This past week has actually been really good. There have been a few moments that I really want to remember, either for their simplicity, or their exciting-factor, or just because they made me smile. So I'll just go ahead and document them here, so I don't forget.
Last Saturday I had dinner with my friend Shea at Bayou Bakery. We got coffee first-- I got an Irish coffee-- then we got dinner. I had mac n cheese with Parmesan and beef brisket, and cane soda. So good. We also exchanged Christmas gifts, and Shea gave me an adorable French Connection striped shirt with a heart. I love it. She really knows my style. She gave me a skirt a couple of years ago that is far and away my most worn skirt. We also had a great conversation that may have sparked a movement that will help me with the completion of my M.A. More on that later.
On Sunday, I went to church, then met up with a group of girls in my cohort for brunch at Bread & Chocolate. After brunch, we headed to a bookstore called Politics & Prose. Such a lovely place! I think I should work in a bookstore, I really do. Anyway, we went to Politics & Prose because one of the members of my cohort just published his first novel, Revolutionary, and was giving a book talk/signing. The book is based on a true story of a woman who dressed as a man and fought in the Revolutionary War. I can't wait to read it. It can be purchased here, and at most major bookstores.
Monday morning I sat on the floor of our new apartment (we still don't have furniture) and I drank tea and read Professing Literature for hours in the quiet. It was a lovely memory. Then Monday evening, I went to the Law Center for rehearsal and got to have frozen yogurt with Mike. I don't see him nearly as much as I thought I would when I moved here, so it was good to catch up.
Tuesday I gave my presentation in Medieval Lit, so I have that out of the way for the whole semester! What a weight off my shoulders! And, it was a really fun presentation. I got to research medieval material goods, and great households, and feasts! I also included a few pictures of hog butchering in my Powerpoint... what, it related to Gawain! :) I think I might want to write on Gawain for my final paper; it's nice to already feel inspired to write this final paper.
And on Tuesday elections were held for next years English Grad Student Association Board, and I am going to be next year's Social Chair! I might also be helping out with Academic Enrichment. I can't wait to get started. We have a really great group on board for next year, and our e-mail exchange has been Harry Potter flavored so far. Our first event might be a Wizard's Ball. ;)
Yesterday, we got internet/TV in our apartment! Hooray! We got all of the movie channels on a free trial, which Zan and I realized might be the death of our productivity, but it's so fun. Can't wait for the new season of Game of Thones and the beginning of Outlander this summer!!! Having the internet here is so nice, too. You don't realize how much you use it 'til it's gone. Then, when I got to campus yesterday, there were all kinds of free food in the kitchen! Don't tell, but I may have eaten three large pieces of baklava. It was just so good I couldn't help it. After finishing it off I realized I should've taken a picture of it for my "Choose Happiness" resolution. Honestly, pastry-honey-nut treats make the whole day happy.
And, yesterday, we finally had our first Tudor Theater course! Yes, finally! And I loved it! I was a little intimidated by the professor because she's such a famous scholar in the field I want to go into, but she was very funny and very engaging. I had expected to feel rather stupid in front of her, but I actually felt like I gave a good showing. We spent the seminar going over a history of the Tudor dynasty to the start of the Stuarts, from Henry VII to James I/VI, and putting the play we read, Gorboduc, into context. My favorite! I left feeling very, very excited for the course.
I also started Rosetta Stoning in earnest this past week, and I really enjoy it so far. I think they've changed the format up from when I tried the French version about eight years ago. It's far superior. I think maybe, just maybe, I actually will be able to read a children's book in Spanish by Christmas!
Happy end of January, everyone!
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
Mustn't let a little thing like 'little' stop you
So, I really, really want to see Matilda. I've only heard a couple of the songs, but they are just phenomenal. Anyone up for a trip to New York City?
Friday, January 24, 2014
Over snow by winter sown
Last night I ended up walking home from class. Some of you might sneer at my idea of winter weather, and I get that I don't live in Minnesota, but it. is. cold. here right now. The actual temperature last night was twelve degrees Fahrenheit, with northwestern winds blowing in gusts of up to twenty-eight miles per hour. But, the fastest way home was to walk, so I did. I buttoned up my coat, hoped my wool socks inside my running shoes would keep my feet warm, and pulled my faux-furry hat down low over my forehead and ears. Then I started off, down the icy hills of Georgetown and across the Key Bridge. Half-way across Key Bridge I thought, "Perhaps this was a silly idea." The path was covered with slippery, mushy snow, I could really feel the gusty wind while suspended above the river (at one point I thought, "Don't let it blow you off course!"), and my eyes physically hurt from the cold. My running shoes were too thin, but at least they have good traction. Today, too, though the sun is out, the mile I walked between our new apartment and my old felt like it went on forever. My legs burned with cold, my cheeks stung, and as I huffed up the hill I could scarcely breathe deeply enough. I longed for a cup of hot tea.
The point is, the only way I'm coping with having to walk outside so much in this bitter winter weather is by thinking of it as prep work for a great quest that I'm bound to embark upon someday. Hero(in(e))s always end up having to walk through near-lethally cold conditions at some point in the quest. I mean, the mines of Moria may be compromised, forcing me to go over the mountain, or maybe I'll have to escape from the Skaldi. Then these miles I'm walking through the city won't seem so bad at all.
The point is, the only way I'm coping with having to walk outside so much in this bitter winter weather is by thinking of it as prep work for a great quest that I'm bound to embark upon someday. Hero(in(e))s always end up having to walk through near-lethally cold conditions at some point in the quest. I mean, the mines of Moria may be compromised, forcing me to go over the mountain, or maybe I'll have to escape from the Skaldi. Then these miles I'm walking through the city won't seem so bad at all.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Blow blow thou winter wind
We've only had a few days of truly winter weather, but it's already getting to me. Snow on the ground and slipping on ice and the sky so grey and full of more snow. Snow is pretty at Christmas. Snow at Christmas glitters in the fairy lights hung on every house and on every Christmas tree. Snow and ice and grey and sleet cease to be cozy after the end of December. Nothing glitters. January feels raw. January feels vulnerable. Or maybe I'm only projecting. When the wind blows in January it does not make me think of warm fires and family gatherings and peppermint hot chocolate. When the wind blows in January it freezes my fingers and stops my breath and makes my nose run. It has not been the best of days, nor the best of weeks. Nor has it been a particularly bad day, nor a particularly bad week. In fact, many good things have happened. But for whatever reason-- the cold, tiny cuts in my dry hands and feelings, unable to feel a rhythm to my days--instead of being grateful for what I have, I see only more work to be done. But I need to warm up before the weather does. So I'll try to see the beauty in ice, but I know my heart waits for spring.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Can't Get Started
As of today, I should've met in seminar six times this semester. Instead, between snow and professor cancellations, I've met in seminar twice. Twice. One of my classes hasn't met at all yet. Is it any wonder that I'm having trouble settling into this semester? Of course, that twice doesn't mean I don't have reading to do, or short papers to write that must still be turned in, even if we don't meet. So, I'm in an odd position of feeling like the semester hasn't really started-- it has no rhythm-- and also feeling stressed out and over-busy. I'll be very grateful when (if?) things start to proceed normally.
Additionally, the weirdness of the on-again off-again semester is compounded by the fact that Zan and I finally secured an apartment and we're trying to move in. I'm incredibly excited to have our own place, but moving is stressful. We're sleeping on a (very comfortable) air mattress, we've unpacked our kitchen supplies, and we've bought new plates so we don't have to use our Mickey Mouse ones anymore. Last weekend we spent in Williamsburg going through our boxes from Seattle, and bringing up the things we needed. Yesterday was a snow day, so we really took time to try to get those boxes unpacked. But we still have no furniture, no television, no internet. Luckily, his dad's apartment is nearby, so we ate there yesterday and caught up on Parks and Rec a little bit.
I think this semester may be trying to teach me something, though. There's a lesson to be learned in cancelled classes and in self-motivation. There's the reminder that I do this because I want to-- or at least, I should be doing this because I want to. The reminder that I should take joy in what I get to read and write, not what I have to read and write. And the reminder that at the end of the day, reading or not reading, writing or not writing, will not make the world spin more easily or make the world end. There's the reminder that I am an adult-- a full-fledged adult-- and not an undergraduate who still thinks of nothing but grades. The reminder that there is so much more to my life.
Additionally, the weirdness of the on-again off-again semester is compounded by the fact that Zan and I finally secured an apartment and we're trying to move in. I'm incredibly excited to have our own place, but moving is stressful. We're sleeping on a (very comfortable) air mattress, we've unpacked our kitchen supplies, and we've bought new plates so we don't have to use our Mickey Mouse ones anymore. Last weekend we spent in Williamsburg going through our boxes from Seattle, and bringing up the things we needed. Yesterday was a snow day, so we really took time to try to get those boxes unpacked. But we still have no furniture, no television, no internet. Luckily, his dad's apartment is nearby, so we ate there yesterday and caught up on Parks and Rec a little bit.
I think this semester may be trying to teach me something, though. There's a lesson to be learned in cancelled classes and in self-motivation. There's the reminder that I do this because I want to-- or at least, I should be doing this because I want to. The reminder that I should take joy in what I get to read and write, not what I have to read and write. And the reminder that at the end of the day, reading or not reading, writing or not writing, will not make the world spin more easily or make the world end. There's the reminder that I am an adult-- a full-fledged adult-- and not an undergraduate who still thinks of nothing but grades. The reminder that there is so much more to my life.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Sunshine: Part Two
Now, I shall answer the 11 questions that Katie posed for me:
What initially inspired you to begin your blog?
I started blogging when I studied abroad in England, as a way to keep in touch with family and friends, and to record my experiences. After graduating from college, I begin to blog again in earnest for pretty much the same reason. Since we were all dispersing to cities across America-- and across the world-- I thought it might be a good way to keep in touch with people.
How has your blog evolved over time?
It's gone through periods where I tried to be a trendy blogger. But ultimately, it's just a record of who I am. It's gotten a little less personal-- a little more measured-- from those early days, though.
Please name a writer or two whom you admire. What is it about his/her/their writing that you admire?
Oh goodness. This is difficult. I admire Paulo Coelho, whose works always inspire me. He illuminates truths to me through simple stories. I am reading him in translation, though. Of course, I love Shakespeare. It seems cliched, perhaps, but his work is really, really beautiful and complex and moving and at times, hilarious. I can read it twenty, twenty-five, one hundred times and still find something new. It can still make my soul sing. That's two, but I feel like I want to go on and on... Rumi, Hemingway, Austen, Elizabeth Gilbert, Catherynne Valente, but, I have a presentation due Tuesday, and lots to do this weekend, so I'll leave it at that.
Besides blogging, what other types of writing do you like to do?
Do I like to do? Haha. Uh... well, one one level, I do really like writing academic papers. I love the way that when I begin-- when I really am into the writing-- the whole world falls away. Hours disappear as the page number grows. I don't even notice the sun setting or rising and I miss lunch and dinner and find myself at the end satisfied and ravenously hungry. I also enjoy writing letters, which I need to do more often, and I miss writing fiction, though I'm very out of practice.
How did your school experience impact your interest in writing or shape the way you define yourself as a writer?
In every way, at least when it comes to what I write besides this blog. I write like a historian. I am a product of my discipline. It's hard, now that I'm attempting an M.A. in a new discipline, to try to reconcile my past and the present that I'm trying to learn. I am trying to embrace my interdisciplinarity.
Has any response you've received on your blog made a significant impact on you?
There's no single response that I can think of, but I have made a very good friend because of this blog. Through blog comments and posts, we came to know each other. Then we became Facebook friends, and we keep up an e-mail correspondence. We've even sent each other Christmas presents and care packages! We've never met in person, but I consider her a very good friend. Maybe this summer we will finally get to meet at Comic-Con!
What kind of future do you envision for your blog?
I'm not sure... I think, at least this blog, is right where I want it to be. I hope it keeps on keeping on.
What have you learned about yourself from blogging?
I've learned that I actually have the capacity to keep something going. This blog is nearing it's fifth birthday, and I've been pretty consistent in posting! There are some months that are a bit low, but it's important to me to write here-- for my sanity, for my friends, so that I can look back and remember what I was doing and how I felt-- so I've made it a priority. It's nice to know that I have the wherewithal to keep this going without any monetary compensation or any grade incentive. It's something I do because I want to. It's nice to know I can do something for me.
How does your current life experience mirror the expectations you had when you were younger?
Ha. Uh. Well. I think I never had a clear idea of where I was going. I had it all planned-- through "Attend William and Mary." And then I did. And then I graduated. And I realized I had absolutely no plan after that. Around junior year of undergrad I decided I wanted to be a dramaturg professionally-- while that hasn't happened, I am glad to report that I've gotten to do a few dramaturgical projects and I might just keep plugging away at that. But, in all important things, it mirrors my expectations-- or even my assumptions: I have a loving family, food, clothes, shelter, everything I need. That sounds corny, but I'm very, very grateful.
How does your current life experience look different from the expectations you had when you were younger?
I suppose it looks different in that I thought by the time I was closer to thirty than to twenty I would have a house of my own, and a career-oriented job. I have neither. I do, though, starting today, have an apartment of my own (with Zan)! So moving closer to my expectations! I think I'm conflating this question with the last one... As far as career goes... I feel totally out of water. When I was very little I thought I'd be an actress; that hasn't happened, nor am I sure I would want it to. I also thought I'd be a professional writer-- that's something I would still like to do-- but now with history/biography, rather than fiction, I think. But I'm not there, obviously. I am taking career steps though: I'm presenting at two conferences this semester and working on an Apprenticeship Teaching certificate. Who knows where I might go?
When are you going to manage a return trip to Seattle to visit the most fantastic Americanized Brit you know?
MARCH! I will contact you with details, Katie, but might I stay with you and Dan? One of the two conferences I'm attending so far this year is in Seattle! So excited!!!
Ok, so now my nominees!
Laura Ayson
Amanda Lee Savage
Melissa Bailey
Kelsey Hutcheson
Mike Johnson
Megan Ammirati
And their 11 questions:
1) What inspired you to begin your blog?
2) What is your favorite part of blogging?
3) What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start blogging?
4) Who are two of your favorite writers and why?
5) What are your goals for the coming year?
6) What is your favorite way to relax?
7) What is your favorite way to exercise?
8) What inspires you to get up every day?
9) Name two of your favorite movies and why?
10) How do you see your blog evolving over time?
11) Has any response you've received on your blog made a significant impact on you?
Thank you again, Katie, for the Sunshine Award!
Monday, January 13, 2014
Sunshine: Part One
My wonderful friend Katie, who writes at My Cups of Tee, nominated me for the Sunshine Award! Katie and I met one of my first days in Seattle-- I was lucky enough to have her and her husband as next door neighbors. They are the best! During my year in Seattle, their little family grew to three, and I am so disappointed to be a country away as they expand to four. I really miss our brunches, our coffees and our talks about life, writing, and pedagogy. As Katie explains,
I have acknowledged Katie, so it's time for my eleven facts!
1) I refused to wear blue-jeans until I got to the sixth-grade. I didn't want to wear them because everyone else wore them, and I didn't want to be like everyone else.
2) My favorite American Girl doll is Felicity. I still keep her on display in my room and change her outfits for the seasons. She's currently in her hunter green riding habit.
3) I become extremely happy when I get to teach Shakespeare to students, when I get to see Shakespearean performances, or when I'm anywhere with Shakespeare cachet (London, Stratford, the Folger Library, etc.). This holds true for anything 18th century, too. So happy.
4) I love decorative tea sets-- cups, saucers, pots, spoons, the whole bit. I also love high tea.
5) Sometimes the sheer number of books I want to read paralyzes me to the point that I end up wasting hours on the internet in an attempt to sort out which books to read first. Of course, some of that time I end up on Amazon adding more and more books to my wishlist. It's a vicious cycle.
6) I really don't want to settle in the D.C. area. It's nice enough, but cost of living is ridiculous, and it doesn't give me the warm fuzzies like I've gotten from places such as London, Williamsburg, or Davis, CA.
7) I also wouldn't mind living in Orlando or L.A., if I could work with Disney/Pixar in some kind of librarian/ research capacity. Or dramaturgical capacity. Or as a Disney Princess. I'm a bit obsessed with everything Disney. I recognize its flaws, but I love it anyway. So much.
8) One of my favorite foods is risotto. Of any variety.
9) Libraries, museums, archives, and historical sites are the best. Who doesn't love to be surrounded by old documents and books full of the most interesting things? Who doesn't love to learn about material culture, and to see objects with such fascinating histories?
10) I love buying clothes. Lately, I'm very into buying only natural fibers-- like cotton and wool-- instead of polyesters and acrylics. They are more breathable and feel better on my skin. I've become a bit snobbish about checking the fabric make-up of my clothing.
11) When I was little I wanted to be an actress on Broadway (and a best-selling author, and a Disney animator...) Sometimes I still want to run off to NYC and try to make it on Broadway.
Phewww... coming up with eleven facts about myself was actually more time-consuming than I thought it would be. Since I'm running short on time, I shall break my Sunshine Award into two posts. So, coming soon: the answers to eleven questions posed to me by Katie! Plus, my own Sunshine Award nominees!!!
The Sunshine Award is a lovely
way for bloggers to recognize and celebrate each other, spreading sunshine from
blog to blog. The Sunshine Award was started
by Matt Renwick, an elementary principal in Wisconsin (@readbyexample).
Here are the rules Matt lists in his post:
1) Acknowledge the nominating blogger.
2) Share 11 random facts about yourself.
3) Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
4) List 11 bloggers. They should be bloggers you believe deserve recognition and a little blogging love.
5) Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer.
6) Let all the bloggers know they've been nominated. You may not nominate the blogger who nominated you."
1) Acknowledge the nominating blogger.
2) Share 11 random facts about yourself.
3) Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
4) List 11 bloggers. They should be bloggers you believe deserve recognition and a little blogging love.
5) Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer.
6) Let all the bloggers know they've been nominated. You may not nominate the blogger who nominated you."
I have acknowledged Katie, so it's time for my eleven facts!
1) I refused to wear blue-jeans until I got to the sixth-grade. I didn't want to wear them because everyone else wore them, and I didn't want to be like everyone else.
2) My favorite American Girl doll is Felicity. I still keep her on display in my room and change her outfits for the seasons. She's currently in her hunter green riding habit.
3) I become extremely happy when I get to teach Shakespeare to students, when I get to see Shakespearean performances, or when I'm anywhere with Shakespeare cachet (London, Stratford, the Folger Library, etc.). This holds true for anything 18th century, too. So happy.
4) I love decorative tea sets-- cups, saucers, pots, spoons, the whole bit. I also love high tea.
5) Sometimes the sheer number of books I want to read paralyzes me to the point that I end up wasting hours on the internet in an attempt to sort out which books to read first. Of course, some of that time I end up on Amazon adding more and more books to my wishlist. It's a vicious cycle.
6) I really don't want to settle in the D.C. area. It's nice enough, but cost of living is ridiculous, and it doesn't give me the warm fuzzies like I've gotten from places such as London, Williamsburg, or Davis, CA.
7) I also wouldn't mind living in Orlando or L.A., if I could work with Disney/Pixar in some kind of librarian/ research capacity. Or dramaturgical capacity. Or as a Disney Princess. I'm a bit obsessed with everything Disney. I recognize its flaws, but I love it anyway. So much.
8) One of my favorite foods is risotto. Of any variety.
9) Libraries, museums, archives, and historical sites are the best. Who doesn't love to be surrounded by old documents and books full of the most interesting things? Who doesn't love to learn about material culture, and to see objects with such fascinating histories?
10) I love buying clothes. Lately, I'm very into buying only natural fibers-- like cotton and wool-- instead of polyesters and acrylics. They are more breathable and feel better on my skin. I've become a bit snobbish about checking the fabric make-up of my clothing.
11) When I was little I wanted to be an actress on Broadway (and a best-selling author, and a Disney animator...) Sometimes I still want to run off to NYC and try to make it on Broadway.
Phewww... coming up with eleven facts about myself was actually more time-consuming than I thought it would be. Since I'm running short on time, I shall break my Sunshine Award into two posts. So, coming soon: the answers to eleven questions posed to me by Katie! Plus, my own Sunshine Award nominees!!!
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Resolutions
I didn't really think about making any resolutions at the start of the new year. It always seems somewhat contrived to me. I always have things I want to do, why should the new year be different? But in the first (nearly) two weeks of this new year, I have realized there are some things that I want to do with 2014. In all instances, they essentially amount to finding peace, or making peace with myself.
1) Go to church at least twelve times. This might sound easy to do, but I tried to do it last year and failed. I managed to go, I think, seven times. But this year, I want to go at least twelve times. Averages to just one service a month. That should definitely be manageable. Plus, going to church always calms me and makes me think-- about my life, the nature of God, the world we live in. It's almost always a good experience, especially at the Episcopal church I attend here in D.C.
2) Rosetta Stone for at least one hour, at least three times a week. For Christmas, Zan got me Rosetta Stone Spanish (Spain) and I vow to actually use it. I've installed it on my computer, but I haven't really done much with it yet. Every year it seems I have a language learning goal, and this year I want to follow through. My hope is that by next new year, I can at least read children's books in Spanish.
3) Begin yoga and/or ballet. I've been wanting to start dancing again for ages, and similarly I've been wanting to take a regular yoga class for ages. I'm not sure I'll have time to do both, but I've found both an adult ballet studio and a yoga studio nearby: I want to go to a couple of test classes of each, and then actually commit to showing up once a week for either a ballet or yoga class. It will be good exercise, a time to use my body AND my mind. I think making that time for myself will also make me feel more like a real human, with real passions and hobbies, rather than a half-human who does nothing but sit around and read for class.
4) Roadtrip. Or airplane trip. I want to get out and see the world. I feel like I've spent years cooped up in one place or another, reading for classes, and I want to take time this year to break free from that. I want to be spontaneous; I want to take side-trips and scenic routes. I want to see the landscapes of the American west again. I want to drink tea in Britain. I want to use my soon-to-be acquired Spanish in Spain. I don't know if I'll get to do all that this year, but I at least want to take one nice trip with no real plan besides see-what-I-see.
5) Choose happiness. Whether this is done by taking a picture a day of something that makes me smile (which I might) or by saying, "No, I think tonight I'll stay in and read a book for fun," or "I think I'll go see this movie by myself because I can," or "You know what? I deserve gumbo and beignets today simply because I exist," I want to choose happiness for 2014. Everyday.
1) Go to church at least twelve times. This might sound easy to do, but I tried to do it last year and failed. I managed to go, I think, seven times. But this year, I want to go at least twelve times. Averages to just one service a month. That should definitely be manageable. Plus, going to church always calms me and makes me think-- about my life, the nature of God, the world we live in. It's almost always a good experience, especially at the Episcopal church I attend here in D.C.
2) Rosetta Stone for at least one hour, at least three times a week. For Christmas, Zan got me Rosetta Stone Spanish (Spain) and I vow to actually use it. I've installed it on my computer, but I haven't really done much with it yet. Every year it seems I have a language learning goal, and this year I want to follow through. My hope is that by next new year, I can at least read children's books in Spanish.
3) Begin yoga and/or ballet. I've been wanting to start dancing again for ages, and similarly I've been wanting to take a regular yoga class for ages. I'm not sure I'll have time to do both, but I've found both an adult ballet studio and a yoga studio nearby: I want to go to a couple of test classes of each, and then actually commit to showing up once a week for either a ballet or yoga class. It will be good exercise, a time to use my body AND my mind. I think making that time for myself will also make me feel more like a real human, with real passions and hobbies, rather than a half-human who does nothing but sit around and read for class.
4) Roadtrip. Or airplane trip. I want to get out and see the world. I feel like I've spent years cooped up in one place or another, reading for classes, and I want to take time this year to break free from that. I want to be spontaneous; I want to take side-trips and scenic routes. I want to see the landscapes of the American west again. I want to drink tea in Britain. I want to use my soon-to-be acquired Spanish in Spain. I don't know if I'll get to do all that this year, but I at least want to take one nice trip with no real plan besides see-what-I-see.
5) Choose happiness. Whether this is done by taking a picture a day of something that makes me smile (which I might) or by saying, "No, I think tonight I'll stay in and read a book for fun," or "I think I'll go see this movie by myself because I can," or "You know what? I deserve gumbo and beignets today simply because I exist," I want to choose happiness for 2014. Everyday.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Remnants of Break
Today is the first day of classes!... technically. To accommodate multiple Monday holidays during the semester, the first day of classes-- though always on a Wednesday-- follows a Monday schedule. So, since I have no Monday classes, I do not have class today. Nor tomorrow, because my first class was cancelled, due to a conference this weekend. So, I am lucky, and have a few extra days to savor the sweetness of Winter Break (I have gotten a couple of reading assignments to start on, though).
I feel very grateful for these few extra days because I'm getting a cold. We've had a terrible cold snap here, with wind chill feeling like -15 degrees F a few nights ago, reaching a high of 20 degrees (felt like 8) yesterday. Brrrr... And, perhaps because of the dry air, or the stress that accompanies the beginning of a new semester, I awoke yesterday with a sore throat. Last night it turned into a runny nose, and this morning it's a bonafide cold. Thank goodness for tea. Also, thank goodness for gumbo, cafe au lait, and beignets. I tried to make lunch for myself yesterday but failed pretty miserably, so I headed up the hill (despite the cold) and feasted on some creole favorites. Yum! I really felt perfectly happy while eating that meal. And, while we're on grateful, can I just say how much I love long-johns, scarves, fuzzy quilted hats, fingerless gloves with mitten covers, knee-high stockings, and boots? They've been keeping me warm whenever I've needed to go out the past few days.
And why have I been going out? Well, The Tempest rehearsals have started! I am very, very excited about this one! On Monday we had a read-through with the full cast, then yesterday was the cast's "dramaturgy" day. We had them in three separate time slots of an hour each, so I gave a condensed version of my Shakespeare lecture three separate times, and I had a blast! I love talking Shakespeare. Each hour, I spent about thirty minutes of a brief history early modern theater/Billy Shakes, then the directors and I worked on scansion with the groupings and answered questions. The evening flew! So much fun. I wish this were my real, paying, every-day job. Who doesn't love to teach the wonders of Shakespeare?
I feel very grateful for these few extra days because I'm getting a cold. We've had a terrible cold snap here, with wind chill feeling like -15 degrees F a few nights ago, reaching a high of 20 degrees (felt like 8) yesterday. Brrrr... And, perhaps because of the dry air, or the stress that accompanies the beginning of a new semester, I awoke yesterday with a sore throat. Last night it turned into a runny nose, and this morning it's a bonafide cold. Thank goodness for tea. Also, thank goodness for gumbo, cafe au lait, and beignets. I tried to make lunch for myself yesterday but failed pretty miserably, so I headed up the hill (despite the cold) and feasted on some creole favorites. Yum! I really felt perfectly happy while eating that meal. And, while we're on grateful, can I just say how much I love long-johns, scarves, fuzzy quilted hats, fingerless gloves with mitten covers, knee-high stockings, and boots? They've been keeping me warm whenever I've needed to go out the past few days.
And why have I been going out? Well, The Tempest rehearsals have started! I am very, very excited about this one! On Monday we had a read-through with the full cast, then yesterday was the cast's "dramaturgy" day. We had them in three separate time slots of an hour each, so I gave a condensed version of my Shakespeare lecture three separate times, and I had a blast! I love talking Shakespeare. Each hour, I spent about thirty minutes of a brief history early modern theater/Billy Shakes, then the directors and I worked on scansion with the groupings and answered questions. The evening flew! So much fun. I wish this were my real, paying, every-day job. Who doesn't love to teach the wonders of Shakespeare?
Sunday, January 5, 2014
The Swing of Things
Break is nearing an end, and everyone is asking me if I'm ready to get back into the swing of things. Honestly, I'm not. Once I've established a routine I'll probably be quite happy, but the first couple of weeks back are always hard. Luckily, this semester I think I will be able to establish a routine: my classes are the same time each day, and I have long weekends. I'm hoping to actually do some things, besides classes. I want to start taking a weekly or twice-weekly yoga class. I want to spend time working with the Rosetta Stone I got for Christmas. I want to be able to cook healthy (or not so healthy) meals at home at least three times a week. And, I think I'll be blogging about cooking those meals on a new blog that my friend Emily and I plan to launch soon. I'll keep you posted.
The thing is, right now I feel like I'd be very happy staying home, drinking tea (either hot or sweet iced), and watching HGTV shows for the rest of my life. I'm kind of burned out on things like "thinking," "academic reading," and "paper writing." I need to find my motivation again. On the bright side, I think I'm going to have some very interesting classes this semester that will challenge me with new ideas and some great reading. Plus, I already have a conference to present at, and there's a trip to Disney World in my near-ish future! The new year looks promising: I hope I can make the most of that promise.
Once I manage to get back into the swing of things.
The thing is, right now I feel like I'd be very happy staying home, drinking tea (either hot or sweet iced), and watching HGTV shows for the rest of my life. I'm kind of burned out on things like "thinking," "academic reading," and "paper writing." I need to find my motivation again. On the bright side, I think I'm going to have some very interesting classes this semester that will challenge me with new ideas and some great reading. Plus, I already have a conference to present at, and there's a trip to Disney World in my near-ish future! The new year looks promising: I hope I can make the most of that promise.
Once I manage to get back into the swing of things.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Happy New Year!
Hello, 2014! I hope everyone had a lovely time ringing in the new year last night. Zan and I kept it low-key. We put on our PJs early and we watched an episode of Parks and Rec. Then we had a really good fettuccine dinner with his parents, watched the Doctor Who Christmas Special, and played a Shakespeare board game. At midnight, we watched the ball drop on television as we popped confetti crackers, kissed, and toasted with champagne. We also wore "Happy New Year" crowns.
The first day of the year has been nice, so far, too. I slept in later than I have in a very long time (9:15 AM!). Even though we had no big New Years brunch, as we've done in past years, Zan's mom still made her very delicious pecan-blueberry French toast casserole, scrambled eggs, and bacon. We toasted the new year again, this time with tea and orange juice. Then we tried to finish up our Shakespeare board game, and Zan and I went to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. And really, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! I liked it much better than the first one!
Planning for another low-key night, with dinner by a fire, then perhaps some reading for fun-- I got so many books for Christmas that I'm just itching to dig into. Then tomorrow, I suppose, it will be time to head back to work on actor packets, cleaning, and organizing for the start of classes. Or maybe I'll get a wild hair and go on a roadtrip! One never knows. And that's kind of the fun thing about tomorrow, all our tomorrows. Who knows what they might bring?
Happy New Year!
The first day of the year has been nice, so far, too. I slept in later than I have in a very long time (9:15 AM!). Even though we had no big New Years brunch, as we've done in past years, Zan's mom still made her very delicious pecan-blueberry French toast casserole, scrambled eggs, and bacon. We toasted the new year again, this time with tea and orange juice. Then we tried to finish up our Shakespeare board game, and Zan and I went to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. And really, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! I liked it much better than the first one!
Planning for another low-key night, with dinner by a fire, then perhaps some reading for fun-- I got so many books for Christmas that I'm just itching to dig into. Then tomorrow, I suppose, it will be time to head back to work on actor packets, cleaning, and organizing for the start of classes. Or maybe I'll get a wild hair and go on a roadtrip! One never knows. And that's kind of the fun thing about tomorrow, all our tomorrows. Who knows what they might bring?
Happy New Year!
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