If you see a whole thing - it seems that it's always beautiful. Planets, lives... But up close a world's all dirt and rocks. And day to day, life's a hard job, you get tired, you lose the pattern. - Ursula K. LeGuin

Monday, May 17, 2010

RBOC: Action-Packed Weekend Edition

  • Friday was graduation.  We always have two graduations on the same day--the big university-wide graduation and than a smaller graduation.  The smaller graduation used to be for our entire school (5 departments) so it wasn't that small.  This year the Powers-That-Be decided every department should host their own graduation. Personally I find this to be a poor use of resources but no one asked me.
  • The university-wide graduation was in the morning.  I didn't go.  In my department we generally take turns representing at the morning graduation and I went last year.  
  • I did attend the afternoon graduation and since it was only my department it was much smaller (and quicker) and I thought we did a very nice job hosting it.  I still think it is a bad idea but we executed it well.
  • Moments before graduation was over a note was brought down from the Dean's office and passed to my department head on the podium.  He announced that a faculty member had won the university-wide teaching award.  Then he said it was me.
  • I'm not one for surprises and this was a rather big one.
  • It is a really nice honor but, even better, it comes with a monetary award.  
  • It was a very nice way to end the semester.
  • When graduation was over I got in the car and drove 3 hours down to Pumpkin's house.  We had plans for a mother-daughter weekend.  We did a lot of fun things.  We walked along the river; found a cool antiques store; went out for drinks with one of her friends (who is also a doula--so there was a lot of childbirth talk); cooked yummy dinners and stayed up late talking.
  • By Sunday afternoon I was exhausted.  I drove the 3 hours home and met up with b to do the food shopping for the week.  After all of that all I could manage was to go out for pizza and beer.
  • This morning I had to get up early and head out to a work-related workshop.  It will run for a full two weeks of eight hour days. Today's information felt like it could have been covered in an hour. Luckily a good friend is attending with me so it wasn't all bad. 
  • Here are a few pictures from my weekend with Pumpkin:
Walking and talking

The river

Pumpkin

My favorite piece in the antique store.

7 comments:

Seeking Solace said...

Congrats on such a wonderful and awesome honor!!! Cheers to you!!!

Ianqui said...

Congrats on the award! I can imagine that would be quite a lovely surprise. (And good thing you were actually at the ceremony to receive it!)

Drax said...

!. Enough w/ the pics of your feet. 2. Cease and desist with use of the word "yummy." 3. Big time congrats!!!!

Catherine said...

Wow, congratulations--big time! That is quite the honor. (I like the antique store find too. You should buy it with some of your winnings. It would look great in a garden.)

Annie said...

Hi Brigindo,
Congratulations! A wonderful surprise. I'm sure it feels good to have your efforts recognized. The statue is great- I love the expression on the woman's face.

Maggie May said...

i love the antique store piece, and cheers to good weekends :)
ps
my veri word is bizarrely:
dongstif

ha!!!

Julie said...

Congratulations!! That is an awesome honor and one that is well deserved. I'm glad you had a chance to spend time with Pumpkin, too. It's the best way to celebrate. The piece from the antique shop is gorgeous!