Hi [Director of Publications],
It's not an exaggeration to say I stomped into my apartment building this evening. Stressful week at work has tapped into my insecurities and stuff this afternoon had pushed me over the edge. I unlocked my mailbox and there's a magazine in plastic. All of my other subscriptions have arrived in the past week, so I start grumbling to myself about [college alumni magazine] being wrapped in plastic. And why would my college be so environmentally unfriendly. And that's about as far as I got, before actually getting it out of the box and seeing that it's wrapped with the 2011 calendar.
Audible gasp. Yay! Thank you for bringing the calendar back!
I haven't even looked at it yet. But it's already made my evening better.
Thank you!
~~~
Nothing to do with the midterm elections. I'm not even sure it's stress about my Presentation. Everything to do with the stress of school. Playing on my insecurities. Apparently I'm not doing well at expressing myself clearly this term.
Somehow it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one overwhelmed right now.
Also, helpful to have a cohort who knows me well enough to call me while I'm in class and leave a voicemail telling me that I'm awesome. (Thanks!)
Showing posts with label college. Show all posts
Showing posts with label college. Show all posts
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Puddles on a Clear Day
Though here's proof that water was involved (for part of the day).
Some days I marvel at how much I've changed.
This evening's been a reflection at how much some things stay the same.
Listened to the new Belle and Sebastian album. (Thanks NPR!) Flashback to junior year. Writing a paper for Annette. Listening to their live concert as it streamed on NPR's website. Driving to the coast to talk to my parents' friend about her career. Hanging out with D. It's been a while since I listened to them on repeat. I didn't realize how much I still liked them.
I've listened to Ghost of Rockschool over 5 times now. (Probably over 10 times. It ends and I click over and start it again.) I'm pretty positive the song would have been my favorite five years ago too.
Some days I marvel at how much I've changed.
This evening's been a reflection at how much some things stay the same.
Listened to the new Belle and Sebastian album. (Thanks NPR!) Flashback to junior year. Writing a paper for Annette. Listening to their live concert as it streamed on NPR's website. Driving to the coast to talk to my parents' friend about her career. Hanging out with D. It's been a while since I listened to them on repeat. I didn't realize how much I still liked them.
I've listened to Ghost of Rockschool over 5 times now. (Probably over 10 times. It ends and I click over and start it again.) I'm pretty positive the song would have been my favorite five years ago too.
I've seen God in the sun
I've seen God in the street
God before bed and the promise of sleep
God in the puddles and the la-de-sum-eise
I've seen God shining up from her reflection
Feet are mine
The car is someone else's
Both photographed this afternoon
The car is someone else's
Both photographed this afternoon
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Breathe out
The mother I was fearing didn't show up at family night.
See, I'm failing her daughter. By that I mean both that her daughter's grade in my class is a solid "F" and that there is something that I am not doing as a teacher. At least she's not learning.
I was all prepared, had the grade reports for everyone printed out so that I could show you point by point what assignments were contributing to your grade. But before we got to that we'd review your attendance. Because, with 13 absences and another dozen or so tardies since January, well, do you think you should be passing? But mom's been angry as the grade has dropped from a C to a D to a D- to a high F. I was dreading her.
Instead I got to talk with the families of four of my favorite students. Many who want to know what they can do to bring their grade up more. (Well, at least if 50% is many.) Parent night was actually kind of fun. Wow.
A head's up. I may not be blogging as much here in the next few weeks. I agreed to post on a blog for a class at my college and am trying to get my other blog updated some more. The class blog is locked (at my request, and maybe the request of some other alumni) but if you actually know me and want the address to the teacher blog, comment to give me a head's up or just send me an e-mail.
See, I'm failing her daughter. By that I mean both that her daughter's grade in my class is a solid "F" and that there is something that I am not doing as a teacher. At least she's not learning.
I was all prepared, had the grade reports for everyone printed out so that I could show you point by point what assignments were contributing to your grade. But before we got to that we'd review your attendance. Because, with 13 absences and another dozen or so tardies since January, well, do you think you should be passing? But mom's been angry as the grade has dropped from a C to a D to a D- to a high F. I was dreading her.
Instead I got to talk with the families of four of my favorite students. Many who want to know what they can do to bring their grade up more. (Well, at least if 50% is many.) Parent night was actually kind of fun. Wow.
A head's up. I may not be blogging as much here in the next few weeks. I agreed to post on a blog for a class at my college and am trying to get my other blog updated some more. The class blog is locked (at my request, and maybe the request of some other alumni) but if you actually know me and want the address to the teacher blog, comment to give me a head's up or just send me an e-mail.
Monday, February 18, 2008
I shouldn't overanalyze friendships...
The ski trip this weekend was great. I can tell that my ability is on an exponential curve. (Well actually, the graph is probably more logarithmic....but people don't use that terminology colloquially and I'm at the beginning where you improve by leaps and bounds.) I'm sure being on the slopes three days in one week helped.
The highlight was spending time with some of the other people in my organization. I don't hang out with them much. This weekend, I was reminded that the reason for that is because I don't like hanging out in large groups. I really like the people and they like me. (I was told as much several times.) The reminder that there are people here who I want to know better is reassuring.
In another sector of life, I found out from my sister that my college is canceling its orientation trip program. The basic reason given is that not all of the incoming students who wanted to go on the trip were able to (this year 40 students were waitlisted). That the students who go on the trips have friends before the mandatory for all orientation and the students who don't go on trips feel left out.
If you knew me in college, you can imagine that my reaction is visceral. If you didn't know me then, suffice to say that I went on the service trip for four years. Two of my best friends were in my room (of four) my freshman year. I feel like at least half of my friendships were influenced by the trip, whether or not people went on it. (For example, I think of one friend on the trip who then hung out on my freshman floor. And her roommate who came with her. And the way that then her roommate ended up living with people from my freshman floor. I don't know if that group of friends would exist if not for the trip. See what I mean about how I shouldn't overanalyze friendships?)
My mom observed that one of the things I'm dealing with this year is how community is formed. I don't think my organization does a good job of formally building community. There are second-years who I still don't really know. So the idea of my college getting rid of something that works (and that really worked for me) is infuriating.
I think for me there's also a sense of this is a frustration that I can direct, can do something about. There's so much in systems here that I can't influence, I want to exploit the system that I can.
I've written my "strongly worded letter" to be sent to appropriate Deans and campus life coordinators. (It does need to be revised before I send it. For some reason I suspect I should cut lines like, "Canceling the trips is STUPID. DUMB. And a little bit crazy."
If you went to college with me and have the time, I'd love for you to work the system too. Whether you went on a trip or not (maybe especially if you didn't), consider writing a letter of your own. If you need information (newspaper articles or senate minutes), feel free to e-mail me. Even though we won't be going on these trips again, it's one of the traditions that I think should be passed on to future students at out school.
That is all. For now. Maybe.
The highlight was spending time with some of the other people in my organization. I don't hang out with them much. This weekend, I was reminded that the reason for that is because I don't like hanging out in large groups. I really like the people and they like me. (I was told as much several times.) The reminder that there are people here who I want to know better is reassuring.
In another sector of life, I found out from my sister that my college is canceling its orientation trip program. The basic reason given is that not all of the incoming students who wanted to go on the trip were able to (this year 40 students were waitlisted). That the students who go on the trips have friends before the mandatory for all orientation and the students who don't go on trips feel left out.
If you knew me in college, you can imagine that my reaction is visceral. If you didn't know me then, suffice to say that I went on the service trip for four years. Two of my best friends were in my room (of four) my freshman year. I feel like at least half of my friendships were influenced by the trip, whether or not people went on it. (For example, I think of one friend on the trip who then hung out on my freshman floor. And her roommate who came with her. And the way that then her roommate ended up living with people from my freshman floor. I don't know if that group of friends would exist if not for the trip. See what I mean about how I shouldn't overanalyze friendships?)
My mom observed that one of the things I'm dealing with this year is how community is formed. I don't think my organization does a good job of formally building community. There are second-years who I still don't really know. So the idea of my college getting rid of something that works (and that really worked for me) is infuriating.
I think for me there's also a sense of this is a frustration that I can direct, can do something about. There's so much in systems here that I can't influence, I want to exploit the system that I can.
I've written my "strongly worded letter" to be sent to appropriate Deans and campus life coordinators. (It does need to be revised before I send it. For some reason I suspect I should cut lines like, "Canceling the trips is STUPID. DUMB. And a little bit crazy."
If you went to college with me and have the time, I'd love for you to work the system too. Whether you went on a trip or not (maybe especially if you didn't), consider writing a letter of your own. If you need information (newspaper articles or senate minutes), feel free to e-mail me. Even though we won't be going on these trips again, it's one of the traditions that I think should be passed on to future students at out school.
That is all. For now. Maybe.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Thunder's coming
Sometimes I'm in awe of how much people actually pay attention to what I say.
I just received an e-mail from one of the people in college relations. He remembered that in one of our conversations (mostly just chit-chat type things) I mentioned that I'd be gone next week. Silly job training. Was wondering if I would be missing Commencement rehearsal, which is apparently where graduates pick up free tickets for the post-ceremony picnic. He could just put mine in my mailbox.
I replied that I should be back in time (getting in late the night before) but I'd call in mild panic if that fell through. 2 minutes later I get a reply telling me not to panic, but just call if necessary.
I'm really impressed that he figured out that I might not be here and followed through. And the reply was just fun.
I think the thunder part of the storm's over, but the rain's still here. Wonder what part of my own whirlwind I'm in....
I just received an e-mail from one of the people in college relations. He remembered that in one of our conversations (mostly just chit-chat type things) I mentioned that I'd be gone next week. Silly job training. Was wondering if I would be missing Commencement rehearsal, which is apparently where graduates pick up free tickets for the post-ceremony picnic. He could just put mine in my mailbox.
I replied that I should be back in time (getting in late the night before) but I'd call in mild panic if that fell through. 2 minutes later I get a reply telling me not to panic, but just call if necessary.
I'm really impressed that he figured out that I might not be here and followed through. And the reply was just fun.
I think the thunder part of the storm's over, but the rain's still here. Wonder what part of my own whirlwind I'm in....
Monday, May 28, 2007
count down continues
It's amazing how much I keep discovering about this place. Like how I've got a new favorite study spot. Not that I'll use it for more than the week before college ends, but it's nice for now.
So I'm sitting here, working on those final assignments. Staring out the window (it's got a great view, especially for people watching). I wonder how much people are aware they're in public.
I mean, you're sitting outside in the middle of campus. Under a tree with a friend. If no one's walking by on the sidewalk it's easy to feel alone. But really, I'm up here looking at you. Wondering what you're talking about. If there's any romance going on. And how is it that you're not getting too cold?
So I'm sitting here, working on those final assignments. Staring out the window (it's got a great view, especially for people watching). I wonder how much people are aware they're in public.
I mean, you're sitting outside in the middle of campus. Under a tree with a friend. If no one's walking by on the sidewalk it's easy to feel alone. But really, I'm up here looking at you. Wondering what you're talking about. If there's any romance going on. And how is it that you're not getting too cold?
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