Well, I spent my first weekend back at Goucher in New York. And I'm very happy I made that decision. Quite a bit of my father's side of the family convened to celebrate my grandmother's birthday, and it was really wonderful to see everybody. Usually, we only see each other about twice a year, so it was great to have additional time (especially since Thanksgiving tends to be so rushed). I'm also glad I managed to miss the only wild partying Goucher has seen since 1885.
I have no idea what a "foam party" is meant to be. I only know I'm happy that I don't know.
Anyway. A quick update on the job front: it turns out that the Special Collections had already hired people for all their positions before they even interviewed me. I'm not sure what to make of that. Either they're particularly badly organized (like most of Goucher is), or... no. Actually, I'm pretty sure that's all it could be. In any case, I've been told that they'll get in touch with me if somebody leaves. As for the Library and the Career Development Office, things seem to be going along the same pattern as last year: "Oh, we're not sure yet. Keep checking back with us!"
... what?
I mean, if you're going to say "no," then just say "no!" So, needless to say, things are not looking promising. But as I'm sure I've already said on this blog (and if not, you may have heard this in person from either myself or my parents): I'm really not too bothered. I'm overwhelmed with work as it is-- and I don't mean to say that this is a bad thing. I just mean that I'd be very cautious about taking on even more work and responsibilities, and I'm not only refering to my classes. I'm also working on the process of declaring my major (just picked up the paperwork!), as well as that of applying to study abroad programs. I picked up some information on the Oxford program this afternoon, and signed up for an email notification when they have informational meetings about it. There isn't much else I can do with that right now, but it's going to get busy later in the semester. So all I can do for now is get as far ahead with my classes as I can, and make sure my grade does not fall below a 3.6 so I'll still have the Oxford program as an option by the end of all of this.
So. Stressed? Yes. Happiest person on the North American continent? Yes. Needless to say, my classes have been fantastic. My first batch of essays and papers are due early in the coming week, and although I've been working on them all week, it feels like it has been an exceptionally short week... I still have to finish my essay for my American Revolution class on "Early American" society, but I should be done fairly soon, and it isn't due until this coming Monday. I feel like I should be ready to tear my hair out, but instead, I just feel like I'm floating on top of everything. It's really bizzare. I've never used the world "stressed" to express a good feeling before, and I don't think many people have... which leads me to believe that I'm using the wrong word. I can't quite come up with the right one.
I was talking to Professor Fraser this morning, both before and after class. She asked me how I was doing in the seminar, and I told her I was really enjoying it, finding it interesting, and feeling challenged. All good things. We're doing alot of very theoretical readings, mostly on historiography, at this point, and she said that this was probably the most complicated the readings would be for the rest of the semester. I've been very struck this semester by how complicated history and the theory of history can be... honestly, I've been wondering how on earth professors come back from talking about these wonderfully complicated ideas in seminars and amongst each other, and teach survey courses, where they're basically lecturing: "So, then in 1848..." It seems so boring in comparison! Professor Fraser says it is a bit of a relief to come back and teach some more simple things sometimes, but having to gloss over so many things in survey classes can really be difficult... I can imagine.
Well. That's about it for now. I have to get back to that American Revolution essay.
My love to all,
Tasha
ps. I've been in a very Benjamin Britten mood lately, and this has been stuck in my head for days:
I have no idea what a "foam party" is meant to be. I only know I'm happy that I don't know.
Anyway. A quick update on the job front: it turns out that the Special Collections had already hired people for all their positions before they even interviewed me. I'm not sure what to make of that. Either they're particularly badly organized (like most of Goucher is), or... no. Actually, I'm pretty sure that's all it could be. In any case, I've been told that they'll get in touch with me if somebody leaves. As for the Library and the Career Development Office, things seem to be going along the same pattern as last year: "Oh, we're not sure yet. Keep checking back with us!"
... what?
I mean, if you're going to say "no," then just say "no!" So, needless to say, things are not looking promising. But as I'm sure I've already said on this blog (and if not, you may have heard this in person from either myself or my parents): I'm really not too bothered. I'm overwhelmed with work as it is-- and I don't mean to say that this is a bad thing. I just mean that I'd be very cautious about taking on even more work and responsibilities, and I'm not only refering to my classes. I'm also working on the process of declaring my major (just picked up the paperwork!), as well as that of applying to study abroad programs. I picked up some information on the Oxford program this afternoon, and signed up for an email notification when they have informational meetings about it. There isn't much else I can do with that right now, but it's going to get busy later in the semester. So all I can do for now is get as far ahead with my classes as I can, and make sure my grade does not fall below a 3.6 so I'll still have the Oxford program as an option by the end of all of this.
So. Stressed? Yes. Happiest person on the North American continent? Yes. Needless to say, my classes have been fantastic. My first batch of essays and papers are due early in the coming week, and although I've been working on them all week, it feels like it has been an exceptionally short week... I still have to finish my essay for my American Revolution class on "Early American" society, but I should be done fairly soon, and it isn't due until this coming Monday. I feel like I should be ready to tear my hair out, but instead, I just feel like I'm floating on top of everything. It's really bizzare. I've never used the world "stressed" to express a good feeling before, and I don't think many people have... which leads me to believe that I'm using the wrong word. I can't quite come up with the right one.
I was talking to Professor Fraser this morning, both before and after class. She asked me how I was doing in the seminar, and I told her I was really enjoying it, finding it interesting, and feeling challenged. All good things. We're doing alot of very theoretical readings, mostly on historiography, at this point, and she said that this was probably the most complicated the readings would be for the rest of the semester. I've been very struck this semester by how complicated history and the theory of history can be... honestly, I've been wondering how on earth professors come back from talking about these wonderfully complicated ideas in seminars and amongst each other, and teach survey courses, where they're basically lecturing: "So, then in 1848..." It seems so boring in comparison! Professor Fraser says it is a bit of a relief to come back and teach some more simple things sometimes, but having to gloss over so many things in survey classes can really be difficult... I can imagine.
Well. That's about it for now. I have to get back to that American Revolution essay.
My love to all,
Tasha
ps. I've been in a very Benjamin Britten mood lately, and this has been stuck in my head for days:
Amazing work up there
ReplyDeleteLove your positiveness :D - Getting infected by it all the way here!
Big Hug XD