Today I'm giving my first presentation as a Ph.D. I have to admit it feels good to have those three letters and two little dots after my name.
It's a good day.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
New Things
Two observations about my new world/home:
All Things Snow
Today it is snowing. According to the weatherpeople on the radio, we are experiencing snow "showers," in contrast to the snow "flurries" predicted for later in the week. At times it does resemble rain showers; it's whiter and fluffier, but people still use their umbrellas while walking in it. I haven't heard any other words used to describe the snow yet, but I'm sure there will be more (including dirty snow and *&^#%* snow that won't melt away - we won't go into all the Eskimo words for snow).
Right now...it's beautiful.
And I'm excited for the adventure-aspect. It's similar to when I moved to the middle of the desert and encountered warning signs on the highway proclaiming certain areas "Blowing Dust Areas," but WAY more fun. Snow in the eyes is distracting, but dust in the eyes really hurts. And again, snow is prettier.
Right now...it's beautiful.
And I'm excited for the adventure-aspect. It's similar to when I moved to the middle of the desert and encountered warning signs on the highway proclaiming certain areas "Blowing Dust Areas," but WAY more fun. Snow in the eyes is distracting, but dust in the eyes really hurts. And again, snow is prettier.
Wait! I live in a real neighborhood now!
Several weeks ago I ran into a nice brother and sister on the sidewalk while I was walking our dog. The little boy was selling popcorn for the Boy Scouts, while his sister was selling cookies for the Girl Scouts. As I signed myself up for one container of popcorn and three boxes of cookies (relatively the same price, to keep things fair), I was reminded of my many years of girl-scoutery in actual neighborhoods. What a weird realization to be on the other side of the order form.
However, all things weren't completely comparable. In this case, the children were British (from London), and they live in the house that my husband has jokingly dubbed "Tara." Ah postmodernism (or whatever you'd like to call it), where the British family lives in a home reminiscent of Southern mansions in the Northeast. When I was selling cookies, the most exotic part was delivering the cookies in our little red wagon.
Friday, October 24, 2008
WOW!
I teach from 10:10-11:00 MWF. After class this morning I received the following email (paraphrased):
Not only does this new university have an awesome library, but there are students like this! I'm not really sure what to think about this rabbit hole I've fallen down.
Dear Practicing Idealist,
I'm sorry I missed your class today, I accidentally overslept. I hope you
have a great weekend. Looking forward to class on Monday.
Sincerely,
Penitent Student
Not only does this new university have an awesome library, but there are students like this! I'm not really sure what to think about this rabbit hole I've fallen down.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Best Library System EVER!!!
I am so excited. Not only does the library at my new school deliver books to my mailbox in the office, but they stamp the books with the following message:
How cool is that?
Due Back Upon Recall or Leaving the University
How cool is that?
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Our Gendered Lives
My in-laws are currently visiting. They arrived on Sunday afternoon, and will be leaving tomorrow morning.* The time before their arrival, and their visit, has lead me to make some observations about gender in my life.
1) Before coming to visit, my mother-in-law asked my husband to tell me that I shouldn't worry about having everything spick and span, as she was not intending to bring the white gloves. Note: she did not just tell my husband, she specifically told him to tell me. This makes a certain amount of sense, since I tend to notice cleanliness more than my husband (I'm sorry honey, but we both know this is true), but instead of making me less worried it made me more worried. Additionally, it made me a bit mad that we would be held to different standards. Of course, I am judged by the state of the house, but he isn't.
2) This "righteous" anger was quelled a bit, when I realized I, too, have similar judgments. While cleaning the house, I cleaned all of the baseboards and window sills, which were quite filthy. Noticing their filth, I thought to myself, "Wow! ____ _____ sure didn't keep her house very clean." When I related this to my husband, he admitted having similar thoughts directed at the previous male owner of our house, but with regards to the yard and construction of the house. Ah - how the social construction of gender gets perpetuated. Grrr.
It is very frustrating to realize that you are part of the problem. I suppose that's the first step towards recovery. Just as with race, recognizing stereotypical beliefs in oneself is the first step to changing them. Maybe, if I work hard enough, I will not reify gender when visiting my hypothetical, future daughter-in-law. I'll just pick some other arbitrary standard to hold her to. ; )
*I should point out that I really like my in-laws. We just have very different worldviews from time to time.
1) Before coming to visit, my mother-in-law asked my husband to tell me that I shouldn't worry about having everything spick and span, as she was not intending to bring the white gloves. Note: she did not just tell my husband, she specifically told him to tell me. This makes a certain amount of sense, since I tend to notice cleanliness more than my husband (I'm sorry honey, but we both know this is true), but instead of making me less worried it made me more worried. Additionally, it made me a bit mad that we would be held to different standards. Of course, I am judged by the state of the house, but he isn't.
2) This "righteous" anger was quelled a bit, when I realized I, too, have similar judgments. While cleaning the house, I cleaned all of the baseboards and window sills, which were quite filthy. Noticing their filth, I thought to myself, "Wow! ____ _____ sure didn't keep her house very clean." When I related this to my husband, he admitted having similar thoughts directed at the previous male owner of our house, but with regards to the yard and construction of the house. Ah - how the social construction of gender gets perpetuated. Grrr.
It is very frustrating to realize that you are part of the problem. I suppose that's the first step towards recovery. Just as with race, recognizing stereotypical beliefs in oneself is the first step to changing them. Maybe, if I work hard enough, I will not reify gender when visiting my hypothetical, future daughter-in-law. I'll just pick some other arbitrary standard to hold her to. ; )
*I should point out that I really like my in-laws. We just have very different worldviews from time to time.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
I'm losing patience...
Warning: This post will include whining. I apologize in advance.
When I was in college, I once got a cold that temporarily rendered me unable to smell. It lasted for about three days, but it was a very strange sensation to try to eat without being able to smell. Food just wasn't fun, but I knew I had to eat or I would get cranky.
This time, I haven't had my voice for over a month. It has been a crazy saga, that started with out-of-whack asthma, moved on to a nasty viral infection, and is still persisting with laryngitis. On Thursday, the doctor told me that I will likely not have my voice for at least two more weeks, and even after it comes back, I should treat it tenderly for a week longer so I don't stress my vocal chords too much. Apparently, if you hurt your vocal chords you can cause a permanent laryngitis-type state.
In the meantime, I've been croaking my way along as best I can. I love the looks from salespeople who ask me how I am. They just aren't expecting me to sound like Dr. Girlfriend, as my husband likes to refer to me right now. I'm not supposed to talk any more than necessary, and I have been using a microphone when I teach my classes. My husband and I write notes to each other.
I was patient with this for the first four weeks. I told all my friends that I would catch up with them when my voice returned. Unfortunately, not talking to my friends for quite some time after moving to a new location has the side-effect of making me feel quite trapped. (I don't spend time in the department, because pretty much all I can do when talking to people is nod and smile, and that just isn't that fun.) Not talking to my friends also makes me feel like quite a shmuck. In particular, my best friend found out that she is pregnant, and I haven't been able to talk to her, except to croak, "Congratulations!" She told me to call when my voice was back - that was three weeks ago.
Anyway, I'm SO ready for this to end. I really miss my voice.
When I was in college, I once got a cold that temporarily rendered me unable to smell. It lasted for about three days, but it was a very strange sensation to try to eat without being able to smell. Food just wasn't fun, but I knew I had to eat or I would get cranky.
This time, I haven't had my voice for over a month. It has been a crazy saga, that started with out-of-whack asthma, moved on to a nasty viral infection, and is still persisting with laryngitis. On Thursday, the doctor told me that I will likely not have my voice for at least two more weeks, and even after it comes back, I should treat it tenderly for a week longer so I don't stress my vocal chords too much. Apparently, if you hurt your vocal chords you can cause a permanent laryngitis-type state.
In the meantime, I've been croaking my way along as best I can. I love the looks from salespeople who ask me how I am. They just aren't expecting me to sound like Dr. Girlfriend, as my husband likes to refer to me right now. I'm not supposed to talk any more than necessary, and I have been using a microphone when I teach my classes. My husband and I write notes to each other.
I was patient with this for the first four weeks. I told all my friends that I would catch up with them when my voice returned. Unfortunately, not talking to my friends for quite some time after moving to a new location has the side-effect of making me feel quite trapped. (I don't spend time in the department, because pretty much all I can do when talking to people is nod and smile, and that just isn't that fun.) Not talking to my friends also makes me feel like quite a shmuck. In particular, my best friend found out that she is pregnant, and I haven't been able to talk to her, except to croak, "Congratulations!" She told me to call when my voice was back - that was three weeks ago.
Anyway, I'm SO ready for this to end. I really miss my voice.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Fun Political Meme
I found this political meme over on Sassafras Junction. My own meme for my as-yet-unborn children follows. I'd love to hear yours.
How to Name Your Offspring the Palin Way!
1. your favorite sport (Track)
2. the city, no, body of water near where you grew up (Bristol)
3. the city in which or nearby you currently live (Willow)
4. cool name, of which there are not many, or, alternately, your favorite bird (Piper)
5. something out of Norse mythology, or favorite school subject (Trig)
My Meme
1. Badminton (seriously, I really like this sport, and they LOVE this sport in China, so much so that FedEx uses badminton players in its ads)
2. Lake of the Pines (this would get really old, really fast)
3. Lansing (everything's just better there)
4. Oriole (although Titmouse is a close second)
5. Frigg (not the prettiest name, but it means beloved, which is nice)
How to Name Your Offspring the Palin Way!
1. your favorite sport (Track)
2. the city, no, body of water near where you grew up (Bristol)
3. the city in which or nearby you currently live (Willow)
4. cool name, of which there are not many, or, alternately, your favorite bird (Piper)
5. something out of Norse mythology, or favorite school subject (Trig)
My Meme
1. Badminton (seriously, I really like this sport, and they LOVE this sport in China, so much so that FedEx uses badminton players in its ads)
2. Lake of the Pines (this would get really old, really fast)
3. Lansing (everything's just better there)
4. Oriole (although Titmouse is a close second)
5. Frigg (not the prettiest name, but it means beloved, which is nice)
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