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

Thursday, December 2, 2010

RBOC: End of the Semester is Here Edition

  • I taught my last two classes today.  All I've been doing for the last two weeks is listening to presentations but it is still nice to know that I don't have to be in a classroom again for over a month.
  • One of my undergrads gave me a hug today after she handed in her final exam.  They've been a great group and I'm going to miss them. 
  • I do have grading to do but I assign my heaviest stuff mid-semester so it really won't be that bad.
  • I thought life would get easier now that coursework has slowed down but, alas, that is not the case.  I'm on a search committee for 3 open positions and there are a lot of applicants (and most of them are really good).
  • We have also moved our deadline for doctoral applications up to December 1st.  I am happy to say that this has resulted in a much larger number of viable candidates.  However I think it also means we have to pick quick and woo the good ones into the program.  My work is cut out for me. 
  • I have also taken on another doula client.  I know I swore to take some time off but this young mother-to-be (and grandmom-to-be) are right up my alley.  I met with them the other day and was smitten.
  • Did I mention that I have two new research projects starting up next semester?  I'm training one student research team tomorrow afternoon and the other doesn't even have a team yet (although I did manage to submit the IRB application today).
  • The spring semester is going to be messy.  I give you all permission to call hooey when I'm complaining in a few months.  It is all my own fault. 
  • Now that Thanksgiving is over, b is allowed to play Christmas music.  He has already starting shopping (I haven't even come up with a list yet) and we'll be doing some decorating this weekend.
  • My last doula client is going to be in a local production of A Christmas Carol (our favorite) and has given us free tickets.  We are very excited.
  • There's something going around the blogosphere called #Reverb10.  At least three bloggers I follow are playing along.  Sounds like fun but I really can't commit to daily blogging right now. 
  • The first prompt was to pick one word that captured 2010 for you and one that captures your hope for 2011.  I hate these types of prompts.  I'm not a one word kind of person.  I rarely have favorites.  I need at least a list of 15 for just about any question.
  • Today's prompt was what keeps you from writing.  Honestly, nothing keeps me from writing. I love to write.  Nonwriting work sometimes keeps me from writing but much of it is stuff that will eventually fuel writing.  
  • Reading and writing, in some form or another, is what I do on a daily basis.  This is why, no matter how much office politics, service assignments or even students can annoy me, I never want to be doing anything other than what I do.

2 comments:

Annie said...

Hi Brigindo,
I always feel invigorated when I read about all you do; because, despite any "whining" you love what you do, and it's great you always manage to work in reading and writing (and exercise). If you ever need a reader for your poetry, I'd love to read more of your work, and any fiction you've written.

Julie said...

I second what Annie says. "Invigorate" is a great way to describe it. When I read about what you're up to, it often makes my head spin (ha), but it always invigorates me...and inspires me to keep working harder.

I doubt I'll ever call "hooey," because I'm the biggest whiner in the world:)

Your last sentence is fantastic. That's what it's all about. I hope you have a great break with your family.