Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
a pleasant august evening
The District had a lovely summer evening. Though August, there’s been a cool breeze in the air for the past couple of days. It hasn’t felt like the intense August heat that I’m used to back in Texas. I’ve heard from a few folks that July is the “hot and humid” month around these parts. Hopefully they’re right, because the past couple of days have been pleasant summertime days.
Update: the tour of North/Central Texas has definitely been postponed. Sad day! I’m pretty bummed about it. I was so intent on hugging my mama and spending some quality time with beloved friends in beloved towns. And I was so freggin’ intent on purchasing a couple of cool t-shirts down South Congress-way. (Dangit!) And grabbing a beer on 6th St. to hear some cool tunes. (Dangit!) Oh well. I’m sure there’s a reason behind this and that I will see everyone at the right time.
Thankfully, I’m still headed to the West Texas Town of El Paso. And then up to the Land of Enchantment. Woo hoo! Get ready Gramma and Panchito (the cutest shih tzu around)!
So, I went to campus today and finally met the professor I’ll be TA-ing for this fall. It was SO SWEET to be on campus! Oh my goodness gracious … I am SO FREGGIN’ EXCITED to be a student again! Seriously, I don’t think I’ve been this excited about starting school. Ever. Seriously, ever. I’m pumped. Oh my goodness gracious!
In all seriousness, I am hopeful for this upcoming semester. Don’t worry folks - I’m conscious of the realities. I know it’s going to kick my ass. I know there will be tears, tears, and more tears. I know that there will be gnawing and gnashing of teeth. I know that I will want to pull my hair out in agony. And I know that I will be consistently questioning my intelligence and academic where-with-all. But, my goodness gracious, I am so thrilled about the challenge. And am so ready to experience graduate school and work toward the PhD-goal, especially now that I’m in a city that I dig living in. And now that I’ve grown-up a bit since four years ago. At least I hope I’ve grown-up a bit.
Woo hoo!
Peace.
Update: the tour of North/Central Texas has definitely been postponed. Sad day! I’m pretty bummed about it. I was so intent on hugging my mama and spending some quality time with beloved friends in beloved towns. And I was so freggin’ intent on purchasing a couple of cool t-shirts down South Congress-way. (Dangit!) And grabbing a beer on 6th St. to hear some cool tunes. (Dangit!) Oh well. I’m sure there’s a reason behind this and that I will see everyone at the right time.
Thankfully, I’m still headed to the West Texas Town of El Paso. And then up to the Land of Enchantment. Woo hoo! Get ready Gramma and Panchito (the cutest shih tzu around)!
So, I went to campus today and finally met the professor I’ll be TA-ing for this fall. It was SO SWEET to be on campus! Oh my goodness gracious … I am SO FREGGIN’ EXCITED to be a student again! Seriously, I don’t think I’ve been this excited about starting school. Ever. Seriously, ever. I’m pumped. Oh my goodness gracious!
In all seriousness, I am hopeful for this upcoming semester. Don’t worry folks - I’m conscious of the realities. I know it’s going to kick my ass. I know there will be tears, tears, and more tears. I know that there will be gnawing and gnashing of teeth. I know that I will want to pull my hair out in agony. And I know that I will be consistently questioning my intelligence and academic where-with-all. But, my goodness gracious, I am so thrilled about the challenge. And am so ready to experience graduate school and work toward the PhD-goal, especially now that I’m in a city that I dig living in. And now that I’ve grown-up a bit since four years ago. At least I hope I’ve grown-up a bit.
Woo hoo!
Peace.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
good news & bad news
Good News:
Boston was really, really good. I went for an annual gathering of sociologists. It reminded me of the sweetness of sociology and how necessary it is to have a critical-eye.
A highlight was attending a session/salon honoring one of my former professors, the man who taught me “Introduction to Sociology” back in Texas. His lectures were a major reason why I chose to major in Sociology. So it was fitting that seven years later, as I’m about to embark on a new sociological adventure in a new land, I was able to watch this now revered professor receive accolades from his academic community.
What was particularly great about Boston was getting to surround myself with old friends and colleagues. Seven of us fit into a room, so, as you can imagine, craziness did in fact ensue. No drama, just silliness. Much needed silliness. It was special to be around these folks and to laugh and be myself with them while concurrently participating in the celebration and gathering of the profession we’ve chosen.
Though I didn’t get to see a lot of Boston, I did enjoy what I saw. We traveled by the T to Cambridge and strolled around Harvard for a bit. The area reminded me a lot of Berkeley - a university “village” in the midst of a sprawling city. The parts of Cambridge and Boston that I saw were well-kept (beautiful, fresh hanging-plants hanging from all of the street lights and in the median of all the roads), and you could smell and sense the oldness and history of the city.
Bad News:
On another note, I may not travel to Texas as originally planned. (Darn free tickets with block-out dates!) BUT, I’m still road-tripping with Gramma from West Texas to New Mexico. The tour of North/Central Texas may have to be postponed though. I’ll keep you updated.
Back to the Good News:
I didn’t take as many pictures of Boston as I would have liked, but here are a couple for fun.
Peace.
Gates Around Harvard
Harvard Street
Hanging Plants Everywhere
Boston was really, really good. I went for an annual gathering of sociologists. It reminded me of the sweetness of sociology and how necessary it is to have a critical-eye.
A highlight was attending a session/salon honoring one of my former professors, the man who taught me “Introduction to Sociology” back in Texas. His lectures were a major reason why I chose to major in Sociology. So it was fitting that seven years later, as I’m about to embark on a new sociological adventure in a new land, I was able to watch this now revered professor receive accolades from his academic community.
What was particularly great about Boston was getting to surround myself with old friends and colleagues. Seven of us fit into a room, so, as you can imagine, craziness did in fact ensue. No drama, just silliness. Much needed silliness. It was special to be around these folks and to laugh and be myself with them while concurrently participating in the celebration and gathering of the profession we’ve chosen.
Though I didn’t get to see a lot of Boston, I did enjoy what I saw. We traveled by the T to Cambridge and strolled around Harvard for a bit. The area reminded me a lot of Berkeley - a university “village” in the midst of a sprawling city. The parts of Cambridge and Boston that I saw were well-kept (beautiful, fresh hanging-plants hanging from all of the street lights and in the median of all the roads), and you could smell and sense the oldness and history of the city.
Bad News:
On another note, I may not travel to Texas as originally planned. (Darn free tickets with block-out dates!) BUT, I’m still road-tripping with Gramma from West Texas to New Mexico. The tour of North/Central Texas may have to be postponed though. I’ll keep you updated.
Back to the Good News:
I didn’t take as many pictures of Boston as I would have liked, but here are a couple for fun.
Peace.
Gates Around Harvard
Harvard Street
Hanging Plants Everywhere
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