updates
I haven't written in this thing for a long time, so I though a little update was in order. The period between spring and summer semesters is pitifully brief. During the regular semesters I always plan to do an impossible amount of things in the summer, forgetting that having a full time job is a bit time consuming. Right now I'm partially attempting to: learn french; exercise everyday; brush up on at least the last 500 years of Western European history-particularly the world wars; begin practicing yoga in ernest; learn how to cook something other than jambalaya, eggs or scones; acquaint myself with the larger mexican religious trends before taking a seminar in the fall; learn how to sew; plan a European vacation.
This is crazy and chaotic and impossible, dammit. My trunk is more full of books than during the regular semester and I have checked out all of the audio books, VHS and DVDs the library will allow.
I think I'm taunting myself with all of the things I might be able to pursue after I graduate, it keeps me from getting too depressed. Oh, did I mention how much I just want to relax or go to the movies or something? I have actually been able to go to my little sister's softball game, unheard of during the regular semester.
So far I've learned some French numbers and the alphabet, as we'll as how to say "I'm going to the movies with three friends", which, as I understand it, is a phrase no tourist can do without. I have been exercising regularly, though not everyday. As for the last 500 years of Western European history, I'm reading a book about WWII cartoons. It's actually a pretty good way to get an overview of opinions during a time period. The yoga just hasn't happened-a pity because I know it would do me good. I did learn how to make jerk sauce, which is, of course, the first thing every young woman should learn to make before moving out of her parents' house and kitchen.
As for Mexican religion, I'm still pretty much in the dark. This fall I will be taking a seminar on the role of missionaries and religion in colonialism. Each student will have to focus on a particular region for research, and I know I want to stick to the Western hemisphere, but I'm torn as to which region to concentrate on. I thought the course would be a nice follow-up to the Native American justice class I took in the spring.
Sewing...well, at the top of my closet there is a duffel bag full of clothes needing hemming or some kind of repair.
Europe is coming along a lot better than the other things. Tony and I BOUGHT AIRLINE TICKETS!!!!!!!! We are flying into AMSTERDAM on August 1 and out of PARIS on August 15th!!!!!!!!! (wait, that deserves more exclamation points) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was hard to give up on going to London, but I felt that I couldn't step foot on English soil without going to the Lake District. Three countries in two weeks was really stretching it anyway. I also think it would be more feasible at some point in the future to take a trip to England, while a repeat of the two-week meandering through Benelux and France is much less likely. (Maybe I'm going to have to be a teacher. The idea of only having 2 weeks vacation in a year gives me hives.) I'm concerned that Tony isn't going to be able to get me back on the plane.
Just a bit excited... My parents are giving me the money to do this as a graduation present. I won't actually graduate until December, but last semester I completed my 142nd hour, well over the amount I needed to finish my 1st degree. It's really nice to know that if something crazy were to happen, and I couldn't finish my second degree, that I already have one.
Tony is going to be out of town for most of June and July, so I'll be spending more time is the wonderful and exotic capitol city.
This is crazy and chaotic and impossible, dammit. My trunk is more full of books than during the regular semester and I have checked out all of the audio books, VHS and DVDs the library will allow.
I think I'm taunting myself with all of the things I might be able to pursue after I graduate, it keeps me from getting too depressed. Oh, did I mention how much I just want to relax or go to the movies or something? I have actually been able to go to my little sister's softball game, unheard of during the regular semester.
So far I've learned some French numbers and the alphabet, as we'll as how to say "I'm going to the movies with three friends", which, as I understand it, is a phrase no tourist can do without. I have been exercising regularly, though not everyday. As for the last 500 years of Western European history, I'm reading a book about WWII cartoons. It's actually a pretty good way to get an overview of opinions during a time period. The yoga just hasn't happened-a pity because I know it would do me good. I did learn how to make jerk sauce, which is, of course, the first thing every young woman should learn to make before moving out of her parents' house and kitchen.
As for Mexican religion, I'm still pretty much in the dark. This fall I will be taking a seminar on the role of missionaries and religion in colonialism. Each student will have to focus on a particular region for research, and I know I want to stick to the Western hemisphere, but I'm torn as to which region to concentrate on. I thought the course would be a nice follow-up to the Native American justice class I took in the spring.
Sewing...well, at the top of my closet there is a duffel bag full of clothes needing hemming or some kind of repair.
Europe is coming along a lot better than the other things. Tony and I BOUGHT AIRLINE TICKETS!!!!!!!! We are flying into AMSTERDAM on August 1 and out of PARIS on August 15th!!!!!!!!! (wait, that deserves more exclamation points) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was hard to give up on going to London, but I felt that I couldn't step foot on English soil without going to the Lake District. Three countries in two weeks was really stretching it anyway. I also think it would be more feasible at some point in the future to take a trip to England, while a repeat of the two-week meandering through Benelux and France is much less likely. (Maybe I'm going to have to be a teacher. The idea of only having 2 weeks vacation in a year gives me hives.) I'm concerned that Tony isn't going to be able to get me back on the plane.
Just a bit excited... My parents are giving me the money to do this as a graduation present. I won't actually graduate until December, but last semester I completed my 142nd hour, well over the amount I needed to finish my 1st degree. It's really nice to know that if something crazy were to happen, and I couldn't finish my second degree, that I already have one.
Tony is going to be out of town for most of June and July, so I'll be spending more time is the wonderful and exotic capitol city.