Update in Brief
Well, I've got a few updates to make sure you all (or probably both) still know that I breathe.
Festus and Charlotte are still doing well, though they fight occassionally. I doubt I'll ever manage one of those kitty photos where the two cats are bathing each other or cuddling. Just not going to happen. I've also come to the conclusion that Festus is a LOT younger than he ought to be. He still plays like a kitten, hasn't mastered pouncing (hasn't got the patience), and doesn't know how to play-fight (bites way too hard and can't take a hint).
My brother came for last (not this current) weekend, and we had a blast. Went all over the place, played putt-putt, tried new foods, etc. He tried to spoil the cats, but they were very rudely uninterested in the toys he bought. They both seemed to enjoy his company when playing with the current toys, though. Charlotte was her normal self, while Festus was a bit more outgoing than I expected.
This upcoming week is orientation, which means that I'll be lesson-planning like mad (only just got an electronic copy of the textbook, which I'll somehow be teaching out of in a week). I'll also be giving demos of the classroom equipment for those who just can't seem to get certain concepts through their ears and for those who are new to the system. And inventory, glorious inventory. I've never had such pained knees as when I have to kneel to read cpmputer numbers sideways and compare them to charts.
I cleared out a lot of things from the closet, with KM's help and guidance. Now all the winter stuff fits in with the regular, and I've got an idea of what I'd like to teach in this time around. First time: business casual skirt outfits. Student perception: cute and harmless. Second time: jeans and a blazer. Student perception: I still haven't figured it out, though I know I blew it with a skirt one day and lost whatever vibe had been going. This time around: long skirts or pants, T-shirts and casual shoes. As long as it goes together and is comfortable, I'll wear it and avoid being locked into any one style. Student perception: I don't really care.
There are a lot of things in fact that I'm planning to do differently as I begin the PhD program here. First off is a change of schedule. No more late nights at the office. I have an office here at home now, and if there is to be a late night, it will be here, where I can be comfortable. Second is a change of teaching style (again). I'm not going to be taking attendance, and I'll let them know it upfront. Likewise, I'm not going to spend more time in there than I need to get things done. No more stressing about whether I have enough to say to fill my time. Nope. I'll take as long as need be. They start zipping up early, though, and I'll take the whole time. I can talk for a damn long time if I want. Teach them sentence diagraming. Or basic Latin.
Point is: I'm there if they want to take advantage of the time and training. If they'd rather sleep in, that's just fine. If they'd rather play sand volleyball while it's cool out, that's also fine. But if they'd like to see what I have to say about the assignments and about writing in general, that's great. Welcome. But there are some rules for the classroom.
I'll be doing most if not all of my grading in the office, and taking very little of it home. I'll be doing most if not all of my reading at home. And my papers will be written at home.
I really won't care about fashion, though I've never been all too into that anyway. If I want to wear that skirt and it's just too cold out for bare legs, I'll put on long johns underneath. If I want to wear sandals in winter, I'll bring them along and change in the office. If I want to walk around the building barefoot, I won't wait until everyone goes home, I'll just kick off my shoes. My shoes are a hundred times dirtier than my feet are (though that won't likely be the case after a barefoot day in the building).
I'm going to go a year, starting yesterday, without buying anything non-essential.
In fact, I think I'll keep one of those meter things on this blog to chart my progress. Wish me luck.
These changes are the first steps for me into the world of voluntary simplicity. I think it's a nifty concept that I'd like to incorporate into my life and mindset. And to be honest, that year thing is just to see if I can. Like I do my Lenten things just to see. Of course, one of the things I'm discarding (yes, I still practice discardia) is my eating restrictions. I'm keeping fatty pork off my list, because to be honest, it upsets my stomach. But beef is back on the menu, as is ham. Those haven't made me feel ill, and it seems at the moment a little silly to avoid an entire animal just because some parts of it, prepared certain ways, can be a bit fatty. So hello again to lean beef and trimmed ham. (hear that? it's the sound of three relieved sighs as my family reads that and plans all the pot roasts, pork nachos, and Easter hams for the next time i'm home.) I guess this also means I can have corned beef and sliced ham on my sandwiches. Wow. I never really considered that as I crossed the noble cow and pig off my menu.
What else? I don't really know. That's about all I have for now, aside from the current knitting projects. I'll be signing off then, to look for one of those timeline bars to put in my blog. Maybe by the time this gets read next, there will be one here. Who knows.
Love and Peace
Festus and Charlotte are still doing well, though they fight occassionally. I doubt I'll ever manage one of those kitty photos where the two cats are bathing each other or cuddling. Just not going to happen. I've also come to the conclusion that Festus is a LOT younger than he ought to be. He still plays like a kitten, hasn't mastered pouncing (hasn't got the patience), and doesn't know how to play-fight (bites way too hard and can't take a hint).
My brother came for last (not this current) weekend, and we had a blast. Went all over the place, played putt-putt, tried new foods, etc. He tried to spoil the cats, but they were very rudely uninterested in the toys he bought. They both seemed to enjoy his company when playing with the current toys, though. Charlotte was her normal self, while Festus was a bit more outgoing than I expected.
This upcoming week is orientation, which means that I'll be lesson-planning like mad (only just got an electronic copy of the textbook, which I'll somehow be teaching out of in a week). I'll also be giving demos of the classroom equipment for those who just can't seem to get certain concepts through their ears and for those who are new to the system. And inventory, glorious inventory. I've never had such pained knees as when I have to kneel to read cpmputer numbers sideways and compare them to charts.
I cleared out a lot of things from the closet, with KM's help and guidance. Now all the winter stuff fits in with the regular, and I've got an idea of what I'd like to teach in this time around. First time: business casual skirt outfits. Student perception: cute and harmless. Second time: jeans and a blazer. Student perception: I still haven't figured it out, though I know I blew it with a skirt one day and lost whatever vibe had been going. This time around: long skirts or pants, T-shirts and casual shoes. As long as it goes together and is comfortable, I'll wear it and avoid being locked into any one style. Student perception: I don't really care.
There are a lot of things in fact that I'm planning to do differently as I begin the PhD program here. First off is a change of schedule. No more late nights at the office. I have an office here at home now, and if there is to be a late night, it will be here, where I can be comfortable. Second is a change of teaching style (again). I'm not going to be taking attendance, and I'll let them know it upfront. Likewise, I'm not going to spend more time in there than I need to get things done. No more stressing about whether I have enough to say to fill my time. Nope. I'll take as long as need be. They start zipping up early, though, and I'll take the whole time. I can talk for a damn long time if I want. Teach them sentence diagraming. Or basic Latin.
Point is: I'm there if they want to take advantage of the time and training. If they'd rather sleep in, that's just fine. If they'd rather play sand volleyball while it's cool out, that's also fine. But if they'd like to see what I have to say about the assignments and about writing in general, that's great. Welcome. But there are some rules for the classroom.
I'll be doing most if not all of my grading in the office, and taking very little of it home. I'll be doing most if not all of my reading at home. And my papers will be written at home.
I really won't care about fashion, though I've never been all too into that anyway. If I want to wear that skirt and it's just too cold out for bare legs, I'll put on long johns underneath. If I want to wear sandals in winter, I'll bring them along and change in the office. If I want to walk around the building barefoot, I won't wait until everyone goes home, I'll just kick off my shoes. My shoes are a hundred times dirtier than my feet are (though that won't likely be the case after a barefoot day in the building).
I'm going to go a year, starting yesterday, without buying anything non-essential.
- I won't be going out to eat for celebrations, I'll be cooking special meals.
- I won't go to the movies, I'll play some music and a game.
- I will find free things to do that are fun, or in the case of campus theater, I will only attend an event that is under 10 dollars. (I can't just go without watching a play, since I'd rather support the theater groups and the acting is so fresh).
- Depending on Festus's hairballs, I won't be getting him shaved again (though for his health and comfort, a return to hairballs will be a return to the lion cut).
- I need no new things, really, except a meat thermometer and roasting pan. I plan to roast a lot of chicken, and come out only with dry chicken; thus, I'll be following a coworker's instructions which necessitate the pan and meter. Etc.
In fact, I think I'll keep one of those meter things on this blog to chart my progress. Wish me luck.
These changes are the first steps for me into the world of voluntary simplicity. I think it's a nifty concept that I'd like to incorporate into my life and mindset. And to be honest, that year thing is just to see if I can. Like I do my Lenten things just to see. Of course, one of the things I'm discarding (yes, I still practice discardia) is my eating restrictions. I'm keeping fatty pork off my list, because to be honest, it upsets my stomach. But beef is back on the menu, as is ham. Those haven't made me feel ill, and it seems at the moment a little silly to avoid an entire animal just because some parts of it, prepared certain ways, can be a bit fatty. So hello again to lean beef and trimmed ham. (hear that? it's the sound of three relieved sighs as my family reads that and plans all the pot roasts, pork nachos, and Easter hams for the next time i'm home.) I guess this also means I can have corned beef and sliced ham on my sandwiches. Wow. I never really considered that as I crossed the noble cow and pig off my menu.
What else? I don't really know. That's about all I have for now, aside from the current knitting projects. I'll be signing off then, to look for one of those timeline bars to put in my blog. Maybe by the time this gets read next, there will be one here. Who knows.
Love and Peace
posted by Rehkmira @ 19:58
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