminds me, tomorrow I go pick up my disbursement check for my loan, from the cashier's office. While very excited at the prospect of a positive balance, part of me can't help but be worried that something will go awry and the check won't be available. We'll see, soon enough!
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