Spectator

I'm enjoying being a spectator for this literacy challenge.  It's inspired me to think about how much I read each day. 

Last night, instead of watching the Duke / Butler game, I read a few chapters of my latest book club book:  A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon.  It's okay so far.  I'm looking forward to the point when it lives up to this little bit on the back cover:  "a disturbing yet amusing portrait of a dignified man trying to go insane politely."  I like that idea

The part I read last night wasn't enough to hold my full attention, and I did stop reading to watch Butler lose the game.  Which was really too bad.  The announcer tried to make me feel better by saying there were no losers in this game.  It was a nice try, but the nature of the sport dictates otherwise.  

Missed Boat

I'm really sad that I didn't join this blogging challenge.  It's awesome so far.  Check it out!

p.s.  If I had joined the blogging challenge, I'd blog about the nursing book I read yesterday at my sister's place in Helena.  I have no reason to need this information about nursing, but the diagrams were interesting.  Plus, it was right there next to me.

A List

1.  The Carleton teaching is winding down.  It's been an amazing learning experience, and I'm kinda sad to leave.  I am looking forward to having more time to work on the dissertation though.  And I won't miss that drive.  

2.  The dissertation needs some serious work.  The data collection is ongoing.  I conducted a couple of interviews this week and will do more next week.  But what am I finding?  That I cannot answer.  Trying not to worry yet.

3.  I am on my fourth week of a chest cold.  I think I am less disgusting at this point, but the coughing fits continue.  Had a small one in class yesterday. 

4.  Despite the cold, I have been making it to they gym regularly, and I plan to go back to yoga this weekend.  I've made it there only once in the last four weeks and my ujjayi pranayama was seriously hindered. 

5.  Dave and I went on our 3rd annual North Shore cross-country ski trip last weekend. Best weather we've had.  Simply gorgeous.  Here's some of the sky.  Three days of skiing and 50km total.  The knee is still sore. 

6.  I am counting down the days until my nephew arrives.  We bought him a stuffed moose up north so that he'll have a little Minnesota in his life.  We named him (the moose) Thermoose (inspired by my thermos), and we've been talking to him regularly.  Is there any clearer sign that we must get a dog? 

7.  I can't get enough of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.  Kim Yu-na.  AMAZING.

8.  Planning to read some of Olive Kitteridge this weekend and watch The Proposal.  Right after I finish my part of the NRC and NAME conference proposals -- which I am starting right now.

From My Husband

"I try to be attracted to you, but most of the time you make me want to puke."

Happy Valentine's Day indeed.

Phoenix

I'm sitting in the Phoenix airport right now waiting to board a flight back to a winter world where shoveling awaits.  Dave is attending a conference and I came along to enjoy the weather.  We went on this fantastic hike in the mountains south of the city yesterday and had lunch at this amazing farm.  I kept reminding Dave of what a lovely, peaceful day we had in an attempt to lower his blood pressure during the Vikings game.  We weren't able to get a table in the hotel bar during half time, and that was for the best, because -- I won't lie -- things were thrown during the game.  We've both recovered now.  And I've decided to cheer for the Saints in the big game.  Dave, however, hasn't made that leap.

Intro (On So Many Levels)

We figured out the school thing, but choosing groups was messy.  I guess that's true no matter where you teach, and I think that only one student was upset about a) WHO is in her group and b) WHERE her group decided to go.  I thanked her at the end of class for her flexibility which was a way of saying it would be nice if she COULD BE flexible because she seemed to be on the verge of really NOT being flexible.  This preemptive form of positive reinforcement is one that I've been using in my teaching for years.  Middle school students were usually quite receptive, but I can't say yet how it's going to fly with  your average liberal arts college student.

Can We Visit YOUR School? Really. I'm Asking.

I am happy to report that there were no major blunders the first day.  There may be a blunder in this first week, though, as I am learning that it's not so easy to get students into schools.  Let's just say that this particular small town where I teach is overrun with college students who need to get into the public schools for various projects.  And to their credit, the schools have a decent policy in place to keep from feeling overburdened by the requirements of professors (like me) who count on their open doors.

I can dig the protocol stuff sometimes.  But I'm nice.  And I think my students are too.  So shouldn't we get special treatment just this once?

I think so.

Mostly, I'm Terrified

I start teaching on Tuesday at my alma mater, Carleton College.  When I began there as a student over sixteen years ago (SIXTEEN YEARS AGO?!?), I felt rather certain that I had landed there by some mistake of destiny and that I didn't actually fit amid the crowd of super-achiever and smarty-pants students.  Naturally, I am feeling the same way about teaching there as a visiting instructor in education.

As a student, I got over the feeling of not fitting there and found Carleton to be the most perfect school for my interests and ideas and for shaping who I would become -- and continue to become -- in the world.

I am doing my best to trust that it will once again challenge me in all the right and important ways as I develop who I'll be as a professor too.