Minischool

chō no kage sasu

You know, sometimes I wonder if it might be time to pull the plug on this blog altogether. My updates are intermittent, the good parts are far and in between. Maybe I’m suffering from information overload or burn-out. Probably both. Perhaps I should just opt-out temporarily…which reminds me of this video…


Google Opt Out Feature Lets Users Protect Privacy By Moving To Remote Village

Really now, that is just too amusing.

Currently working on my term paper for ENGL 304 (you know, that topic deserves a post of its own, come to think of it) while also sorting through the swath that is SUS Finance. Not to mention the job.

*sigh* Finals are about to be upon us. Whither shall I run?

Oh and for those keeping track, I’m thinking of dropping out of Science Co-op. Anyone want to offer their advice?

Saturday, November 21st, 2009 BIOL 240, ENGL 304, Minischool, SUS, Technology 3 Comments

And if I’m flying solo, at least I’m flying free

With the end of September fast approaching, it’s difficult to retain any semblance of the enthusiasm I originally had at the end of August. This is not surprising (at least not to the initiated university students – bless those first years’ hearts). It’s safe to say school dominates my thinking; I wake up and sleep, thinking about school.

That is not to say that I don’t have other priorities. I like to imagine that I’m reasonably able at my job. All is calm save for some exceptional difficulties through which I’m working. I keep reminding myself to take it one step at a time. My assistant is really a blessing, though I really do worry about how she’s managing to balance time. Is that normal? Do bosses typically worry about the personal lives of their assistants? I hope I’m not overstepping any boundaries.

I thoroughly enjoy my involvement with SUS, though. My budget successfully passed executive committee even though some discussion ensued its presentation. I’m confident in my ability to lead SUS into a sustainable financial future and I hope that my vision comes through. I’m entirely optimistic.

it’s odd. I vacillate between a general malaise and a soaring optimism. It confuses and intrigues me. It feels like I’m waiting, passionately, reverently, for something. Something that I intuitively know is coming, but of which have no conscious knowledge. Fingers crossed.

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Friday, September 25th, 2009 Academics, Meditations, Minischool, SUS 1 Comment

She dropped a tear more rare than pearl

I cannot help but feel sheepishly guilty that I’ve neglected to post anything – anything – at all. Having elided details about the first half of September until now, I hope I can write down some of my meditations here.

I feel slightly overwhelmed by my courseload this term, but I’m not surprised in the least. It is just as, if not more, challenging than I had predicted to juggle so many courses. I can’t really say which courses I enjoy the most, but I feel that I have a rather well-rounded group of instructors. If I weren’t so easily intimidated, I would love to meet them personally.

My extracurricular activities have kept me rather busy. I can’t really say that I didn’t expect it, but I’m surprised by the intensity with which they come at me. I worry that calls for my resignation are merely pending; I fear that I hear whispers of my incompetence echo in the hallowed halls. I hope I don’t disappoint.

Work! It’s taken so much of my time, but it’s really rather rewarding if frustrating. I’m currently on the fence about tutoring – I feel as if I don’t have the time but I really enjoy doing it. I’m sure my students can find other tutors but that thought doesn’t assuage my guilt-ridden mind.

At any rate, it’s time to keep my chin up and get set for a very interesting term indeed. I bought a lab coat today so I finally feel as if I’m a real scientist. Huzzah!

Optimism prevails!

  1. Five of Wands
  2. Ten of Wands
  3. Three of Pentacles
  4. King of Swords
  5. Eight of Pentacles
  6. The Hermit
  7. The Sun
  8. Seven of Cups
  9. The High Priestess
  10. Justice
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 Academics, Justin the Tutor, Meditations, Minischool, SUS, Tarot 1 Comment

Ambition should be made of sterner stuff

Recently, there has been much stress building in my life due to several factors. I’ve been avoiding posting anything on the blog because I do get a little cross with myself for being an insufferable complainer. Of course, I’ve also read about the cathartic effects of maintaining a journal – how it alleviates symptoms of stress and helps people cope – but that doesn’t stop me from feeling guilty for complaining. Perhaps I have made my bed and now, in it, I must lie?

I suppose I might have bitten off more than I can chew. Work’s tragically stressful, as are my other extracurricular commitments. If I seem even paler than usual, it might just be the toxic stress getting to me. With school starting, I just hope I can manage to strike a balance among everything. I’m not hopeful.

My self-prescription? A vacation, a real one, the first one in a very long time.

Currently reading Beowulf translations, specifically the Heaney and the Liuzza.

[…]

Soon he found, who in former days,
harmful in heart and hated of God,
on many a man such murder wrought,
that the frame of his body failed him now.
For him the keen-souled kinsman of Hygelac
held in hand; hateful alive
was each to other. The outlaw dire
took mortal hurt; a mighty wound
showed on his shoulder, and sinews cracked,
and the bone-frame burst. To Beowulf now
the glory was given, and Grendel thence
death-sick his den in the dark moor sought,
noisome abode: he knew too well
that here was the last of life, an end
of his days on earth…

I will be briefly skimming over the Ecclesiastical History of the English Peoples and La Morte D’Arthur later on. I like Everyman but we’ll see if I get to it – I want to see if I can read some of The Book of Margery Kempe. Hurray for speed-reading!

Sunday, September 6th, 2009 Academics, Co-op, Literature, Meditations, Minischool, SUS 1 Comment

you’re hot then you’re cold

Awkward moment today at work:

Justin: Thanks for being really great to work with this summer! Hope you have a really great rest of your summer.

Instructor: You too! *walks over to me*

J: *reaches hand out for handshake*

I: No you silly! Hug! *hugs*

J: *feels utterly embarassed and socially awkward*

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009 Minischool No Comments