I went to the arboretum yesterday, and took a few photos. I have linked to them over on the right, but be warned, there are a lot of photos there. I will be cleaning them up a little over the next while, but there will always be lots of photos there. Everywhere I looked, something was blooming, the range of color was overwhelming. The roses were gorgeous, but I think my favorite were the various kinds of mountain laurel. It is a great place to go and spend a few hours and de-stress a wee bit.
Today I go to the library to return some books, and pick some others up. I have not yet decided if I will walk there or back or not at all. It will be warm today, so if I decide to walk there, I need to do it in the morning I suppose. It might be worth doing the walk, but I will have to think about it.
I have cleaned my bathroom (floors are clean enough to eat off of, though that is a rather gross thought), my bedroom looks neater (just don't look into my closet), and my desk/office is ordered. I can now begin the process of messing things up once again.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
May 4
I submitted (electronically) my final essay for my first year yesterday afternoon at 4:55. I am reasonably pleased with the essay,given the amount of time I spent on it, and the amount of research I did. I would recommend the short stories of Charles Chesnutt to anyone who likes (as one student in my comp class said) old-timey stories.
I find it easier to write about my personal year than evaluate my educational year. I had a few disappointing courses this last year, and a few disappointing teachers. I learned a fair amount, I suppose, but it has not been everything I had hoped. It just occurred to me that part of what has pulled me back to photography this past term has been my disappointment with the courses I was taking. The only course I really enjoyed was the African American Literature course. The others had problems that I could not get over, and that made them much harder for me to work with. I find that I am less patient with things, if I feel something is a waste of my time, it is hard for me to do the reading/writing necessary.
What was good about the year? I think my poetry has improved, though I am not the best judge of my own work. I learned a great deal about various genres about which I was totally ignorant a year ago. I learned a great deal about teaching, though I still have a lot more to learn. I found I could stand in front of a group of people and not die from their scrutiny. I feel less out of place in the classes I am a part of, and more and more I feel less stupid than I used to. Though I must admit that I find I am easily intimidated by the intelligence that is present in the classes.
Overall, I think the year has been as success. I am pleased with where I am now intellectually, and ready to take the next step.
My plan for today is simple, though it has not gone as I had hoped so far. I had originally planned on sleeping until six, but I woke at three-thirty and could not get back to sleep. I will definitely be napping this afternoon. Any way, I will be cleaning my bedroom/bathroom/office this afternoon. And no, I won't clean yours for you. Tomorrow I think I will head off to the arboretum, and Wednesday I will go down to the farmers market. Either this week or next I will go to Durham and visit the Duke Gardens.
I have some mail I need to respond to, I have been rather delinquent in that. I am going to start the day with a long walk and pancakes when I return. Sounds good?
I find it easier to write about my personal year than evaluate my educational year. I had a few disappointing courses this last year, and a few disappointing teachers. I learned a fair amount, I suppose, but it has not been everything I had hoped. It just occurred to me that part of what has pulled me back to photography this past term has been my disappointment with the courses I was taking. The only course I really enjoyed was the African American Literature course. The others had problems that I could not get over, and that made them much harder for me to work with. I find that I am less patient with things, if I feel something is a waste of my time, it is hard for me to do the reading/writing necessary.
What was good about the year? I think my poetry has improved, though I am not the best judge of my own work. I learned a great deal about various genres about which I was totally ignorant a year ago. I learned a great deal about teaching, though I still have a lot more to learn. I found I could stand in front of a group of people and not die from their scrutiny. I feel less out of place in the classes I am a part of, and more and more I feel less stupid than I used to. Though I must admit that I find I am easily intimidated by the intelligence that is present in the classes.
Overall, I think the year has been as success. I am pleased with where I am now intellectually, and ready to take the next step.
My plan for today is simple, though it has not gone as I had hoped so far. I had originally planned on sleeping until six, but I woke at three-thirty and could not get back to sleep. I will definitely be napping this afternoon. Any way, I will be cleaning my bedroom/bathroom/office this afternoon. And no, I won't clean yours for you. Tomorrow I think I will head off to the arboretum, and Wednesday I will go down to the farmers market. Either this week or next I will go to Durham and visit the Duke Gardens.
I have some mail I need to respond to, I have been rather delinquent in that. I am going to start the day with a long walk and pancakes when I return. Sounds good?
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
One Year
A year ago, at this time I was sleeping fitfully, stressed about what was to come. Actually, I might have been up getting ready to leave the hotel.
Differences between today and a year ago: It is colder today (forecast says 69, last year was 93 or 94). There are more flowers around (the magnolia should be blooming soon. I walked by one Friday and it is heavy with buds). I am hiding in my office writing an essay rather than traveling across North America. I think I would rather be traveling than writing the essay. I know which way is north.
The biggest changes are actually more subtle. Knowing which way is north is part of my acclimation process, though I suspect I would still get confused if I were to head off to Chapel Hill again. I don't feel so out of place here now, the first few months I felt totally alien. Seeing the NC license plates looks natural now, and no longer creates a sense of dislocation. The reminders in signs on trucks and buses, and bulletin boards has also become natural. The thick southern accents, the changing accents still stand out, though that is in part due to my being in an area that is very cosmopolitan, and there is a great variety of different accents here. The heavy green that comes from plant life is still assaultive, but I enjoy the abuse. This spring has been so much prettier than last (a late, heavy frost hurt many of the flowers last year I think), in part because I have watched it through the whole season. I remember how shocked I was coming from the naked grays of Alberta to the green here, how strange and unreal it all felt. Now, as I look at images from the north, I think how strange it would be to see so little green. Even in the midst of January there was a lot of green from the magnolias and holly and pines.
The changes I have experienced over the last year are harder to identify and write about. I have done some things, casually, that I could not have done in the past. Other things I have known as I was doing them that they were extraordinary for me, but I was still doing them. Some things I had not thought I could do, yet I did them without too much trouble. That is a bit ambiguous I suppose, but it is hard to define the changes that have occurred when they have been so gradual in many cases. I am different today than I was a year ago, and not just because I know which way is north. I have acquired a deep affection for the startling blue skies, the multi-hued greens that are everywhere, and the warm weather (even in winter).
I have changed over this past year, I suppose. But it is hard to identify those changes. I am comfortable in my current location, though I miss my family at times. It will be interesting to see how I feel in a year.
Differences between today and a year ago: It is colder today (forecast says 69, last year was 93 or 94). There are more flowers around (the magnolia should be blooming soon. I walked by one Friday and it is heavy with buds). I am hiding in my office writing an essay rather than traveling across North America. I think I would rather be traveling than writing the essay. I know which way is north.
The biggest changes are actually more subtle. Knowing which way is north is part of my acclimation process, though I suspect I would still get confused if I were to head off to Chapel Hill again. I don't feel so out of place here now, the first few months I felt totally alien. Seeing the NC license plates looks natural now, and no longer creates a sense of dislocation. The reminders in signs on trucks and buses, and bulletin boards has also become natural. The thick southern accents, the changing accents still stand out, though that is in part due to my being in an area that is very cosmopolitan, and there is a great variety of different accents here. The heavy green that comes from plant life is still assaultive, but I enjoy the abuse. This spring has been so much prettier than last (a late, heavy frost hurt many of the flowers last year I think), in part because I have watched it through the whole season. I remember how shocked I was coming from the naked grays of Alberta to the green here, how strange and unreal it all felt. Now, as I look at images from the north, I think how strange it would be to see so little green. Even in the midst of January there was a lot of green from the magnolias and holly and pines.
The changes I have experienced over the last year are harder to identify and write about. I have done some things, casually, that I could not have done in the past. Other things I have known as I was doing them that they were extraordinary for me, but I was still doing them. Some things I had not thought I could do, yet I did them without too much trouble. That is a bit ambiguous I suppose, but it is hard to define the changes that have occurred when they have been so gradual in many cases. I am different today than I was a year ago, and not just because I know which way is north. I have acquired a deep affection for the startling blue skies, the multi-hued greens that are everywhere, and the warm weather (even in winter).
I have changed over this past year, I suppose. But it is hard to identify those changes. I am comfortable in my current location, though I miss my family at times. It will be interesting to see how I feel in a year.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tuesday, April 29
One day away from a year hear!
This is going to be a long day, but it will be a relatively stress free day. I like that. I will be spending the day watching and listening to what class mates and undergrads have to say.
I handed in one essay yesterday, and that leaves me with one more due Saturday. Four days to write it up. I have my research done, I just need to do the writing now. I have most of Wednesday, and all of Thursday to Saturday to work on it. I am really looking forward to the end of the semester.
I was thinking as I went into school yesterday that part of what has bothered me this term is the restrictions on what I can read/explore within each class. The limitations of genre reading chaff. Being required to read something, even if it fails to grab one within the first chapter, is irksome. I would like to be able to go into a class, say that this text failed to work, say why I set it down, and not be penalized for doing so. I did read some great texts in the one class however. It was also the more challenging of the three intellectually as well.
We had a great rain over the weekend, I think we received around two inches. Hopefully, this wetness will allow for some great seasonal vegetable and fruits this summer. I am looking forward to some local peaches. Last years crop was destroyed by a late frost.
One day, huh?
This is going to be a long day, but it will be a relatively stress free day. I like that. I will be spending the day watching and listening to what class mates and undergrads have to say.
I handed in one essay yesterday, and that leaves me with one more due Saturday. Four days to write it up. I have my research done, I just need to do the writing now. I have most of Wednesday, and all of Thursday to Saturday to work on it. I am really looking forward to the end of the semester.
I was thinking as I went into school yesterday that part of what has bothered me this term is the restrictions on what I can read/explore within each class. The limitations of genre reading chaff. Being required to read something, even if it fails to grab one within the first chapter, is irksome. I would like to be able to go into a class, say that this text failed to work, say why I set it down, and not be penalized for doing so. I did read some great texts in the one class however. It was also the more challenging of the three intellectually as well.
We had a great rain over the weekend, I think we received around two inches. Hopefully, this wetness will allow for some great seasonal vegetable and fruits this summer. I am looking forward to some local peaches. Last years crop was destroyed by a late frost.
One day, huh?
Friday, April 25, 2008
April 25
I am sitting on my back deck listening to the birds mumble and complain about the coming dawn. Or they may be baby birds begging for food. The cheeping and chirping is quite loud. It is warm (high 50's)and going warmer today (84). It feels wonderful to be able to sit outside again, sipping my coffee, and relaxing before the day really begins.
My week has gone better than expected. One paper had the due date bumped forward to Monday, so I have the weekend to slave on it. I spent Wednesday fussing and writing a presentation for Thursday morning, even though I knew I would likely not have to present if I did not wish to. To determine speaking order, we drew lots, and I drew #5. That would have been high enough to push me into next week before I had to present. The man sitting next to me drew #1, but was reluctant to go first, so I offered to exchange with him. Shocking, huh? What makes this even more impressive in my eyes is that I went first in Wednesday night's class as well. That was a shorter presentation, but it was still a presentation.
To celebrate I walked home from school. It was a wonderful afternoon, mid-seventies, lots of sun, and a light breeze. Nearly perfect weather. After supper I also went for a walk (link to photos of lots of green stuff on the right), so I had two great walks yesterday, and that has helped my stress levels a great deal.
This morning I am strolling down to the library for some books, and then I have to sequester myself in my office and work on an essay. I hope to be able to get another evening walk, but that will depend on how things go today. My current goal is to finish a rough draft of this paper by Saturday evening, and spend Sunday polishing it. I can then turn it in Monday sometime, and move onto the next paper. I will need a rough draft of that paper done by Thursday, and that will give me Friday and Saturday to do the polish/edit. Tuesday will be a shot day. I have to go to school and listen to my classmates do their presentations (though that should be interesting). I can relax and enjoy them as I have finished mine! :) In the afternoon I will go to the comp class I was a part of, and listen to the groups there do their presentations. I am excited to see what they have done with their projects.
Wednesday is my one year in America anniversary. It has been a fast year. I suppose I should think about what has changed for me in that year.
Saturday I will have completed my first year of the MFA program, and I suppose I should think about what that means as well.
It is a beautiful morning.
My week has gone better than expected. One paper had the due date bumped forward to Monday, so I have the weekend to slave on it. I spent Wednesday fussing and writing a presentation for Thursday morning, even though I knew I would likely not have to present if I did not wish to. To determine speaking order, we drew lots, and I drew #5. That would have been high enough to push me into next week before I had to present. The man sitting next to me drew #1, but was reluctant to go first, so I offered to exchange with him. Shocking, huh? What makes this even more impressive in my eyes is that I went first in Wednesday night's class as well. That was a shorter presentation, but it was still a presentation.
To celebrate I walked home from school. It was a wonderful afternoon, mid-seventies, lots of sun, and a light breeze. Nearly perfect weather. After supper I also went for a walk (link to photos of lots of green stuff on the right), so I had two great walks yesterday, and that has helped my stress levels a great deal.
This morning I am strolling down to the library for some books, and then I have to sequester myself in my office and work on an essay. I hope to be able to get another evening walk, but that will depend on how things go today. My current goal is to finish a rough draft of this paper by Saturday evening, and spend Sunday polishing it. I can then turn it in Monday sometime, and move onto the next paper. I will need a rough draft of that paper done by Thursday, and that will give me Friday and Saturday to do the polish/edit. Tuesday will be a shot day. I have to go to school and listen to my classmates do their presentations (though that should be interesting). I can relax and enjoy them as I have finished mine! :) In the afternoon I will go to the comp class I was a part of, and listen to the groups there do their presentations. I am excited to see what they have done with their projects.
Wednesday is my one year in America anniversary. It has been a fast year. I suppose I should think about what has changed for me in that year.
Saturday I will have completed my first year of the MFA program, and I suppose I should think about what that means as well.
It is a beautiful morning.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Chapbook
I am nearly done my edits for the spring workshop. I have a collection of ten connected poems. If you would like a copy, send me an email, or leave a comment, and I will send out a pdf.
I am also into my final panic. One week of classes, two essays, and two presentations. Have I done any work on these projects? No. Am I panicking? YES!
The weather has been nice this week, and looks nice in the following few days. Some rain arrived last night, and, with luck, we will get a lot more today and tomorrow.
A much longer entry will appear after the semester's end. That is in two weeks. Or sooner, depending on what kind of progress I make towards completion of the semester's labors.
I am also into my final panic. One week of classes, two essays, and two presentations. Have I done any work on these projects? No. Am I panicking? YES!
The weather has been nice this week, and looks nice in the following few days. Some rain arrived last night, and, with luck, we will get a lot more today and tomorrow.
A much longer entry will appear after the semester's end. That is in two weeks. Or sooner, depending on what kind of progress I make towards completion of the semester's labors.
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