To fully test the zeal of new apprentices, I usually set them a difficult task.
And... I can already tell I'm going to like these classes so much more. Seriously, talking about books for the first time in almost two years was WONDERFUL! I admit, during undergrad, I got a bit sick of all the book discussion/plot/character/motivations/themes/etc that are discussed as part of an English curriculum. But I haven't realized how much I missed it until this week.
Young Adult Lit and Reader's Advisory are going to be the perfect opportunity to get some book discussion in. It's not the only thing the classes are about so it won't monopolize the whole term but it's a very important aspect and it makes me so happy cause I missed it a lot. I can feel my English brain comng back to life.
Plus, there were a lot of familiar faces in both my classes so that makes me happy too. I like knowing there are some people that I at least recognize in my classes. I'm always open to meeting new people of course but a friendly face makes all the difference. Weirdly enough, out of my two classes, both with say 21 or 22 students, there is only 1 boy in my RA class and that is it. Usually I have at least a couple of guys in my classes but not this semester I guess.
Must say a Happy Belated Birthday to cookiedg4 and janetmaca! I hope you both had good birthdays this year.
I'm currently reading Classics for Pleasure and it mentions Georgette Heyer (which so many people seem to skip over as an unimportant writer), Emile Zola who is just awesome (Therese Raquin anyone?), Erasmus (who can be boring at times but is also remarkably witty and astute for a religious writer I think), Elizabeth Gaskell (North and South!), and Anton Chekhov amongst others. It's a really fun book actually. It gives you great reasons why reading the classics can be fun and amusing, and not just work. It's motivating me at any rate to rediscover some great writers.
Today is my mom's birthday. I didn't buy her anything which she is ok with since I'm still a bit broke from Christmas. We are doing a family dinner though tonight. Should be nice. Other than that, I'm just unwinding. I cannot believe there will be no more new Gossip Girl episodes. I love the sick but fascinating relationship of Chuck and Blair.
So, yes, that's it. Relatively quiet week but it's been a good one. I'm not at my best today but I'm hoping this feeling will pass. I hope you are all doing great though!