School of Dreams
School is so far, so awesome. I *still* haven't been to the Sustainability Seminar because first week I had to work, and apparently this week class was canceled or something. But Indigenous Peoples & Conservation, Forests and People, and Vegetable Production are AWESOME, and making UMass much more appealing. I'm finding that I'm really missing talking to my Anthro profs. from last semester though, so I'm stalking their office hours. On Friday I applied to Commonwealth College (the Honors college). It would be *awesome* if they accepted me, but I certainly won't cry if they don't... I'll just continue supplementing myself with my own connections and paths. Even Math is going alright. Friday I really, really got a problem that someone else asked the prof. The wording of the problem on the computer program we use was weird, so he was having difficulty explaining it. I raised my hand and explained it so that it was clearer, and I felt, for the first time in years, like I could have got up in front of the class and done the problem. It felt really good. I'm glad to have such a good math teacher. My only complaint about school at the moment is minor - I wish that IP & Conservation was more of a discussion and less of a lecture. But the Honors supplement to Forests and People sounds fabulous - we might visit the Catskills or even go maple-sugaring.
I'm still planning on applying to Hampshire. The Commonwealth College app is due Monday, so I did that this week. Hampshire isn't due 'til March, and I'm gonna do as Tats suggested and connect with some people there to make sure it's the best choice for me.
I guess I didn't post about that talk with him yet. It was an hour and a half long. Basically it came down to a couple of things. 1) I need to get a degree, even though I don't want to specialize. In order to make this thing a movement and not just a personal project, I need to have enough, well, authority, I suppose, backing me up, so that I develop the kind of background I need so that people will say, we're having a seminar/discussion/convention/conference on sustainability/community/whatever, we should have Saera come. 2) I should be absolutely greedy when it comes to my education. I should seek out the best professors with the best classes at the best schools. If that means going to Hampshire, so be it. If it means just picking over UMass and busting through all the red tape, so be it. If I take most classes at one school and the rest at another, great. Whatever is the best. 3) Never compromise the basic ideals of the dream. Never drop the dream, only expand it.
In related thoughts, my courage is increasing and so is my faith. Chanted half an hour every day before school except Friday, which was still 15 minutes. It was great.
I've been thinking a lot lately about fashion and how I present myself. I want to refine and polish this, while keeping it reflective of who I am and my values. Shopping with Ann and Mamta may help with this. Lots more to say, no time to say it.
Been rereading The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Heinlein is always delightful to me. Forgot Wyoh loves chai.
Kish, you're in my thoughts. Didn't know you used google chat. Hope to talk more soon.
I'm still planning on applying to Hampshire. The Commonwealth College app is due Monday, so I did that this week. Hampshire isn't due 'til March, and I'm gonna do as Tats suggested and connect with some people there to make sure it's the best choice for me.
I guess I didn't post about that talk with him yet. It was an hour and a half long. Basically it came down to a couple of things. 1) I need to get a degree, even though I don't want to specialize. In order to make this thing a movement and not just a personal project, I need to have enough, well, authority, I suppose, backing me up, so that I develop the kind of background I need so that people will say, we're having a seminar/discussion/convention/conference on sustainability/community/whatever, we should have Saera come. 2) I should be absolutely greedy when it comes to my education. I should seek out the best professors with the best classes at the best schools. If that means going to Hampshire, so be it. If it means just picking over UMass and busting through all the red tape, so be it. If I take most classes at one school and the rest at another, great. Whatever is the best. 3) Never compromise the basic ideals of the dream. Never drop the dream, only expand it.
In related thoughts, my courage is increasing and so is my faith. Chanted half an hour every day before school except Friday, which was still 15 minutes. It was great.
I've been thinking a lot lately about fashion and how I present myself. I want to refine and polish this, while keeping it reflective of who I am and my values. Shopping with Ann and Mamta may help with this. Lots more to say, no time to say it.
Been rereading The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Heinlein is always delightful to me. Forgot Wyoh loves chai.
Kish, you're in my thoughts. Didn't know you used google chat. Hope to talk more soon.