So, once again folks, it's Sunday night, after midnight. And magical, I know, but I'm not finished my work for the week.
I've made a dent in the reading for one class--and did a few other important items, filling out my FAFSA, applying to be on the board of a student group, etc. But I did not manage to get my actual school work done.
I also did not manage to cook something to take to work tomorrow. I'm going to have to make a lunch now--with nothing exciting in it.
I need to actually get my work done--and it's going to become more important because in the next few weeks, I have midterms and other assignments. I'm not ready, but I also need to be finished with all of it by March 14th so I can go to Guatemala.
Here's to hoping that I can get lots done this coming week and be more productive than ever!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Procrastination at its Best
After a long week of emotional drama--wondering if I'll ever love again, etc., I have become a professional procrastinator.
I feel my credentials need not be touted--I've earned them. Last night I was up until 3 AM working on a paper that was due this morning. I read all the material and wrote what I hope is coherent and intelligible. And, of course, I'm procrastinating again with the quick presentation on this paper that I must give tomorrow in my 6:30 class. Granted, I'll have some time tomorrow afternoon to prepare--and I'm definitely in no shape to work on it now. But the procrastination must stop!
This has become a more common theme with my school work than I would like to admit. I'm not particularly interested in two of my classes--and unfortunately, it probably shows. And yet, I was on the phone with my accountant today--and reminded of just how much money I am spending to be here, in this graduate program.
It's time for me to get my shit together and act like I want to be in school. If I don't start dealing with this soon--the semester is bound to become one long drawn out nightmare. And to be honest, I think I can only afford to have nightmare status in one part of my life at once. Currently, my relationship status/personal drama has cornered the market on nightmares.
The frightening thing is that I am not really getting too nervous about my procrastination--that makes it all the more unnerving. I'm hoping my presentation will give me an appropriate kick in the pants tomorrow. And the fact that I have to wake up in 5 hours.
I feel my credentials need not be touted--I've earned them. Last night I was up until 3 AM working on a paper that was due this morning. I read all the material and wrote what I hope is coherent and intelligible. And, of course, I'm procrastinating again with the quick presentation on this paper that I must give tomorrow in my 6:30 class. Granted, I'll have some time tomorrow afternoon to prepare--and I'm definitely in no shape to work on it now. But the procrastination must stop!
This has become a more common theme with my school work than I would like to admit. I'm not particularly interested in two of my classes--and unfortunately, it probably shows. And yet, I was on the phone with my accountant today--and reminded of just how much money I am spending to be here, in this graduate program.
It's time for me to get my shit together and act like I want to be in school. If I don't start dealing with this soon--the semester is bound to become one long drawn out nightmare. And to be honest, I think I can only afford to have nightmare status in one part of my life at once. Currently, my relationship status/personal drama has cornered the market on nightmares.
The frightening thing is that I am not really getting too nervous about my procrastination--that makes it all the more unnerving. I'm hoping my presentation will give me an appropriate kick in the pants tomorrow. And the fact that I have to wake up in 5 hours.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Dream: Superhero Band-Aids
More dreaming. I was in a weird place like a giant strip mall and people are...? I don't remember, I got up and started to write this right away, thinking I would remember and be able to jot it down. Too bad, I guess the shelf life on this dream was short.
In my dream the other night, Lizzie, Jamie H., Carrie, Jenny W., and some others were all superheroes. I don't think we had crazy outfits, but we had super powers. We also had band-aid, that after you had them on for a while turned into chewing gum. So, at some point in the dream, I asked, "Do I have to put this on first, or can I just eat it?" Just like me to not have any patience with waiting for food.
In my dream the other night, Lizzie, Jamie H., Carrie, Jenny W., and some others were all superheroes. I don't think we had crazy outfits, but we had super powers. We also had band-aid, that after you had them on for a while turned into chewing gum. So, at some point in the dream, I asked, "Do I have to put this on first, or can I just eat it?" Just like me to not have any patience with waiting for food.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
The Waiting Game
There's a Bittersweet song that I love. It's called "The Mating Game." Over the last week, I've been hearing this song in my head and changing the words to the chorus, so that I end up singing about "The Waiting Game."
On Monday of this week, my public policy professor sent an e-mail to my class apologizing for the delay in posting our final grades. He attributes this delay to the fact that many students, he didn't disclose how many, have instances of plagiarism in their final exams and final policy memo projects. As a result, he and our "teaching colleagues" what my department calls TAs, are running all of the final exams and the memos through plagiarism-detecting software.
As with any witch hunt, those accused tend to second-guess themselves throughout the process. While I re-read my submissions and believe that I'm not one of the students they will accuse, the ordeal is entirely frustrating. And so with a new-found rigor, I have been checking my grade-posting website as if it's my job. My anxiety is beginning to reach new heights. Grades were supposed to be available today. Magically, my grades have not yet been posted.
My frustration with this situation exists on many levels. First, let's assume that the witch hunt turns up some real offenders. I'm sure there are students in my academic community who have knowingly or unknowingly failed to cite sources appropriately in their final exams and memos. Unfortunately for them, we are in graduate school. The standards should be high. I've seen this happen in two group project situations.
I participated in two group papers for two different classes this past semester. In both cases, there was a student, who lifted large passages from a text and presented that writing as his/her own work. In one situation, I noticed the plagiarism. In the other, my group members picked up on it. Both groups were able to weed out the plagiarized text. I can only hope that it is this type of infraction that my professor is trying to prosecute.
Both of these students in my group projects were international students. This is of concern only because the standards of citation are higher in the U.S. academic world than the home countries of these students. Were these students adequately prepared for the level of citation/sourcing they would be required to do? If so, are these students that are just turning in half-ass work because they aren't great students? Or did the prep work just not sink in?
Not sure what conclusions I should be drawing from this experience. Right now, the only conclusion I can draw is that I still don't have a grade for this class. My second semester starts in about a week.
1/20 UPDATE: I got an A on my policy memo and an A- in the class. But I didn't get the grade until 1/18. Talk about last minute...the semester starts on Tuesday.
On Monday of this week, my public policy professor sent an e-mail to my class apologizing for the delay in posting our final grades. He attributes this delay to the fact that many students, he didn't disclose how many, have instances of plagiarism in their final exams and final policy memo projects. As a result, he and our "teaching colleagues" what my department calls TAs, are running all of the final exams and the memos through plagiarism-detecting software.
As with any witch hunt, those accused tend to second-guess themselves throughout the process. While I re-read my submissions and believe that I'm not one of the students they will accuse, the ordeal is entirely frustrating. And so with a new-found rigor, I have been checking my grade-posting website as if it's my job. My anxiety is beginning to reach new heights. Grades were supposed to be available today. Magically, my grades have not yet been posted.
My frustration with this situation exists on many levels. First, let's assume that the witch hunt turns up some real offenders. I'm sure there are students in my academic community who have knowingly or unknowingly failed to cite sources appropriately in their final exams and memos. Unfortunately for them, we are in graduate school. The standards should be high. I've seen this happen in two group project situations.
I participated in two group papers for two different classes this past semester. In both cases, there was a student, who lifted large passages from a text and presented that writing as his/her own work. In one situation, I noticed the plagiarism. In the other, my group members picked up on it. Both groups were able to weed out the plagiarized text. I can only hope that it is this type of infraction that my professor is trying to prosecute.
Both of these students in my group projects were international students. This is of concern only because the standards of citation are higher in the U.S. academic world than the home countries of these students. Were these students adequately prepared for the level of citation/sourcing they would be required to do? If so, are these students that are just turning in half-ass work because they aren't great students? Or did the prep work just not sink in?
Not sure what conclusions I should be drawing from this experience. Right now, the only conclusion I can draw is that I still don't have a grade for this class. My second semester starts in about a week.
1/20 UPDATE: I got an A on my policy memo and an A- in the class. But I didn't get the grade until 1/18. Talk about last minute...the semester starts on Tuesday.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Heart Swap
Last night I listened to an episode of This American Life that included an incredibly moving story, Sara and Lucas. Lucas, mistaken for his older brother, was killed by gang members. Sara was waiting for a heart donor. Sara received Lucas' heart. The story details the connection between the two families and the connection Sara feels inside her chest.
The story was really interesting. Suggest looking for it on This American Life's website.
The story was really interesting. Suggest looking for it on This American Life's website.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Beating Around the Bush
I'm trying to write my reading analysis for my public policy class. The three articles are about executive branch power and challenges to their authority by Congress, civil service, and the public.
In two of the three articles I'm analyzing, George W. Bush is used as a case. So, I'm having trouble writing this without it sounding like a partisan rant.
Currently, I still have a line in there responding to the fact that it's difficult to assess his presidential performance unless you're looking at the whole picture e.g. 2000 to 2008. The author finished his article in 2005 and a lot has changed for Bushie since then. My line says: "Obviously, Bush 43 isn't finished fucking up the country." It will likely have to be deleted.
And, in case readers out there are like my mother--and don't understand what "Bush 43" means...It's referring to the fact that we're talking about the unfortunate 43rd president, George W. Bush, justs as Bush 41 would refer to the 41st president, George H.W. Bush.
So, I am going to try to divine another thesis that will make me sound intelligent and articulate--and doesn't force me to start slinging mud.
In the meantime, I'm beating around the Bush, and enjoying my partisan rant.
In two of the three articles I'm analyzing, George W. Bush is used as a case. So, I'm having trouble writing this without it sounding like a partisan rant.
Currently, I still have a line in there responding to the fact that it's difficult to assess his presidential performance unless you're looking at the whole picture e.g. 2000 to 2008. The author finished his article in 2005 and a lot has changed for Bushie since then. My line says: "Obviously, Bush 43 isn't finished fucking up the country." It will likely have to be deleted.
And, in case readers out there are like my mother--and don't understand what "Bush 43" means...It's referring to the fact that we're talking about the unfortunate 43rd president, George W. Bush, justs as Bush 41 would refer to the 41st president, George H.W. Bush.
So, I am going to try to divine another thesis that will make me sound intelligent and articulate--and doesn't force me to start slinging mud.
In the meantime, I'm beating around the Bush, and enjoying my partisan rant.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Negotiating
I'm reading a book for my management class called Getting Past No. I would underline the title, but I'm new at blogging and don't know how. Anyway, the book is all about negotiating your way out of a tough conversation, situation, or conflict.
While there are many applicable environments for negotiation skills, I would like to bring up one where I don't think it will help me much: the weather.
So, I moved from Los Angeles to New York City about two months ago. I'm an East Coast kid born and raised, so I understand that it will rain and snow here. I'm sad about it, but I accept it.
However, I found myself stuck in the rain the last night--with no umbrella, no rainboots, and it was coming down pretty bad. Lucky for me I had a jacket to throw over my head and backpack (protect the precious laptop at all costs!). It was late-ish and so the umbrella vendors had given up for the day.
So today, like a proper Brownie drop-out (that's pre-Girl Scouts) I came uber-prepared for rain. I was so prepared it was scary. I had rainboots on AND they matched my shirt. I know, I'm good. I had my not-so-heavy water-resistant jacket with a hood. And I was ready and willing to invest in ingenious technology--an umbrella.
All that said, there was no rain to be had today. So, at the end of the day, I had to shove my rainboots and my jacket in my backpack. My backpack, at maximum storage capacity, made me look like I was really planning to hike somewhere far away. I also hit lots of people with it when I tried to enter buildings, elevators, and the subway.
I must have been a sight to see. It was amusing enough to my new colleagues that they decided my nickname would forever be: Dora (the Explorer).
As I sit and write this post, it is unbearably hot in my room. I desperately want to open the window. But I might have to negotiate with Mother Nature about the chance that rain is in my future.
10/11 UPDATE: I got soaked head-to-toe today--no boots, my new umbrella is too small, and no water repellent clothing. So much for negotiating...
While there are many applicable environments for negotiation skills, I would like to bring up one where I don't think it will help me much: the weather.
So, I moved from Los Angeles to New York City about two months ago. I'm an East Coast kid born and raised, so I understand that it will rain and snow here. I'm sad about it, but I accept it.
However, I found myself stuck in the rain the last night--with no umbrella, no rainboots, and it was coming down pretty bad. Lucky for me I had a jacket to throw over my head and backpack (protect the precious laptop at all costs!). It was late-ish and so the umbrella vendors had given up for the day.
So today, like a proper Brownie drop-out (that's pre-Girl Scouts) I came uber-prepared for rain. I was so prepared it was scary. I had rainboots on AND they matched my shirt. I know, I'm good. I had my not-so-heavy water-resistant jacket with a hood. And I was ready and willing to invest in ingenious technology--an umbrella.
All that said, there was no rain to be had today. So, at the end of the day, I had to shove my rainboots and my jacket in my backpack. My backpack, at maximum storage capacity, made me look like I was really planning to hike somewhere far away. I also hit lots of people with it when I tried to enter buildings, elevators, and the subway.
I must have been a sight to see. It was amusing enough to my new colleagues that they decided my nickname would forever be: Dora (the Explorer).
As I sit and write this post, it is unbearably hot in my room. I desperately want to open the window. But I might have to negotiate with Mother Nature about the chance that rain is in my future.
10/11 UPDATE: I got soaked head-to-toe today--no boots, my new umbrella is too small, and no water repellent clothing. So much for negotiating...
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