So, yes I’ve been away from this space for longer than expected, but I didn’t want to post again until I actually had an update worth writing about.
Grad school apps were a bust this year. 0 for 7, which was surprising, but I guess the universe has other plans for me. I also applied for a full-time position at one of the schools where I teach, but wasn’t even considered for a first round interview, which was really frustrating. My anger has subsided and I’ve taken note of a few articles on The Chronicle about applying for jobs and how to move on and move forward.
John Lemuel’s article, “To the Inside Candidate Who Didn’t Get the Job“, was very helpful with understanding that sometimes it just isn’t the right fit and I may actually be better off moving on. And it doesn’t help to look backward; I need to just look forward onto to something else better suited for me.
Joshua Eyler’s article, “The Rhetoric of the CV“, was also very helpful with my recent applications and I completely revamped my CV to better organize all my work/teaching experience. It just seems to flow better.
Well, I’ve got one new prospective application out there and two more to complete within the next week, so we’ll see what happens. I do have classes for the Fall, although not enough to pay all my bills, and I need a full-time job (since grad school doesn’t seem to be in the cards right now) so I have more security and stability.
If nothing else, this experience has been very interesting, even if it has been extremely frustrating.
Well, it’s been a rough week, although my emotions have been pretty even keel. I found out that I have been rejected from all but two of the PhD programs to which I applied for fall. One of those schools is meeting this week to make final decisions and I haven’t heard from the other school yet.
I don’t want to make any predictions or assumptions, but it is getting tough.
I did decide to apply to a full-time teaching position at one of my schools, as a plan B. I’m hoping I won’t need that plan B.
I don’t know that I’ve ever been happier receiving a set of keys. Well, maybe when I got my new car back in 2006.
Today, I got the important key for my 7am class. This is the classroom that very few people’s keys can open, so it’s been a frustrating few weeks. I admit it; I have control issues. Not being able to control when I get into my classroom has been driving me nuts and having to rely on others in order to get into said classroom gives me anxiety.
*on another note- waking up at 5am twice a week is rough. If it was everyday, I could get used to it, but the weird schedule I have this semester is just that — weird. I don’t know if I’ll be able to get into an actual rhythm or will just have to get through each week and see what happens.
In addition, last week, I got the other important key for my other school. I was given a classroom where no one is in there for the entire hour before my class starts, which is awesome, now that I have a key. This means, I can go to campus and I have a place to sit and prep or grade or do whatever I want to do. This is the school that does not have anywhere (well, nowhere you’d want to hang out) for adjuncts to relax before class.
There are so many other things going on which is why I am posting on her very infrequently. This Saturday, I’m competing in a Crossfit competition where I’m going to be working out with a number of other people. It should be a fun time.
It’s also February, which means that PhD application statuses are being updated through the country. I started following thegradcafe last year, which is probably not the healthiest activity because it can become very addictive, very quickly. This website provides a great service where people get to post when they hear from the various schools and they can post whether or not they’ve been accepted. This is why it can be very addictive and also cause a lot of anxiety.
I’ve realized that it is a great thing that I am so busy right now because I have less time to obsess over my PhD apps. My brain is filled with Crossfit workouts and school prep/grading, etc.
Well, there’s my check-in. Just a few more weeks and I will know where I’m headed next year. I’m so excited and so nervous, at the same time.
Last week was the first week of classes and it came way too early. It took me 2.5 weeks to get into my vacation, and then I had to start school a few days later. Stinky.
Normally, the first week of school goes fine aside from the typical add/drop annoyances and students begging, “but I really need to take this class.” Last week, for me, was atrociously awful. Now, you may think I’m exaggerating, but it really was awful.
Mondays and Wednesdays, I have a rough schedule. I wake up at 5am, have class from 7am-8:30, and 9am-11am (and on Wednesday, I work as a writing tutor from 11am-1pm). Last Monday, I show up to campus early to get my parking permit, the experience of which should have warned me how that day was going to go.
MONDAY
I go to campus police, give them my money and ID, and they can’t find my information card. The woman behind the counter asks, “so, you’re new?” To which I respond, No, and this same thing happened last semester. Just as I start filling out a new information card, she looks are my ID again and realizes she was looking up my info based on my Middle Name, not my Last Name. Now, you would think that someone who works for campus police would know how to read an ID (California has new IDs that look very different). Oh well, I eventually got my ID and then raced to my department to copy off my syllabus.
Luckily, no one else was using the copier, so I made copies for both of my classes, figuring (correctly, as it turned out) that at 8:30am, the copier would be quite busy. However, making those copies made it so that I showed up to class right before 7am. With students blanketing the hallway, I walk up to the door, try my key, and NOTHING, NADA, it won’t work. Oh, geez!!
I run downstairs and get someone to open the door, but that was very frustrating. Class was okay and afterwards, I ran to Starbucks to get a caffeine refresher. I go to my next class, in a different building, try my key and, surprise, surprise, it doesn’t work. Since I’m right across from the business department, which is in that building, I get the secretary to open my door. Open sesame and I’m greeted by a hot, small classroom where my students are practically sitting on the floor.
That class is part of what is called a Learning Community, which means it’s connected with another class. Because of this, I cannot add/drop without going through other people, which I promptly forgot on Monday. It eventually got figured out, but took three days and a 30 minute meeting, and it’s not fully resolved.
So…that was Monday.
TUESDAY/THURSDAY
Tuesday, I started class at another campus. I was excited because my class was in the new, spiffy classroom which has technology and is nice and pretty. However…one hour before my class begins, I receive an email that tells me, “By the way”, your classroom has been moved because someone else needs that room. No problem, although I hope the new class has technology. So, I wait with my students and walk them over to the new classroom. The door is open and I walk in. Poof!! It’s a closet with no windows and no technology.
A few minutes later, the head of my department walks in and I tell her that I have to have technology in the class since I use it almost everyday. She says she’ll look into it. Class goes on and things go well. Two days later, I look online at my class roster and notice that my classroom has again been changed. After an email to the head of my department, I learn that the new room has technology. The only downside is that I don’t have a key yet and the room can only been opened a few minutes before class begins. Hopefully, I get my key soon.
My faculty development class also began on Friday and after a few logistical issues trying to meet up with my teaching partner, everything went smoothly and we actually finished class about 20 minutes early (Oops!).
That was week one. I’m hoping this is not an example of things to come. Although if my New Year’s experience was any indication, I should be fine.
I saw this on Reassigned Time and thought it might be a good idea to complete the meme below. While 2011 ended with the last 4-5 months being extremely hectic, but rewarding, I am looking forward to an even better 2012.
1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
I joined Crossfit and learned that fitness is much more than going to the gym and doing bicep curls. I can now do pullups and pushups, and Olympic lifts… the list goes on and on. I have never enjoyed working out as much as I do now and I love the camaraderie of all the people with whom I workout. It truly is a family at Paradiso Crossfit.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Well, I think my only New Year’s resolution from last year was to floss more and while I don’t floss everyday, I do floss more than I did before (which was almost never). I think I’ll keep the same resolution.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, my friend’s wife gave birth to the cutest baby boy at the end of May. I’m sure there were others since I’m at the age when many women get married and/or pregnant.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. My grandfather passed away at the beginning of November. I was not very close to him since he lived in Greece, but I know that my father and aunt have had a tough time dealing with his loss. Although, he was in his late 90s (there are questions about when he was actually born), so he lived a long life that included winning a bronze medal at the 1936 Olympics in diving, serving in the Greek Navy during WWII, and becoming a Greek war hero.
5. What countries did you visit?
I didn’t visit any countries this year. Although this year, I may visit Canada (cross-fingers), if I get accepted into some graduate programs.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Now, if I said that, I might get into some trouble. Oh, wait….I would like to have an acceptance to grad school. That’s PG enough for a blog post : )
7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
None really. This is a weird question.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Doing a pullup. I have never, ever in my life been able to complete an actual pullup and now I can do a number of them. It’s awesome.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting into graduate school. That was extremely painful.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I’m sure I got sick once or twice, but I was definitely injured. I hurt my knee in May, which was awful and then I pulled my quad muscle in November. That was awful, but I’ve powered through.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Sequin-blue dress for the holidays. There’s nothing like being able to flaunt a hot, short dress when you’ve never been able to do it before.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
USC Football, this fall. What a great way to end our final year on probation? We beat the undefeatable Oregon in the final minutes and demolished “The Bruins” by 55-0, showing that we should have been in the inaugural PAC-12 championship game. And we did it all by working hard and doing things right. Oh, and Matt Barkley for deciding to come back next year!!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Our entire government. Right, left, and in-between. Seriously guys, just figure it out and stop playing politics. There are too many lives and people’s well-beings at stake. Stop screwing around and get it done.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Well, aside from food and rent, I know I spend most of my money on workout gear. I love gear. Gear makes me happy. Oh, and coffee. Yummy, yummy coffee.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
All of the opportunities I was given regarding my career and teaching. I was able to teach a summer school class, which is not easy to come by, and I was offered a new job at a new campus, which helps to supplement my Crossfitting habit.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Rolling in the Deep by Adele. It’s awesome and has such great rhythm.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
Happier, thinner, and richer (though, not by much).
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Socialized and dated.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Watch TV. Since I spend so much time reading essays and thinking about teaching, I tend to veg in front of the TV to have some time to not think.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas with my mother’s family. It was really nice to see that side of my family because I haven’t seen everyone in over 2 years and they always make Christmas feel special.
21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
No….I wish.
22. How many one-night stands?
Zero…what kind of girl do you take me for?
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Hmmmmm… Fringe and Supernatural. Can you tell what kind of programs I like? Creepy and weird really get you to feel like you’re in another world.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Not that I’m aware of.
25. What was the best book you read?
I wasn’t able to read a lot, but reading A Brave New World was truly fascinating and mind opening. Also, re-reading Wuthering Heights really made me think about how messed up that novel is. When you read something in college, you definitely don’t catch all the nuances of the story and language. Brilliant, but screwed up.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Adele. I didn’t really like her first album, but her recent album is fantastic. And let’s not leave out Pitbull. I do love me some awfully bad Pop music and he encompassed the best of the worst.
27. What did you want and get?
I wanted to figure out a workout that I liked and figure out what I should eat. Both things I’ve accomplished, with great results and I feel fantastic.
28. What did you want and not get?
I really wanted to get into a PhD program for English lit. Although I was wait-listed at 2 schools, I was ultimately not accepted. This was very, very tough and made me question whether or not I would apply again, and whether this was the path I really wanted to undertake. Ultimately, I decided to apply again, so hopefully third time is the charm.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Kung Fu Panda 2 and Pirates of the Caribbean 4. Films were really disappointing this year and I wasn’t able to see some that I had wished I could have seen.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My birthday was really low key because I was coaching my team on my birthday, but my team made me brownies and cookies, which made me feel very special. When I got home, I went out to dinner with a friend. One year shy of 30.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting into graduate school.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Simple and professional. Although toward the end of the year, I’ve definitely become more girly.
33. What kept you sane?
Maintaining a consistent workout routine and knowing that what I do is not curing cancer, so I don’t need to take things so seriously.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Enrique Iglesias. Hot, hot, hot. I don’t care if his music is mostly over-produced, he is way too skinny, and he’s engaged to Anna Kournikova. That’s why he is on the list (if you don’t know this reference, you need to watch more Friends).
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
The Occupy movement. I was just so curious about the whole thing. What did they stand for? How did occupying different areas accomplish their goals? I just couldn’t understand what they wanted to accomplish and what they stood for. It seemed like there were too many ideas and no organization to help achieve their desired outcomes. But then again, what were their desired outcomes? I don’t know.
36. Who did you miss?
I don’t know that I miss anyone. Ask me this next year and the list may be quit long.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
All of my new friends at Paradiso Crossfit. I know this is very Crossfit heavy, but that has had a major impact on my life over the last four or so months.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Be willing to try something new, even if I have to do it on my own. I will try anything once, but sometimes my fear of being awkward, not knowing anyone, etc. limits how many new things I’m willing to try.
Today, I finished my final grading for the semester.
This brings to a close this crazy semester of multiple classes, a conference, facilitating for a faculty development class, countless meetings…and, oh yeah, 7 PhD applications.
Everything is done.
At least for the next two weeks.
And then I will prep for another semester.
Meanwhile, I’m going to try to enjoy not doing anything, for the first time since July!
The last few weeks have been intense, to say the least. The biggest and most important monkeys looming over my head (yes, I know I’m mixing my metaphors), are my PhD applications, primarily my writing sample.
After a very productive writing session last Saturday, I was able to get a somewhat reasonable sample completed, albeit one that needed a significant amount of editing. I didn’t look at the writing sample for a few days because I was waiting for some friends to offer some feedback. Finally, on Thanksgiving, while waiting for the turkey, my mom trudged through my convoluted and somewhat verbose text, and helped simplify the sometimes messy ramblings of my mind. After a few hours (not all at once), we got something that I think is actually readable, reasonable, and hopefully, helps me get a Yes!!
I must say that I am forever thankful for my mother who has trudged through endless pages of my sometimes very crappy writing to help me clarify what I want to say. Most times, you really do need someone else to look at things, no matter how well you write. I am thankful that Thanksgiving went really well, and the food turned out to be fantastic. It was a small gathering of me, my mom, and a dear friend, but that’s okay. We all had a good time of chit-chatting and watching Kung Fu Panda on TV.
The after-Thanksgiving Black Friday hullaballoo has never interested me because I’ve always believed that my time is much more valuable than saving a few dollars. However, I did venture to Express to purchase a dress for an upcoming holiday party, at 40-percent off. Craziness ensued and I ended up purchasing the right dress, but the wrong size, which I didn’t notice until I got home. Luckily, they found the dress and I went back to get it today.
So, today, despite the fact that it feels like Sunday, has been spent running around to purchase a new flash drive, after mine erased all my data on Wednesday. There’s nothing like losing all your important data (ie, current gradebooks) to make one hate technology. However, after purchasing recovery software for $40, I was able to find the most important stuff that I didn’t have already on my computer.
The most important thing is that the writing sample is very, very near completion. I just finished up another draft and will hopefully be done with it in the next day or two. My first application is due before December 1st, which is a little nerve-racking. I can’t believe it’s almost December. I feel like I was just whining about how much I wanted it to be this time of year, so I could submit my applications. Oh well, it is almost over — again. I pray, beg, and plead that this year is the year I finally get accepted.
After months of being insanely busy with classes, faculty classes, and conference presentations, along with all my coaching duties, including traveling out of town for the last two weekends, I finally have time to sit and finalize a decent draft of my PhD app writing sample. Over the last few months, I’ve accumulated 11 pages of musings, quotes, and a general structure, but today and tomorrow are the days to get all of that into 15-20 pages of usable journal article-quality work.
The difficult part is I have so many ideas about how to approach my topic — Wuthering Heights and the transformative quality of each of the houses in the novel — that I keep rambling or getting off-topic. Maybe I need to just stop worrying about it, get a usable draft completed, and go from there.
Unfortunately, as a former professional writer and current English instructor, it is hard for me not to critique and edit as I write.
Okay, enough kvetching, well, maybe not kvetching, but at least procrastinating. Time to get back to the writing. Wish me luck!!
Tomorrow will be my first conference presentation…ever.
I attended the MLA conference in January, but I’ve never presented at a conference. One of the CCs where I teach is hosting a conference on the book Mindset and the author is coming to speak, as well. While this isn’t a traditional literature conference where one gives presentations on their research (this is a more practical pedagogy/androgogy — how we get students interested in learning conference), it is still nerve-wracking to present tips and tricks, so to speak, to other faculty.
