lots of stuff

Not sure where to start really on this one. If I blog everyday, I have lots to say, but when I forget about it, it seems that blogging moves off my radar. It's a funny thing really.

Anyway, lots going on. I finished the semester with a bang, spending 48 hours straight holed up in my house writing. I created a semi-masterpiece. It'll be a lot better when I revise it again.

I am going on a mad amount of weekend trips this summer. Last weekend was to Naperville, IL to see Star Wars Episode III, which was way better than I & II, though I don't understand why some of the main characters have to be such sucky actors. Next weekend, camping in IL somewhere (perhaps someone will comment on this entry and tell me where we're going since I can never remember), weekend after that, to Philly to visit my folks.

In July, 1st weekend to Rockford IL for a much needed relaxing girls weekend, and 2nd weekend to Kansas City, Missouri to visit some new friends. In August, one weekend in Chicago visiting friends, another in St. Louis with my dad when he comes to visit. It's fun to take some mini-trips and make the summer a bit more worthwhile since I'll be stuck here teaching. I might be able to squeeze a trip to Madison, WI in somewhere.

rest

One of the things I'm learning about being a grad student is that it's important to rest and to take care of myself. I really think I function better when I've gotten enough sleep, but sleep is not always rest. It's important to do what I did last night, take a break from all the work, hang out with the girls, have some drinks, relax, etc. I just feel so recharged now to face the next week, couple of weeks, month. I still have the same pile of work. Now, it just seems manageable.

productive (or not so productive) weekend

I am currently procrastinating from grading a zillion online student portfolios by putting all of the new music I got this past weekend on my mp3 player. Here is the list:

Kristen Hall Be Careful What You Wish For
The Frames DC fitzcarraldo
John Gorka Between Five and Seven
PJ Harvey Is This Desire?
Steve Earle I Feel Alright
Disappear Fear live at the bottom line
Disappear Fear Deep Soul Diver
Amy Correia carnival love
Catie Curtis Truth from Lies
Jonatha Brooke & the Story Plums
the Story the Angel in the House
Abra Moore strangest places
Patti Smith Gone Again
Cosy Sheridan Ant Hymn
Sweet Honey in the Rock Still on the Journey

Also, I got some nice items at garage sales: a few books, a cat pillow cross-stitch, and a huge handful of gardening magazines. I love garage sales.

Anyway, my hand is starting to ache from too much typing, so I'll cut it short. Can't wait (I emphasize the CAN'T) until this semester is over!

sheesh

I haven't blogged since April. So long ago...

This month just slipped by. It's been good overall.

I did a presentation on Thursday of my web installation that I'm working on for my feminist media studies class. The class loved it. My professor loved it. Even though I'm so busy right now, I'm still finding time to do work that I can find interesting and can be proud of. It's good to be a graduate student and be passionate about what you're working on, because you spend so much time with it, and when people love it you can appreciate that it's something cool that scholarship can achieve. You also risk kind of hard core rejection, but risks make the work seem more valuable. And when I work on stuff I only believe in half-heartedly, it just feels like going through the motions.

Today CCCC proposal is due. All these conferences! I'm hoping to get accepted this year since I haven't yet, but we'll see. No high expectations. I'm writing on Health Literacy this time around.