Cookies & Classmates

Tomorrow is my last class with my students from this semester. Being a TA for History of Western Dress has proven to have its challenges. First of all, the history of dress doesn't do a whole lot for me -- in fact, just in the past few years have I even become remotely interested in history period. But because this course was writing intensive, I took the approach of having my students have the goal of becoming better writers throughout the semester. I challenged them when I started to see improvement. I guided those who were willing to accept the help, and lost a few through the cracks who were just looking for a "C" to fly by on. Overall I have been extremely proud of the progress that they have all made in these past 14 weeks. They are a wonderful group of students and I will miss them dearly!

I just finished baking around 4 dozen cookies for the students to enjoy tomorrow, and I'll be ordering them in Gumby's pizza. Perhaps going a a little far, but who doesn't like to have a pizza party on the last day of class? No, I can't afford it, but they deserve it. So I'll make it work!

I recently had to fight to be in the classroom during the Fall semester to be a TA for another course in our department. My advisor had hoped that I would work on a planning a convention for her, but I have my heart set on teaching and it looks like it is going to work out in my favor. Unfortunately, it caused my advisor some heartache when I told her that I would rather be in the classroom than work on her project. She spoke some words that were so harsh that I haven't been able to let them go since our altercation. She said, "You're not a teacher yet...and you have the rest of your life to teach." If I'm not a teacher, what have I been doing with my students for the past 3 years? I was so hurt by what she said that it has made me even more determined to push for staying in the classroom for the duration of my assistantships as a graduate student.

The smell of cookies in the air and the warmth of my laptop is making me sleepy. Making it past 11:00p.m. is a feat for me these days. Time for some much needed rest.

Day 1 - Let the Writing Begin

I enjoy writing. It was the only thing that I could count on when I was growing up that could keep me relaxed and my GPA over a 3.0. Somewhere in the midst of "growing up" I lost touch with creative writing. Having a full-time job then going back to graduate school turned any spare time into professional-writing-time. As much as I love to whip out a good publication every know and again, there is a part of me that is screaming to be heard, and I know that writing is the best outlet for me. So here I go, embarking on a new journey - hoping to blog everyday for at least a month and see how long I can go.

At this point the content of this blog is completely up in the air. Right now between graduate school, dating a fantastic man in the Air Force, trying to stay somewhat socially in-touch with friends, and continuing to forge ahead in my spiritual journey - it's really a crap shoot as to what the topic might be!

So here's to you and I, new blog. May you bring me peace and serenity and a place to just let it all hang out.