This has been one of those weeks where bad stuff happens
- lost documents on computers
- lost car keys
- never feeling like you got enough done!
I went to a grad class yesterday where we read a book in which I had trouble grasping the major concepts. I hate those days when you’re cut up in the midst of imposter syndrome. I am always wondering if I am at the same level as the other people in the program. Ultimately, I know I am, for the most part. There are a few people ahead of me in a few ways and others slightly behind.
OK, so I don’t live in a real big city anymore and it isn’t so warm here now. Its been in the 60s here the past few days. Um it should be warmer. It should at least be in the low to mid 70s by now. But this isn’t a weather blog because that would be boring.
I survived my first year of grad school which makes me very happy. It hasn’t been easy or perfect by any means. This last semester has been particularly hard because I realized some things I DON’T want to focus my dissertation on. The problem is that I need to figure out what I want to focus on. Everyone keeps giving me advice which I appreciate, but sometimes I need less noise and more of own personal focus. I tend to discover more through looking at the larger picture than focusing on a smaller strand. I am taking this summer to do a lot of reading in my areas of interest (under the guise of a directed reading/independent study.) My mind is opening up a lot more regarding possible project ideas.
My husband and I have been away for the last few weekends: in Illinois for a conference over Memorial Day and visiting family in Northern MI. This weekend I return to NYC. This will be my second time back after moving almost a year ago. Honestly, I’m surprised I haven’t been back more. I didn’t have a specific amount of trips I’d be taking back in my mind when I moved. I’m sad that this may be my only time there this summer but perhaps I’ll be back more than I think.
I’m learning the hard way that summers in academia don’t mean “summers off.” I knew this but I am not getting as much time as I had hopefully, originally anticipated. In the future, I just need to take time for me and my husband for just us.
I have lofty goals for this summer like cleaning the bathroom–really cleaning it with bleach and staying on top of laundry.
oh and blogging more.
Just a thought-
Coreligionist seems like an awkward way to say “an adherent of the same religion as another person.” via the dictionary on my mac
This “crisis” is premature, but I am currently dealing with a quandary regarding potential research ideas. I have a the opportunity to apply for research/language funding through my department this summer which is great. However, the language that I will choose to learn is deeply wrapped up with the research I will pursue. I’m only required to learn one as an Americanist BUT I am not opposed to learning two.
Here is the further conundrum, I also have the opportunity to do research in the archives in lieue of a language. I feel more comfortable with this choice but many people have told me that (1) its better to get the language out of the way and (2) archives can be daunting when you don’t know what you’re looking for. My issue is that learning the language I am thinking of can be so specific that if I spend a summer doing that and don’t pursue that further it would be a waste. Whereas visiting an archival respository will be beneficial because it is good experience even if I walk away with material that I won’t use. As one can tell, I am leading toward the archival option. I want to be 100% sure I am learning a language that I will be using. If I do go look at archives this summer, I will be mostly be looking at documents in English.
I’m glad I wrote this out… Of course, there is a WHOLE other side to this I am not writing about which mostly pertains to WHAT my dissertation topic will exactly be.
I haven’t updated in over a month, mostly because when I attempt to update I am unsure of what to say. How do I explain a month long absence beside gradschool, gradschool, gradschool.
Things are moving along swimmingly this semester. Some of my plans are to
- do a quick research trip over spring break
- apply to a grad student conference
- and maybe attend another conference
I have a new dissertation idea every 5 minutes but it all fits in the realm of my larger research topics of gender, religion, migration and US history.
And, of course, the house is NEVER clean enough.
What have you been up to?
“Melrose Place” Remake in the Works
WHAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Nothing is truly sacred anymore.
I’ve been to the same salon twice since I’ve moved to town. The hairdressers always want to talk about my personal life…
THey ask questions like
- Are you married?
- Do you have kids?
- Where do you live? (not an exact address but if I live in an apartment complex, which one etc etc.)
The first time the hairdresser asked me about my marital status, and I replied that yes I am married…
She said: “How is that working out for you?”
!?!?!?!
Second time, the next hairdresser and I were discussing how I am in graduate school and she says
“At least you got your marriage out of the way”
Right, marriage is that thing I was glad that I got out of the way!
This is my mother working on my wedding dress. That thing I wore that day that I got marriage out of the way!