Wow, I haven’t updated this in awhile. I’m going backward:

Currently reading:

Wilderness Tips by Margaret Atwood (short stories that keep bringing up the women’s movement in different ways)

Books Read:

Cat’s Eye by Atwood
Falling Through the Earth: A Memoir by Danielle Trussoni
Moral Geography: Maps, Missionaries, and the America… by Amy DeRogatis
The Common Ground of Womanhood: Class, Gender, and W…by Priscilla Murolo
Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner
Race, Gender, and Work: A Multicultural Economic History by Teresa Amott
Moral Disorder: and Other Stories by Margaret Atwood
Baby Proof by Emily Giffin
Something Blue by Emily Giffin
Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Graduate Study for the Twenty-First Century by Gregory M. Colon Semenza
Over the Edge of the World: Magellan’s Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe by Laurence Bergreen
Surfacing by Margaret Atwood
In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin
The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta
Then We Came to the End: A Novel by Joshua Ferris

Basically, I spent the first part of the year reading what I wanted to fiction wise: Then We Came the End and The Abstinence Teacher were both very witty and sarcastic (as Perotta usually is.) Then I switched gears and tried to read more about my Patagonia trip.  Over the Edge of the World was surprisingly riveting for me.  I didn’t think I’d like it as much as I but I was happy to read while I visited the actual Straights of Magellan.

As soon as I found out I got into graduate school, I started to read some books that I thought would be necessary to read before I began. This, unfortunately, has not been going as well as I hoped–mostly because I have been very unfocused in that area lately.  I am going to get back into it as soon as I finish Wilderness Tips by Atwood.

One area that has been successful is the Atwood. I do adore her writing and am happy to report that I equally liked Surfacing, Moral Disorder, Cat’s Eye, and–almost done with– Wilderness Tips. Next up is Oryx & Crake. I want to read some of her poetry but I never really just sit down and read poetry for pleasure. I did it in high school and a bit in college and then analyzed it.  I think I may enjoy poetry by Atwood though.

I want to get back to a month to month list of books read.  Next up is a long list of books I WANT to read. I may have to abandon reading books for fun sooner than later. But I find this whole academia *FUN* right? Right.

FIN

is going to change considerably from commentary on randomness (politics, pop culture, feminism, mormonism etc.) to more personal, hyped, in full panic mode posts about preparation for the great beyond AKA grad school.

Of course, except to see some pop culture posts from time to time.

Sincerely, Ms. Rose

Was browsing some blogs when I came across the Religion in American History blog and this hilarious list You might by a graduate student if…

Some of my favorites:

…you’ve ever traveled across two state lines specifically to go to a library.
…5:00 p.m. Friday means you are now scheduled to work for the next 48 hours.
…you find the bibliographies of books more interesting than the actual text.
…some of those continuing education classes sound interesting.

And to think I thought I *really* understood this when I was finishing my M.A. Yeah right! I’m in for a real treat!

Its time to get ready for grad school and that means getting on top of my reading.  Earlier this week I started to read Race, Gender & Work by Teresa Amott and Julie Matthaei. I was actually assigned to read this book before I started my MA program in women’s history but I never did.  Well, I am very glad I recently started to peruse it.  I am only about 100 pages in but so far I have read about Native American women and Chicana women.  It certainly helps me with my conceptualization of race, gender, work and the idea of “place.” I really want to learn more about the history of Mexico and Mexican colonization prior to the US - Mexico war.  I have a book on my shelf about that. Need to do some digging around for books about that.  I have also ordered some books by some of the professors whom I will be studying with next year. I am very enthused to say the least.

Also in preparation for next year, I need to investigate my memberships for the

American Historical Assocation

Organization of American Historians

I joined them last December but never really figure out how to login.  One of them sends my information to my parents house. Must correct address forward soon.