That's what I've been doing.
Showing posts with label grad school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grad school. Show all posts
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
81 Faces
I sat at 'my' desk, wearing my trusty cardigan and penny loafers, armed with enrollment list and pencil. This one has dimples, that one has frizzy bangs. Round. Slender. The little boy with shaggy hair. The silent girl with a long braid. The loud one.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Before the Rain: Why I like mornings now.
I may be moody, and I may whine a lot on twitter, but I can usually convince myself to be content. It takes a lot to make me lose my cool. Even so, there are a few things that really get to me, and these three top the list: the dark, snakes, and mornings (in that order).
Imagine my delight when I sensed God leading me here, to a teacher education program, which would by necessity end with at least a semester of teaching. And teaching, of course, means mornings. [cue whining] I moved forward trusting that if He could see me through the first three semesters of grad school, He could take care of one semester of early mornings and long days in public school. So this morning, at 8:05, I backed my car out of a mountain driveway and headed to school.
Imagine my delight when I sensed God leading me here, to a teacher education program, which would by necessity end with at least a semester of teaching. And teaching, of course, means mornings. [cue whining] I moved forward trusting that if He could see me through the first three semesters of grad school, He could take care of one semester of early mornings and long days in public school. So this morning, at 8:05, I backed my car out of a mountain driveway and headed to school.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Thursday, December 8, 2011
argh
I am just really frustrated today. It happens sometimes, mostly when I watch the news or go to my education classes or read the Bible. I'm frustrated with our society. I'm frustrated with our churches. I'm frustrated with our schools.
Ask anyone who's familiar with educational theory, and they'll tell you that the best teachers are the ones who teach kids to be knowledge constructors, not knowledge consumers. We should ask them questions and make them ask questions, make them think, help them form connections between what's in the textbook and what's in the world. We should give them the resources and then teach them to learn, to put facts together and build knowledge.
Ask anyone who's familiar with educational theory, and they'll tell you that the best teachers are the ones who teach kids to be knowledge constructors, not knowledge consumers. We should ask them questions and make them ask questions, make them think, help them form connections between what's in the textbook and what's in the world. We should give them the resources and then teach them to learn, to put facts together and build knowledge.
Friday, November 18, 2011
you're welcome!
Hey there, folks! I'm coming to you LIVE from the "Graduate Student Lounge," where I'm joined by a coffee pot, old mini-fridge, and a wall calendar. We also have some office chairs, but I have this thing about old furniture... I kind of think it's gross. Could this have something to do with people I observed using the public couches in the student center at BPC? Probably. Throw on a slipcover and it's fine -- my very own sofa is second-hand -- but I have no idea whose butts sat in these chairs before they were banished here. No, thanks.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
glass half ____? or maybe half a glass?
I'm always amazed at the big difference small things can make.
Have you ever had one of those days/weeks/months when you had resolved to look at the glass as half full, but then noticed that the glass was LEAKING? You know, like when you get a huge cherry limeade from Sonic during "happy hour" and then poke your straw through the bottom of the cup over your khaki pants? What then?
Monday, November 7, 2011
Monday, Monday
8:22 am - wake up and realize I should be arriving at my practicum approximately now. send apology email to cooperating teacher.
8:45 am - clean apartment in search of student ID that's been MIA for a week. find it stuck between pages of Radical book.
9:00 am - think about Saturday plans, then remember that I'm taking the Praxis.
9:30 am - check Praxis website for test time, realize I never registered for the test.
9:45 am - go back to bed and start over.
Just in case you think I've got it all together... I don't.
8:45 am - clean apartment in search of student ID that's been MIA for a week. find it stuck between pages of Radical book.
9:00 am - think about Saturday plans, then remember that I'm taking the Praxis.
9:30 am - check Praxis website for test time, realize I never registered for the test.
9:45 am - go back to bed and start over.
Just in case you think I've got it all together... I don't.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
something a little different
Hey there, reading audience! I forgot to mention that I had two poems printed in this year's edition of Ampersand, the campus literary magazine.
Ampersand, Volume 9
Let me just warn you that these are not sunny pieces... Although I try to keep it positive here on my blog, I'm not always a happy writer. For your reading pleasure, you can find me by clicking the link above and scrolling to pages 5, 49, and 91.
*I have not read, nor do I intend to read, the rest of the entries. So if you find something you don't like, don't say I recommended it! ;)
Ampersand, Volume 9
Let me just warn you that these are not sunny pieces... Although I try to keep it positive here on my blog, I'm not always a happy writer. For your reading pleasure, you can find me by clicking the link above and scrolling to pages 5, 49, and 91.
*I have not read, nor do I intend to read, the rest of the entries. So if you find something you don't like, don't say I recommended it! ;)
Monday, October 10, 2011
just another day living the dream!
I walked into the church smelling like baby drool, second-day hair still in last night’s ponytail, and somehow I knew what was coming.
“Rebecca had a hot date yesterday!!!”
Amazing what lungs a 13 year old girl can possess, especially when given a microphone. I tried every way possible to explain why lunch with an old friend is not exactly the same as a date, but 7th graders do not cut you any slack. In their minds, boy + girl = date! You know what? I love them for that.
I love that whatever I do on Sunday, I’m going to hear about at praise band practice on Monday afternoon (and so is the rest of the world). I love the way they giggle behind their notebooks like I don’t know what they’re talking about. I love those girls with their developing voices and that one precious red-headed boy who sings with them (I need to remember to give them a hard time for that). I love being real with them, having conversations that I know are being eavesdropped on and then letting them tell me what I said. I love that I’m not such a stranger anymore.
Note to self: Next time, eat somewhere less popular.
“RE-becca, are you really 27 years old?”
What do you know? For the first time in my life, someone actually over-estimated my age! Her mother scolded her -- making jokes about age is not polite in America -- but I love that little girl’s frankness. I love that sometimes she cries because she doesn’t get to stay for writing lessons. I love that before I can start a writing lesson, I have to hear about soccer camp and Old MacDonald on the recorder and what the baby girl did to her older brother and sister today. I love eating a piece of candy and having no idea what I'm putting in my mouth. I love that when their mom offers me a plate of food, she has no idea how much more she is sending me home with.
Note to self: Always have a job that means something.
I love reading with a baby asleep on my lap because she cries when I put her down. I love knowing glances from middle schoolers. I love three Korean kids waving at me from the front door. If I've learned one thing in grad school, it's that life truly is what you make it.
I love that my life is so full of love in a town that a short year ago was empty.
It doesn’t get any better than that, folks.
“Rebecca had a hot date yesterday!!!”
Amazing what lungs a 13 year old girl can possess, especially when given a microphone. I tried every way possible to explain why lunch with an old friend is not exactly the same as a date, but 7th graders do not cut you any slack. In their minds, boy + girl = date! You know what? I love them for that.
I love that whatever I do on Sunday, I’m going to hear about at praise band practice on Monday afternoon (and so is the rest of the world). I love the way they giggle behind their notebooks like I don’t know what they’re talking about. I love those girls with their developing voices and that one precious red-headed boy who sings with them (I need to remember to give them a hard time for that). I love being real with them, having conversations that I know are being eavesdropped on and then letting them tell me what I said. I love that I’m not such a stranger anymore.
Note to self: Next time, eat somewhere less popular.
“RE-becca, are you really 27 years old?”
What do you know? For the first time in my life, someone actually over-estimated my age! Her mother scolded her -- making jokes about age is not polite in America -- but I love that little girl’s frankness. I love that sometimes she cries because she doesn’t get to stay for writing lessons. I love that before I can start a writing lesson, I have to hear about soccer camp and Old MacDonald on the recorder and what the baby girl did to her older brother and sister today. I love eating a piece of candy and having no idea what I'm putting in my mouth. I love that when their mom offers me a plate of food, she has no idea how much more she is sending me home with.
Note to self: Always have a job that means something.
I love reading with a baby asleep on my lap because she cries when I put her down. I love knowing glances from middle schoolers. I love three Korean kids waving at me from the front door. If I've learned one thing in grad school, it's that life truly is what you make it.
I love that my life is so full of love in a town that a short year ago was empty.
It doesn’t get any better than that, folks.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
oh, TESL...
I love internationals! That's no secret. Well, lately I've been having a lot of moments when I become very much aware of the company I keep. You are the people you associate with, right?
You might hang out with Asian students if you...
-recently purchased a shoe shelf to go by your back door
-feel guilty for keeping your shoes on in American friends' homes
-complain because the food at the Chinese buffet can't really be eaten with chopsticks
-know what the spicy red sauce is called
-have American friends who know when you're quoting an international because you pick up an accent
-can't go more than a few days without eating rice -- sticky rice, not Uncle Ben's
-know what a rice cooker is
-often prepare food according to cartoon drawings because you can't read the instructions
-call someone about a job and instead of "Hi, this is _____," you say "Hello, I am _____."
-don't get nauseated at the smell of kimchi
-have tried several varieties of kimchi and have a preference
-get the urge to make the peace sign next to your face in pictures
-would describe a Hot Pocket as "a giant egg roll with a hot, saucy filling."
You might hang out with Asian students if you...
-recently purchased a shoe shelf to go by your back door
-feel guilty for keeping your shoes on in American friends' homes
-complain because the food at the Chinese buffet can't really be eaten with chopsticks
-know what the spicy red sauce is called
-have American friends who know when you're quoting an international because you pick up an accent
-can't go more than a few days without eating rice -- sticky rice, not Uncle Ben's
-know what a rice cooker is
-often prepare food according to cartoon drawings because you can't read the instructions
-call someone about a job and instead of "Hi, this is _____," you say "Hello, I am _____."
-don't get nauseated at the smell of kimchi
-have tried several varieties of kimchi and have a preference
-get the urge to make the peace sign next to your face in pictures
-would describe a Hot Pocket as "a giant egg roll with a hot, saucy filling."
...that last one was the kicker for me. I just had to laugh at myself. I love it! But seriously, how DO you describe a hot pocket to someone who's never seen one?
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
again? really?
Well well well...
I blinked for a second and what do you know, here I am one whole year out of college. Yikes! I wanted to write this whole thing about everything I’ve learned, what I’ve experienced, where I was then versus where I am now, etc... but honestly, I couldn’t get that all in one blog post. In all the time I spent pondering and trying to figure how I could sum up the past year, I realized life was still happening! If I spend too much time thinking about auld lang syne, I’ll get behind on now.
So let me just say this: I’m supposed to sing at church Sunday morning, and my loving mother keeps asking me, “What are you going to sing?” And every time I reply, “I haven’t decided yet!” It’s not that I don’t have any ideas; the problem is that there are so many options, and I change my mind every day. At this point I could probably give a concert with all the songs I’ve learned this week.
I think this situation pretty well defines my life right now.
My life and my heart may have changed tremendously in some ways, but here I am exactly where I was not too long ago with the same choice to make, and the same heavy basket of passions, fears, and questions making it quite a task. I have 2 classes, a scholarly paper, and student teaching between me and the real world. *GULP* What will I do? There are so many options, I’m having trouble sticking with just one. (And I think that’s a good problem to have.) So right now, again, I just want to survive my last year of school and cross those other bridges when I come to them.
A year ago I found myself at the end of one phase of life and the beginning of another similar, but in many ways completely different, place. I finished one degree and started another. I left one community and forced my way into another. It seems like after every major life decision, I breathe a huge sigh of relief until I realize that staring me in the face is yet another huge life decision. Will it ever end?! I’ve decided the answer is probably a resounding, “NO.” I’m starting to get the idea that my life is not about settling into one place forever; it’s an endless series of choices -- big and small -- strung together by brief moments of peace. This is one of those moments, and I’m loving it.
In other news, interesting developments on the home front. I’ve been seeing a doctor here at home for a little over a year about a certain issue that isn’t too public. The office called a few weeks ago to reschedule my appointment, confirmed that appointment last Friday, and in all of that neglected to tell me that my doctor DIED. You’d think they would’ve mentioned that little bit of information. So now I have my entire file in hand with the task of finding a new doc in Tennessee, all by myself without my mommy there to talk for me when I get embarrassed. Oh well, it’s just another chance for me to be a big girl, I guess.
Decisions, decisions...
I blinked for a second and what do you know, here I am one whole year out of college. Yikes! I wanted to write this whole thing about everything I’ve learned, what I’ve experienced, where I was then versus where I am now, etc... but honestly, I couldn’t get that all in one blog post. In all the time I spent pondering and trying to figure how I could sum up the past year, I realized life was still happening! If I spend too much time thinking about auld lang syne, I’ll get behind on now.
So let me just say this: I’m supposed to sing at church Sunday morning, and my loving mother keeps asking me, “What are you going to sing?” And every time I reply, “I haven’t decided yet!” It’s not that I don’t have any ideas; the problem is that there are so many options, and I change my mind every day. At this point I could probably give a concert with all the songs I’ve learned this week.
I think this situation pretty well defines my life right now.
My life and my heart may have changed tremendously in some ways, but here I am exactly where I was not too long ago with the same choice to make, and the same heavy basket of passions, fears, and questions making it quite a task. I have 2 classes, a scholarly paper, and student teaching between me and the real world. *GULP* What will I do? There are so many options, I’m having trouble sticking with just one. (And I think that’s a good problem to have.) So right now, again, I just want to survive my last year of school and cross those other bridges when I come to them.
A year ago I found myself at the end of one phase of life and the beginning of another similar, but in many ways completely different, place. I finished one degree and started another. I left one community and forced my way into another. It seems like after every major life decision, I breathe a huge sigh of relief until I realize that staring me in the face is yet another huge life decision. Will it ever end?! I’ve decided the answer is probably a resounding, “NO.” I’m starting to get the idea that my life is not about settling into one place forever; it’s an endless series of choices -- big and small -- strung together by brief moments of peace. This is one of those moments, and I’m loving it.
In other news, interesting developments on the home front. I’ve been seeing a doctor here at home for a little over a year about a certain issue that isn’t too public. The office called a few weeks ago to reschedule my appointment, confirmed that appointment last Friday, and in all of that neglected to tell me that my doctor DIED. You’d think they would’ve mentioned that little bit of information. So now I have my entire file in hand with the task of finding a new doc in Tennessee, all by myself without my mommy there to talk for me when I get embarrassed. Oh well, it’s just another chance for me to be a big girl, I guess.
Decisions, decisions...
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
in my perfect world
I could say “Table for 1, please,” and not get that “I’m sorry” look from the hostess
Apartment A would’ve been rented by a tall, single, Jesus-lovin white boy who likes Europe and orphans
I would have chance meetings with people I know when I’m not wearing gym clothes
People would laugh at my jokes and not laugh when I’m not joking
The guy wearing the awesome hat who just walked by would’ve looked down and noticed how charming I look sitting in the grass with my laptop, nalgene, and schoolbag
My fingernails would clip themselves
Old people would never make embarrassing comments in front of your friends
All the dishes would fit in the dish drainer
Roly Poly bugs would die if they came within a mile of my door
Black men wouldn’t stare at my backside
Water would be free
All my friends would live in the same state
I would get paid or at least appreciated for the things I really love, things I already do: writing, playing with kids, hanging out with internationals, singing Taylor Swift in public...
Ok, so the last one is partially already true. The rest I guess I can live without.
Apartment A would’ve been rented by a tall, single, Jesus-lovin white boy who likes Europe and orphans
I would have chance meetings with people I know when I’m not wearing gym clothes
People would laugh at my jokes and not laugh when I’m not joking
The guy wearing the awesome hat who just walked by would’ve looked down and noticed how charming I look sitting in the grass with my laptop, nalgene, and schoolbag
My fingernails would clip themselves
Old people would never make embarrassing comments in front of your friends
All the dishes would fit in the dish drainer
Roly Poly bugs would die if they came within a mile of my door
Black men wouldn’t stare at my backside
Water would be free
All my friends would live in the same state
I would get paid or at least appreciated for the things I really love, things I already do: writing, playing with kids, hanging out with internationals, singing Taylor Swift in public...
Ok, so the last one is partially already true. The rest I guess I can live without.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
just a little plug
In case you didn't know, I have a travel blog that should be updated very soon during my study abroad!
In the meantime, I'm stuck here studying for finals. boo. All I can think about is Europa in my near future!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
contrastive rhetoric
"Hellooo, Tuesday! gosh, you're going to be long." <-- my exact thought when I heard my phone beep at 9:00 this morning. Why am I getting a text at this time?
I know, I'm rather spoiled to have still been in bed at 9... but I like to think I'm just making up for all the hours of sleep I missed in McAllister over the past 4 years (which ended almost a year ago. YIKES!). Besides, one day I'll have a real job and I'll never get to sleep late again until retirement, by which time my body will naturally start at 5am. This is my last chance! I have to sleep in while I still can, right?!
So, I was right, this day started being busy the moment I opened my eyes and ended with a microwave chicken pot pie that left a blister in my mouth which was soon popped by a whole wheat cracker. ouch. Yet for some reason, I simply love Tuesday.
No, I don't exactly relish my Tuesday morning English Syntax class. Grammar comes in handy every now and then, but it still hasn't paid off like I hoped it would a year ago, so I've kind of lost interest. But I always learn something interesting on Tuesday. Today I learned that you should always have your backpack stocked for various emergencies, that Korean and Taiwanese students make similar speech errors, and that the British Pound is equal to 2 US Dollars. Here's my favorite thing I learned today: a Japanese 4-part rhetorical pattern called Ki Shou Ten Ketsu (I think?).
Ki: Introduce the subject. "Two sisters browse in a bookstore."
Shou: Define the subject. "They are slender and move quietly through the aisles."
Ten: Make an unexpected turn that may seem unrelated. "Samurai kill with their swords."
Ketsu: Bring everything together in an unexpected way. "These sisters kill with their eyes."
(Taken from Dr. Brock's lesson; not my original composition.)
Try it!
I know, I'm rather spoiled to have still been in bed at 9... but I like to think I'm just making up for all the hours of sleep I missed in McAllister over the past 4 years (which ended almost a year ago. YIKES!). Besides, one day I'll have a real job and I'll never get to sleep late again until retirement, by which time my body will naturally start at 5am. This is my last chance! I have to sleep in while I still can, right?!
So, I was right, this day started being busy the moment I opened my eyes and ended with a microwave chicken pot pie that left a blister in my mouth which was soon popped by a whole wheat cracker. ouch. Yet for some reason, I simply love Tuesday.
No, I don't exactly relish my Tuesday morning English Syntax class. Grammar comes in handy every now and then, but it still hasn't paid off like I hoped it would a year ago, so I've kind of lost interest. But I always learn something interesting on Tuesday. Today I learned that you should always have your backpack stocked for various emergencies, that Korean and Taiwanese students make similar speech errors, and that the British Pound is equal to 2 US Dollars. Here's my favorite thing I learned today: a Japanese 4-part rhetorical pattern called Ki Shou Ten Ketsu (I think?).
Ki: Introduce the subject. "Two sisters browse in a bookstore."
Shou: Define the subject. "They are slender and move quietly through the aisles."
Ten: Make an unexpected turn that may seem unrelated. "Samurai kill with their swords."
Ketsu: Bring everything together in an unexpected way. "These sisters kill with their eyes."
(Taken from Dr. Brock's lesson; not my original composition.)
Try it!
Friday, April 1, 2011
oh.
First, go take this quiz:
http://frank.mtsu.edu/~studskl/hd/hemispheric_dominance.html
This week in Language Acquisition we learned about hemispheric dominance -- left-brained vs right-brained. I just need to say that my whole life makes 100% more sense now.
I scored 13 for right-brained, 6 for left-brained. I have learned that I must force myself to make lists.
http://frank.mtsu.edu/~studskl/hd/hemispheric_dominance.html
This week in Language Acquisition we learned about hemispheric dominance -- left-brained vs right-brained. I just need to say that my whole life makes 100% more sense now.
I scored 13 for right-brained, 6 for left-brained. I have learned that I must force myself to make lists.
Monday, January 17, 2011
oh, I guess they'll say I've grown.
I just realized 2011 will possibly be my only full year of living in Tennessee, since I'm set to graduate next May. There are some things I want to accomplish, and this list is not exhaustive:
- hike Mt. LeConte.
- eat at that little crepe cafe in downtown Knoxville, and the cereal bar.
- wander around UT like I'm a student and have the experience of nobody noticing I don't belong (unless I happen to run into one of the 3 people I know there, who will want to know what's up).
- go to Nashville.
- find a good farmer's market.
- go to open mic night at the coffee shop.
 |
| pork, red sauce, rice, and kimchi |
 |
| ...rolled up in a cabbage leaf |
Thursday, December 9, 2010
once upon a time
I remember this one time about two years ago when I was up at 2am writing a piece for Advanced Composition. I felt especially accomplished, and even somehow worked into the text the fact that I was writing at 2am. When I got the paper back (with a big beautiful "A" on top), there was a note from the professor. I absolutely love notes from professors.
"Have you considered grad school? It sounds like you've already got the late-night writing part nailed down."
Of course I laughingly refused even the possibility. So here I am at 1am writing a paper that was due today, which I guess was yesterday... and I still need four more sources. In Advanced Composition, there was never a minimum number of sources because we learned to make the point with as few words as possible.
"Have you considered grad school? It sounds like you've already got the late-night writing part nailed down."
Of course I laughingly refused even the possibility. So here I am at 1am writing a paper that was due today, which I guess was yesterday... and I still need four more sources. In Advanced Composition, there was never a minimum number of sources because we learned to make the point with as few words as possible.
Monday, November 15, 2010
on a slightly prettier note
I hate when my most recent blog entry happens to seem a little blue... so I decided I needed to fix that.
Who of you out there in blog-land has ever played the game of Pit? My life was definitely changed last night in this loud, pushy, selfish commodity-trading game. I love games that force me to be the opposite of who I really am! I am neither loud nor pushy, although sometimes a bit selfish -- quietly selfish, but selfish nonetheless.
Equally useful in reminding us of our real selves are the old friends who made us so. Nothing is more soothing to a wandering soul than a visit with someone broken-in and cozy, and better yet, two someones! In a town that as of right now is filled with many many familiar strangers, I was delighted to have house guests from Georgia this weekend. Bless them for wandering downtown Knoxville, hiking to Grotto Falls, and lounging on the sofa with me. I'm so glad we're all so different, because being together reminds me that we're really all so different -- you remind me of who I am. For that I must give you credit.
Time to go to class now and learn how to make a pronunciation syllabus. I can't wait to be a good teacher.
Who of you out there in blog-land has ever played the game of Pit? My life was definitely changed last night in this loud, pushy, selfish commodity-trading game. I love games that force me to be the opposite of who I really am! I am neither loud nor pushy, although sometimes a bit selfish -- quietly selfish, but selfish nonetheless.
Equally useful in reminding us of our real selves are the old friends who made us so. Nothing is more soothing to a wandering soul than a visit with someone broken-in and cozy, and better yet, two someones! In a town that as of right now is filled with many many familiar strangers, I was delighted to have house guests from Georgia this weekend. Bless them for wandering downtown Knoxville, hiking to Grotto Falls, and lounging on the sofa with me. I'm so glad we're all so different, because being together reminds me that we're really all so different -- you remind me of who I am. For that I must give you credit.
Time to go to class now and learn how to make a pronunciation syllabus. I can't wait to be a good teacher.
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