(no subject)
I went in to work this morning and had left by 11:30, feeling a little not-too-good. Spent the day sleeping in my bed, and I feel so much better. And so comfortable. And so relieved not to have spent the day in my half of the cubicle reading and summarizing files. I am ready for the internship to end. I've learned a lot, but 8 weeks is plenty and 10 is maybe too much. That being said, the rest of this week and the next two weeks do have some interesting things in store - I'm going to some big official sounding meetings and I'm going to listen to people evaluate projects in film, music, literature, history, etc. which should be fun to watch. I guess. I'd rather be the person on the other side of the grant, asking to do something, rather than overseeing and reading about what other people are doing. I guess NEH is kind of like living life from the sidelines. Visiting what other people are doing.
Although on Monday I visited an amazing thing - a month-long institute for high school english teachers to study at the Folger Shakespeare Library, handling original documents, listening to lectures by well known scholars, and participating in acting and reading workshops. Amazing. I had so much fun, I loved the English teachers all, and was kind of inspired to be one, although probably I won't be. Moreover, I was inspired that the government gives money for this kind of program, which I think is so important. All of these teachers were soooo excited about and knowledgeable about Shakespeare by the time we got there, the beginning of the last week of the program. How valuable that must be for their students! For years, affecting so many people! My English teacher senior year had taken a course on Joyce years ago and his enthusiasm for the subject really pushed our class in ways I think he otherwise never could have pushed us - he wasn't, honestly, a very good teacher, but when he did Joyce it was wonderful. Teaching teachers is so important. So, I'm glad NEH exists, I just don't necessarily want to be there anymore. Which I guess is good, since there's only 2 1/2 weeks left. Can't wait to wear casual clothing, study what I want to, have a flexible schedule, and feel like all parts of my life are full and fulfilling.
Sunday night Rebecca comes home for a few days, Monday Dad leaves for Toronto. So we all get one night together before we separate again for who knows how long. Thanksgiving? Winter break? Maybe not even then. I guess it's better not to speculate but to take things as they come. I hope Sunday night is magical. Mom is planning a barbecue dinner, family board games, perusing old photo albums. Sounds perfect.
Although on Monday I visited an amazing thing - a month-long institute for high school english teachers to study at the Folger Shakespeare Library, handling original documents, listening to lectures by well known scholars, and participating in acting and reading workshops. Amazing. I had so much fun, I loved the English teachers all, and was kind of inspired to be one, although probably I won't be. Moreover, I was inspired that the government gives money for this kind of program, which I think is so important. All of these teachers were soooo excited about and knowledgeable about Shakespeare by the time we got there, the beginning of the last week of the program. How valuable that must be for their students! For years, affecting so many people! My English teacher senior year had taken a course on Joyce years ago and his enthusiasm for the subject really pushed our class in ways I think he otherwise never could have pushed us - he wasn't, honestly, a very good teacher, but when he did Joyce it was wonderful. Teaching teachers is so important. So, I'm glad NEH exists, I just don't necessarily want to be there anymore. Which I guess is good, since there's only 2 1/2 weeks left. Can't wait to wear casual clothing, study what I want to, have a flexible schedule, and feel like all parts of my life are full and fulfilling.
Sunday night Rebecca comes home for a few days, Monday Dad leaves for Toronto. So we all get one night together before we separate again for who knows how long. Thanksgiving? Winter break? Maybe not even then. I guess it's better not to speculate but to take things as they come. I hope Sunday night is magical. Mom is planning a barbecue dinner, family board games, perusing old photo albums. Sounds perfect.