Note: I think this post will address the “length since last musing” question without any further explanation.
Shawn Sheehan, who was the 2016 State Teacher of the Year in Oklahoma, has often been quoted recently as saying that “Teaching in Oklahoma can feel like being in a dysfunctional relationship” (Source). I have been thinking about this a lot recently in terms of my own relationship to my chosen profession, but something happened last week that has intensified my thinking.
Filed under Education and Teaching, Personal
My goodness! I didn’t realize it had been so long since I’d posted. Bad Liz! No cookie for you!
The realization that I hadn’t checked in over here in awhile naturally begs the question of “Why?” and I have a not-great-but-understandable reason: I’ve been busy! My last post was last May, and around the first of June, my Day Job announced that our project was wrapping up, and layoffs would be on the way. This, of course, sent me into Super Panic Mode, and many, many balls were dropped while I scrambled to find another Day Job. Fortunately, I succeeded: In late July, I was hired by a local community college as an Adjunct Professor of English, and in mid-August, the same school brought me on full-time to direct their tutoring program! Tutoring is the standard 40 hours per week, and teaching is a nominal 10 hours (“nominal” because I’m teaching English Composition; no way will I get everything done in ten hours per week). So let’s see: 40+10=50, then add in the 45-minute commute each way…lemme see here…that’s about 60 hours or so per week. Whew!! No wonder I haven’t had much time or energy for blogging!
However, I just renewed my domain for another year, and (as always), that should inspire a lot more writing from me. There’s a lot going on currently that is worthy of discussion and analysis (as always), and I’ve been making some more time to read lately (which could mean book reviews might be a new feature). This all aside from the fact that I’m going to be thirty-six this year (which means I’ll have been a legal adult for exactly half my life; yes, there are plenty of mixed feelings surrounding this event).
I’m going to keep this short and sweet, so I can save my typing fingers for more interesting topics.
Filed under Personal
One of the best parts of my job is that we are allowed (and even encouraged) to listen to music while we work. Of course, I’ve listened to all sorts of albums in a variety of genres, as my tastes are somewhat eclectic, but I’ve also spent time listening to Pandora and catching up on podcasts. I’ve had trouble working and listening to spoken-word podcasts and staying focused on my work, but I’ve had fun listening to music-based shows. One of my favorites is The Irish and Celtic Music Podcast; I don’t love every song, but in the time I’ve been listening, there have been six songs that I’ve liked well enough to purchase (that doesn’t seem like a lot, but I’m really picky about what I’ll buy, since I have other recordings of many traditional tunes – how many versions of “Calliope House/The Cowboy Jig” or “She Moves Through the Fair” does one person need, after all?). Continue reading
Filed under Personal, Sociopolitical
On my last birthday, I chose a word to serve as a personal theme for the next six months (here’s a link to that post). I chose that time frame because I had some very specific things I wanted to accomplish, and I knew several of those things had deadlines near the end of the year. In addition, I knew that I tend to get reflective at both my birthday and New Year’s, and it seemed a natural time to close the “DreamCatcher” chapter of my life and begin something new, even if that new thing was less structured than the previous thing. I’m really proud to report that I caught my two biggest dreams: I finished my thesis and graduated for real, and I found a job that pays better and that I really enjoy.
I’ve decided to choose another theme for the next six months, and I’ve decided to specifically limit myself to six months again, because there are some other specific things I want to accomplish in this specific time frame. My deadlines are more self-imposed this time, but there are some external factors at play as well.
This morning (well, technically it was yesterday morning, but I just got off work not too long ago, and I haven’t slept yet, so to me it’s still today) I successfully defended my Master’s thesis. I’ve still got a couple more little things to do, but this was the last big hurdle; I’m definitely graduating this semester (basically, next week).
After I found out I passed, someone asked me how it felt to be done. I said, “Amazing!” or something of that sort, and in that moment, it was the absolute truth. After all, my current theme is “DreamCatcher,” and I’ve certainly been dreaming of this day for a long time; making it my reality is an amazing feeling.
Filed under Dreams, Education and Teaching, Personal
I consider myself to be a very lucky person most of the time, because I don’t have very many regrets in my life. There are times I could have been kinder, and I do regret those sometimes, but I try to use those feelings as reminders to be kinder next time. For the most part, though, I’m pretty good about seizing the day, telling the people in my life that I love them, and doing the best I can under the circumstances.
Despite all of this, there are one or two regrets that I have in my life.
Filed under Personal
I cleaned out my Memory Box the other night, and it was an interesting experience.
The Box itself isn’t anything special – just a medium-sized Rubbermaid container with a lid. Inside, however, are so many special things. For example, I’ve saved every card my husband has ever given me. I also have every diploma cover I’ve ever earned, my Star Trek: The Next Generation action figures, my grandmother’s felt “letter” from college (I presume it was supposed to be for a letter sweater, but she never had it sewn onto anything), some cassettes that I couldn’t bear to part with (even though I have the same albums on CD now), a bunch of ticket stubs, and a whole bunch of other things. Most (if not all) of the items do not hold much in the way of financial worth, but they are all special to me for one reason or another – reminders of people I’ve loved, places I’ve been, and the people I used to be.
Filed under Personal, Uncategorized
Today is my 34th birthday.
Wow, 34. In the words of Wil Wheaton, “I’m not going to lie to you, Marge,” it feels odd. Adult, maybe. I’m not 100% sure how I feel about it. Getting older has always been a mixed bag for me; I look forward to new beginnings (as I do at New Year’s – I’m lucky that I get to reflect twice a year, and it’s almost exactly six months apart, give or take thirteen days), but I also reflect on all that I didn’t accomplish over the previous year.
There’s a fish tank in my bathtub. It’s a pretty big fish tank – 35 gallons – and I’m so stinking excited about it, I’m almost literally beside myself. I’ve wanted a fish tank for a number of years, and I never could quite justify the expense to myself, especially since I already have a very spoiled cat. This fish tank was a gift from a new friend who is rapidly becoming a close friend, and I’m so thankful to have her in my life for a number of reasons. I don’t usually make friends easily (by now, I really hope no one is shocked or surprised by that – I’m long-winded, smart-alecky, socially awkward, socially anxious, shy, and introverted, just to name a few reasons, but I’m sure you all know that already), and she is the first real friend that I’ve made in the two and a half years that we’ve lived in Oklahoma City. So I was thankful even before she gave me this fish tank, just because I have a friend (but I am certainly super-thankful for the fish tank, too).
Filed under Personal
Surly-Ramics is awesome ceramic art you can wear!
