This is only sort of about school. Just wondering tonight how it is that my biggest stress in life is preparing for a test next week for a class that I am only taking because I want to. I don't need to have this college degree to live. No one's future is ridinig on the result of this test. I just want to learn more and maybe teach someday.
It doesn't seem fair that this is my biggest problem. So many have so much to handle. People I love dearly are required every day to be courageous in ways I can barely understand. Gary says to stop analyzing, knock on wood, and shut up already. (He's more than a little superstitious) Guess all I can do is be grateful, do my best to support my loved ones, be a good wife and mom, and become a great teacher someday. If God gives you opportunity, at the end of the day you'd better help someone...
jenn
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Quite an Experience
Going back to school at the age of 38 is quite an experience. I've been thinking for a while I'd like to write down some of the funny, painful, stressful things that have happened to me since I went back to college. I have stories about parking, pep rallies, TA's, finals, cell phones, gender relationships, family struggles etc. The plan is to use this blog as a journal about being in school. I'm doing it as a blog mostly to motivate me, but also because there might be someone (perhaps just my mom) interested in reading it.
So if you read, do so at your own risk and realize that I will probably rant, rave, think my own jokes are funny, and generally enjoy the sound of my own voice. But a blog is a nice safe place to do that, because you are al free to ignore me if you wish:)
So if you read, do so at your own risk and realize that I will probably rant, rave, think my own jokes are funny, and generally enjoy the sound of my own voice. But a blog is a nice safe place to do that, because you are al free to ignore me if you wish:)
Sonnets
We have been studying sonnets in English 291. I seriously like them. Shakespeare is a genius (I know, hardly a revelation) as are many others: Wyatt, Sydney, Surrey, Spenser, Sidney. Recently we were given the assignment to write a sonnet. So in the spirit of show and tell, I'm sharing.
First is the sonnet I composed for my class assignment. If you could all not let my kids know I wrote about some parental frustrations, that would be great:)
Then there is a totally silly sonnet about our cat. It came about because while I was still considering what my subject matter should be for the sonnet assignment,Gary
And finally, the dumbest of the sonnets. We each had to present a Shakespearean sonnet to the class. Mine was number 36. The professor challenged us to do something creative in our presentation, so I wrote a sonnet about Shakespeare's sonnet 36. Other than being 14 lines long and following the proper rhyme pattern, there is nothing about its subject like that of a real sonnet, but oh well!
The Waiting Game
Fruit of my loins I cannot deem to train,
The hamper settles not within her breast.
Her closet parts to shower fiercest rain,
On beds and lamps its bowels come to rest.
Of grace and gentle nature does she brim,
All happy songs, serene until I dare
Suggest that socks should not the desk to trim,
Then quickly dodge as darts hiss through the air.
Yet still when kneeling words I speak at night,
Soft to my mind and heart she wends her way.
For mess, affront, and wounded heart aside,
A timid hope and patience doth reside.
I plead for youth that time will guide its way
Petition tortured tongue in place of blight.
Feline Discovery
Tonight my routine dinner was disturbed
The crunchy, tuna-fishy grain did not
Clink ‘round my bowl, I found I was perturbed
As meow mix from my master have I sought
But lo, aroma tickles at my nose
Desire takes me, oh what heav'nly scent!
For salmon scraps to feline smell as rose
What bliss and glory give, my mind is bent
Upon a taste, my belly asks for more
A kingly feast, now lick the last bits clean
A taste of heav’n, and I, a seafood whore
But old, dry food will once again be seen
And I my nose shall turn, while holding wish
For tuna-fishy’s not the same as fish!
Sonnet 36
Song 36, we'll analyze by line
Shakespearean rhyme, iambic meter true
Some words repeat, as ‘honoured’ and ‘mine'
The second line to words of Paul allude
Some antonyms are used like ‘spite,’ ‘delight’
And ‘one’ paired with, ‘alone’ are synonym
The characters of love, belov’d are right
So now review the problem of the hymn
Find two in love who now as one can’t be
These two must part by scandal yet unnamed
One lover pleads, "do not acknowledge me"
For it would never do to bring you shame
The final couplet serves to say once more
He needs her reputation be secure
First is the sonnet I composed for my class assignment. If you could all not let my kids know I wrote about some parental frustrations, that would be great:)
Then there is a totally silly sonnet about our cat. It came about because while I was still considering what my subject matter should be for the sonnet assignment,
And finally, the dumbest of the sonnets. We each had to present a Shakespearean sonnet to the class. Mine was number 36. The professor challenged us to do something creative in our presentation, so I wrote a sonnet about Shakespeare's sonnet 36. Other than being 14 lines long and following the proper rhyme pattern, there is nothing about its subject like that of a real sonnet, but oh well!
The Waiting Game
Fruit of my loins I cannot deem to train,
The hamper settles not within her breast.
Her closet parts to shower fiercest rain,
On beds and lamps its bowels come to rest.
Of grace and gentle nature does she brim,
All happy songs, serene until I dare
Suggest that socks should not the desk to trim,
Then quickly dodge as darts hiss through the air.
Yet still when kneeling words I speak at night,
Soft to my mind and heart she wends her way.
For mess, affront, and wounded heart aside,
A timid hope and patience doth reside.
I plead for youth that time will guide its way
Petition tortured tongue in place of blight.
Feline Discovery
Tonight my routine dinner was disturbed
The crunchy, tuna-fishy grain did not
Clink ‘round my bowl, I found I was perturbed
As meow mix from my master have I sought
But lo, aroma tickles at my nose
Desire takes me, oh what heav'nly scent!
For salmon scraps to feline smell as rose
What bliss and glory give, my mind is bent
Upon a taste, my belly asks for more
A kingly feast, now lick the last bits clean
A taste of heav’n, and I, a seafood whore
But old, dry food will once again be seen
And I my nose shall turn, while holding wish
For tuna-fishy’s not the same as fish!
Sonnet 36
Song 36, we'll analyze by line
Shakespearean rhyme, iambic meter true
Some words repeat, as ‘honoured’ and ‘mine'
The second line to words of Paul allude
Some antonyms are used like ‘spite,’ ‘delight’
And ‘one’ paired with, ‘alone’ are synonym
The characters of love, belov’d are right
So now review the problem of the hymn
Find two in love who now as one can’t be
These two must part by scandal yet unnamed
One lover pleads, "do not acknowledge me"
For it would never do to bring you shame
The final couplet serves to say once more
He needs her reputation be secure
Guilt
Today's back to school topic is guilt. Although I do have some funny anecdotes about school, today's entry will not be one of them. Guilt is nothing new, I am a Mormon mom after all, so guilt and I have met once or twice in the past. Mid-terms are next week, and I'm feeling the heat. Still, I try had to put the kids first. My husband was at a funeral in AZ last weekend so I spent lots of time with my kiddos then even though it meant neglecting my studies. I took them to breakfast Saturday morning and that night we watched a movie and did facials. Sunday we went to church, went to choir practice, went to another choir practice, and I played a game with the kids. Monday everyone was home from school (including myself and the hubby) so we went to lunch and bowling.
By the time Tuesday rolled around, I was feeling quite behind in the old studies. So I decided it was time to buckle down, get serious, hit the books. Then today my 15 year old informed me I'm neglecting my motherly duties by going to school. Zing. Let me explain a little. He says he didn't mind so much last semester when all my classes were squarely in the daytime. This semester I have afternoon classes. Three times a week I don't get home until about 5:30. I didn't want to take a late class, but I ran into scheduling difficulty that is boring, but legitimate. So despite the fact that the hubby has been home by 3:30 both days this week that I've been late (and often is), I'm shirking my duties. Add to that increased study time this week, and I'm in the doghouse. Four months of home late a few times a week and all my hard work for the last 18 years is null and void.
Thing is, I don't have it in me to decide he's just being a pain in the butt teenager. No, I'm a mom. I love my kids. The worst thing lets see... ever, would be for them to think they are not number one on my list.
So, not a lot of good options here folks. Guilty about not studying if I go downstairs and watch American Idol with my kids. Guilty about not being with my kids if I stay here and study. Awesome.
Love being back in school. Don't love this.
By the time Tuesday rolled around, I was feeling quite behind in the old studies. So I decided it was time to buckle down, get serious, hit the books. Then today my 15 year old informed me I'm neglecting my motherly duties by going to school. Zing. Let me explain a little. He says he didn't mind so much last semester when all my classes were squarely in the daytime. This semester I have afternoon classes. Three times a week I don't get home until about 5:30. I didn't want to take a late class, but I ran into scheduling difficulty that is boring, but legitimate. So despite the fact that the hubby has been home by 3:30 both days this week that I've been late (and often is), I'm shirking my duties. Add to that increased study time this week, and I'm in the doghouse. Four months of home late a few times a week and all my hard work for the last 18 years is null and void.
Thing is, I don't have it in me to decide he's just being a pain in the butt teenager. No, I'm a mom. I love my kids. The worst thing lets see... ever, would be for them to think they are not number one on my list.
So, not a lot of good options here folks. Guilty about not studying if I go downstairs and watch American Idol with my kids. Guilty about not being with my kids if I stay here and study. Awesome.
Love being back in school. Don't love this.
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