I Don't Want to Grow Up!
Those of you who have known me a while know that I've been struggling to determine what to do with my life. I had wanted to go to translation school, but it looks like UIUC's MA program is on hold indefinitely. So, I began to think that maybe I should get teacher certification in Japanese. I don't know that I'd be the best teacher, but I love the language and hopefully, I could make class fun. Unfortunately, there are only two schools in the state of Illinois that offer certification to teach Japanese: UIUC and DePaul. Looking at the UIUC website, it says those in possession of a BA should contact the head of their language department. Of course, I followed these instructions and did so, only to learn that the Japanese teacher certification program is only open to undergraduates at this time and the department doesn't know when the graduate equivalent will be approved. So, it's just like the translation program there: on indefinite hold.
DePaul, on the other hand, does offer certification for graduate students. There are some benefits to DePaul certainly, namely that it's in my city and not far from my neighbourhood. All I would have to do is hop on the 74 bus. However, I am wary of attending a private, Catholic university, and I am also a little concerned that I'm selling myself short, as my undergraduate school was considerably more prestigious. Looking at their requirements for the program, they are quite similar to those at UIUC, and I still have to take the OPI in order to student teach, so it shouldn't be a horrible program. However, I've read rather mixed reviews of the school, so if anyone has any advice, I gladly welcome it.
I've also thought of attending library school, as you all know, but I'm very attached to Japanese. I don't want to have earned my degree in vain, and I'd like even more to be able to use it. It's times like this that I truly hate being a grown-up.
On a completely unrelated note, when I have money, I want to make little business cards and hand them out to people who ought to be lolita. The cards would say they should join us, what lolita is, and have a link to the Chicago community and Lolita handbook. I had this thought yesterday morning on my way to work. When I was waiting to cross a street near my house, I saw a girl wearing rainbow-coloured sneakers and carrying a Disney princess bookbag. I should probably note that she looked to be a high school student. I later saw another girl downtown carrying a messenger bag with cupcake patches sewn onto it.
Now, I realize that a total stranger in frilly clothes handing a person a business card like that might seem crazy, but to me it seems like it would be more beneficial than to simply tell the stranger the same thing. If one spoke, the stranger would likely just shrug it off, but with a business card, by some slight chance, she might pocket it and look at the sites upon reaching home.
Final thought: I saw an ebony chin on Craigslist and want him desperately now!
DePaul, on the other hand, does offer certification for graduate students. There are some benefits to DePaul certainly, namely that it's in my city and not far from my neighbourhood. All I would have to do is hop on the 74 bus. However, I am wary of attending a private, Catholic university, and I am also a little concerned that I'm selling myself short, as my undergraduate school was considerably more prestigious. Looking at their requirements for the program, they are quite similar to those at UIUC, and I still have to take the OPI in order to student teach, so it shouldn't be a horrible program. However, I've read rather mixed reviews of the school, so if anyone has any advice, I gladly welcome it.
I've also thought of attending library school, as you all know, but I'm very attached to Japanese. I don't want to have earned my degree in vain, and I'd like even more to be able to use it. It's times like this that I truly hate being a grown-up.
On a completely unrelated note, when I have money, I want to make little business cards and hand them out to people who ought to be lolita. The cards would say they should join us, what lolita is, and have a link to the Chicago community and Lolita handbook. I had this thought yesterday morning on my way to work. When I was waiting to cross a street near my house, I saw a girl wearing rainbow-coloured sneakers and carrying a Disney princess bookbag. I should probably note that she looked to be a high school student. I later saw another girl downtown carrying a messenger bag with cupcake patches sewn onto it.
Now, I realize that a total stranger in frilly clothes handing a person a business card like that might seem crazy, but to me it seems like it would be more beneficial than to simply tell the stranger the same thing. If one spoke, the stranger would likely just shrug it off, but with a business card, by some slight chance, she might pocket it and look at the sites upon reaching home.
Final thought: I saw an ebony chin on Craigslist and want him desperately now!