[I just might survive this week . . .]

So, how's it going this week? This past week I was in one of those 'I don't feel like doing much' moods regarding class, which is rare for me.

[Spring Semester 2019]

Congrats Sea!!! That's awesome 🤸‍♀️  ✨

I will have two Native American Studies classes - one on films and another literature class. I've already read all the books but two for the lit class, so that helps.

[Don't mind me . . . I'm just tapping my toes . . .]

YAY! Congrats! What are you taking next semester?

My grads are in and A's in both.

[Don't mind me . . . I'm just tapping my toes . . .]

Well I was lazy over the weekend, so writing the paper today. Weekends are just too entertaining with everyone home 🙂

[Don't mind me . . . I'm just tapping my toes . . .]

I have one paper to write but it's only 15 pages, so I can knock that out tomorrow. I already have the notes from all the books, I just have to write it up. Then...freeeeeedom! Till January anyway 🙂

[Everybody is so quiet: Have you all started the semester yet?]

well, i just turned in the last thing for my online class. The final project isn't due till next week - we have this week and next to do any revisions we want, but I sent it in yesterday. Today, I did the last discussion posts and that is it! I have one more book to read, and  final paper for the independent study to finish it out.

[Everybody is so quiet: Have you all started the semester yet?]

OMG Ethel, hugs and best wishes. I hope he is recovering well. Will the prof give you some leeway on due dates? I should think this definitely qualifies.

As for me, I turned in the project, and last week did the peer reviews. I"ve been pretty lazy over Thanksgiving, but after the whirlwind, I needed it. I have one more book to read, and a final paper. And, as Sassenach said, the thought of the winter break makes me giddy too 🙂

[Everybody is so quiet: Have you all started the semester yet?]

I got buried. Final project I thought was...you know...the final thing?The draft is due Nov. 9th and as of a week and a half ago, I hadn't started. The final version isn't due till the end but we are apparently going to do peer reviews on 2 others, then have time to revise. Stuff like that never sneaks up on me  but sure did this time ?

[Word Processors]

Do you use Mac or Windows? Scrivener has a free trial for Nano on Mac and the Windows Version 3 beta is free as well (download from the L&L forum). I use both and can save the project to Dropbox, then work on whichever machine I need to, or my Mac laptop. If you are on Windows, take a look at Atomic Scribbler. It's free and the chapter structure is very similar to Scrivener but without so many behind the scenes abilities as Scrivener has. Very easy to learn and get to the writing. I use OneNote for class notes but don't free write anything in it. Dabble (dabblewriter.com) also has Mac and Windows versions and a free Nano trial. It also uses the same chapter/scene breakdown that you can do in OneNote but comes with a plotting board and can be used either through the downloaded app or via the website and stays synced up between the two.

[Anyone else feeling like this whole thing is a mistake?]

BBL said it perfectly. I much prefer in-person classes. I feel really disconnected this semester - one online class and one independent study. It's awesome to sit around a big table with other grad students and really dissect the week's material. I Agree though. I HATE group projects.

[Everybody is so quiet: Have you all started the semester yet?]

I miss seeing people in person too! I have an online class this semester and an independent study and I feel a little disconnected. At least we have a few get-togethers and such but I miss the in-class discussions.

[Everybody is so quiet: Have you all started the semester yet?]

HEre they tend to go over the syllabus in-depth for the first class as well, especially undergrad classes. I think it may be a little cya on the professor's part. Everyone is made aware on day one what is expected, so no claims later on of "Well I didn't know that!". This way they have it in print and have been told directly. Our grad classes, we tend to skim the syllabus, since it's generally 'read a book a week and write a final paper and we'll discuss all this every week'.

 

 

[Everybody is so quiet: Have you all started the semester yet?]

Well I've started, one week in, and went from do-nothing summer to 110 mph ? Lots of reading as usual, but so far so good! HOw're things going for all of you?

[Everybody is so quiet: Have you all started the semester yet?]

Classes start today here but I don't have anything on Mondays. This semester I have and independent study on Native American literature and film, and the other is Federal MNative American Law and policy.  The independent study only has a solo meeting each week with the professor, but he's teaching an undergrad class in literature so I'll be siitting in on that as I like.

[I need my emotional support doggo ...]

yay! That's good! Glad the first round went well.

[Fall plans]

I have a history of the west (western US) class and settlement geography, which also covers the western US. Both are the usual 3 hour/once a week classes. I'm doing a medical terminology class online on the side - it's dipping my toes into the medical assistant field, which the college here teaches. It's sort of a backup marketable skill while job hunting after my PhD. ?

[Summer plans, part 2]

That is an odd requirement. What do they do with people who, like you, run their own business and may not have had outside jobs in ages? I would think that a successful self-run business would speak volumes, far more than an employer rec.

[How would you decorate your apartment?]

Lots of bookcases ?

[Summer plans, part 2]

It is worth looking into an alternate route for the math class, and you might be able to do it online.  ?

[Testing . . . 1. . . 2 . . . 3???]

I really miss Austin sometimes. We stopped at Sonic on the road trip, the first time I've been to one in 17 years, and had limeade. It was sooo good ?

[Best commuter vehicle]

I just inherited my Mom's 2012 Civic...and drive it 3000 miles across the country this  past week. Me and the care are one..LOL. It was surprisingly comfortable, even spending 8-10 hours a day in it. It is low to the ground though, and the body design would be difficult for a shorter driver. It is sort of wedge shaped and the back end is higher, making it tough to see out of...and i am 5'10. I have enough leg and head room but hubby, who is taller finds it really cramped, especially the head room. It handles great and the gas mileage is mid- to upper-30's. MY only complaint is that the seats seem more bucket-like, which made my lower back achy after a while (but then I was in it for hours on end). It could really use better lumbar support instead of curving me forward. The leg room however, gets high marks. I have really long legs and I had plenty of room. So many small cars make my knees hurt after a while and I had no issues with this in the Civic.

[DS decided to celebrate the end of my school year by getting hospitalized]

Just got home and checking in. How is everything today?

[I Graduated Last Night!]

Yay! Congratulations! I hope you'll still be here talking to the rest of us still grinding away!

 

 

[Testing . . . 1. . . 2 . . . 3???]

I am finally home from the looooong drive home from Charleston SC to MOntana, with a detour through Florida. Got home 2 hours ago and omg I am so glad to be home.

[Can I complain some more about group projects?]

sorry it's been such a hassle. I've managed to avoid all but one, and i really lucked out with that group as it was three of us and the other two were really motivated students. I really don't like them, especially for college students. the one project I did, however, included a brief form to evaluate how well the other members did as far as contribution, carrying their share of the work load, etc, which I thought was brilliant. We also had to do separate write-ups. That's the only way I think they are remotely acceptable.