It’s the end of the semester. For many reasons, I’m not too inclined to write much, not much of anything with depth or significance. In a few days I will write a reflection on the semester, goals achieved (or not), teaching practices modified for the future (or not), expectations realized (or not) about a new…
The Game of Life
In a writing class a few years ago, students were discussing the argument that many people make about poverty, that there really shouldn’t be any … that if people would “get off their lazy asses and get a job and not accept welfare,” then they could support themselves and they wouldn’t be poor. The students…
Five Good Things (Pre-semester Edition)
As I’m overwhelmed and overstressed, I need to refocus my energies. Therefore, I write a “Good Things” list (and today, this was actually hard to do): I have a daughter who amazes me everyday. OK, I always list her in a “good things” list, but she is, well, a good thing. We spoke tonight and…
Billie’s Summer Camp
This summer, I took a quilting class, scheduled a pottery throwing class, joined a book club, participated in a camera club, won one-1st and two-2nd place ribbons in a photo contest, grew vegetables and herbs, took day trips to small towns near me, practiced yoga, traveled to Florida and Louisiana, and built a bracelet holder…
Photographic Directions
I take photographs. When I was younger, I wanted to become a photographer, a photojournalist, a fashion photographer, a photographer who created art. National Geographic. Rolling Stone. Something. I wanted to take photographs. I wanted my vision of the world to be what others saw when they looked at a magazine or read a book….
Start Up Funds (the Faculty Club Secret)
When I accepted the tenure-track position that begins in a month, the Dean said I would have a certain amount of money available to me for “start up” funds. I told her “thank you!” but quietly asked friends what I was to do with “start up funds.” The reply: “you receive funds to purchase things…
Pre-Position Anxiety is a Bitch
The time before one begins a tenure-track position– the months of applications, the months of interviews, the months of campus visits– is all stressful. The entire process is long, difficult, and anxiety provoking. But this point, mid-July before a position begins in August, should be easy, relaxing, and stress free. One would think. And maybe…
The Third Stage of Life
Stage one: I survived a violent and difficult childhood yet still grew up to be creative and tenacious in what I wanted from life. I attended 18 schools in 8 years. My family lived in a several states and dozens of cities in those states. I graduated from high school without being pregnant. At 25, I…
RBOC: It’s All I can Muster
Earlier this week I realized that I’m done. I can’t do any more. I can’t. Finishing (and defending) the dissertation, conducting a national job search, teaching eight classes, handling a recurring medical issue, and dealing with the ordinary occurrences of life . . . I’m done. I can’t do any more of anything. I can’t. …
Good Things to Remember
Knowing there are seven class days left in this semester, and that’s seven too many. I need this semester to be over. But the good thing? There are only seven class days left. Feeling so very ready to move on. I want to, I need to move on today. Donating so many things…