This story ran in the Arizona Daily Star today, on the front page! It's about the SASO concert series Mark is playing on this weekend. If you look closely at the picture, you'll see his face on the left edge, toward the top. He's being very nonchalant about the whole thing, but I think it's not everyday someone you know is on the front page of a newspaper! I figured some of you would be impressed, too.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Work, work, work
Things have been very busy, and I'm really starting to wonder if it's actually possible to finish everything I have to do this semester. I feel like students always say this sort of thing around this time in the semester, but I really do think I've got more on my plate this time than I ever have before. I have a test in a couple of hours (which I should be studying for), but I needed a little break, so I thought I'd write a quick update.
Last week, Mark was at PASIC. He's been so busy since he got back that I haven't really heard that much about it, but I do know that he had a good time. He was able to talk to most of the professors from the schools he's applying to, and it sounds like after talking to them he felt a little less pressure about the pre-screening DVDs that he's working on. He also got to see people from UNM and hang out with friends from here. Now that he's home, he's working on finishing up the DVDs and applications so he can mail them off by Monday. He's also got 3 concerts with SASO this weekend, which I won't be able to see because they aren't providing any comp tickets.
I've been plugging away at my final projects, and one of my papers is almost done. The other two--not even close. One is due at the very end of the semester, and is a manageable project, so I don't feel too worried about it. But the other, well, I think I'm in over my head. My current goal is to get as much work done on it as possible before Thanksgiving so that I can (hopefully) finish it the following week. The other problem is that I'll have papers to grade then, too, so I'll be extra busy.
One thing I've been thankful for this semester is that I've been able to spend less time on my prep for teaching. I always have a plan for what we'll do, but it's taking less time to figure that out. If I were spending as much time on teaching this semester as I did last fall, I would never get all my assignments done! So, at least I feel like my teaching is working out okay.
It's almost impossible for me to believe that Thanksgiving is a week from today. I am looking forward to seeing family again, but I know this year will be hard for everyone. I'm also afraid of not being able to do any school work over the weekend, so I'm trying to be extra-productive over the next few days. I really need to keep reminding myself that I can't rely on my own strength, but I need to depend on Christ to carry me through...I know I can count on His faithfulness, I just need to keep that in focus and not get so weighed down by everything else.
Last week, Mark was at PASIC. He's been so busy since he got back that I haven't really heard that much about it, but I do know that he had a good time. He was able to talk to most of the professors from the schools he's applying to, and it sounds like after talking to them he felt a little less pressure about the pre-screening DVDs that he's working on. He also got to see people from UNM and hang out with friends from here. Now that he's home, he's working on finishing up the DVDs and applications so he can mail them off by Monday. He's also got 3 concerts with SASO this weekend, which I won't be able to see because they aren't providing any comp tickets.
I've been plugging away at my final projects, and one of my papers is almost done. The other two--not even close. One is due at the very end of the semester, and is a manageable project, so I don't feel too worried about it. But the other, well, I think I'm in over my head. My current goal is to get as much work done on it as possible before Thanksgiving so that I can (hopefully) finish it the following week. The other problem is that I'll have papers to grade then, too, so I'll be extra busy.
One thing I've been thankful for this semester is that I've been able to spend less time on my prep for teaching. I always have a plan for what we'll do, but it's taking less time to figure that out. If I were spending as much time on teaching this semester as I did last fall, I would never get all my assignments done! So, at least I feel like my teaching is working out okay.
It's almost impossible for me to believe that Thanksgiving is a week from today. I am looking forward to seeing family again, but I know this year will be hard for everyone. I'm also afraid of not being able to do any school work over the weekend, so I'm trying to be extra-productive over the next few days. I really need to keep reminding myself that I can't rely on my own strength, but I need to depend on Christ to carry me through...I know I can count on His faithfulness, I just need to keep that in focus and not get so weighed down by everything else.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
A day off! (well, not really...)
In honor of veteran's day, we had no classes today. Usually, I teach on Wednesdays from 9-11, so this gave me a break from preparing for class and teaching, which is nice; but, I still have a ton of work to do. I did sleep a little later than usual, and I worked in my pjs all morning, but I do still wish I could have really taken the day off. I don't know what I'd do with a whole day off; probably watch movies all day. I don't mean to sound shallow here--I know today is about honoring those who serve and protect our country, so I do also recognize their service and feel very thankful for it. Practically, though, for me, today's holiday means I get to work from home instead of spending the day working at school. I have already realized that, as usual, there are more things on my to do list than I can possibly get done. My primary goal is to write the first draft of one of my final papers, which would be a huge help to me (giving me the chance to focus on the other two!). Here's hoping I can pull it off. I've been taking detailed notes as I've done all the reading, so that should make the first draft quicker and easier to put together.
I should also mention that Mark is off at PASIC now--he left town yesterday, and today is the first day of the convention. He always has a great time (and wears himself out!) at this event, so I hope this year is no different. He worked really hard last weekend on his audition recordings, so he has the majority of that done, and just a couple more things to record when he gets home next week. Mark being at PASIC again has reminded me of Pop-Pop, who was always really supportive of Mark's going. I know he would be glad to know that Mark is there again this year.
I should also mention that Mark is off at PASIC now--he left town yesterday, and today is the first day of the convention. He always has a great time (and wears himself out!) at this event, so I hope this year is no different. He worked really hard last weekend on his audition recordings, so he has the majority of that done, and just a couple more things to record when he gets home next week. Mark being at PASIC again has reminded me of Pop-Pop, who was always really supportive of Mark's going. I know he would be glad to know that Mark is there again this year.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
November already!
Oh, how quickly things change. When I posted a week ago, we were having some unusually cold weather. Yesterday, we broke the record high set in the 1930s when we hit 92 degrees. The temperature changes have been pretty dramatic!
What hasn't changed is that we're still pretty busy. I'm excited to report that I did manage to get the essays graded and returned on Friday, which has allowed me to focus more this week on my own work as a student. We're also watching a movie in class, so my prep time is reduced, too. I've been pleased to see that the students are enjoying it (their Journals about it were great). I spent a lot of time screening possible films to show, and wasn't totally satisfied with my choice. But, so far so good! We'll see how our discussion goes on Friday when we finish it and how well they use the film in their essays.
I've been working hard on my three major final projects/papers, and I finally feel like I'm making progress. I'm trying to decide now if it makes more sense to try and do a little bit of work on each project each day, or if I should focus on one project each day. Maybe I'll experiment. Thankfully, I am really interested in two of these projects; the third, I'm having a harder time with. At least I have all my topics going and the library research in full swing. I may find that I'm in over my head, though, on part of the third one. I guess I'll find out! I hope to finish at least one paper before Thanksgiving.
Mark has also been very busy. He's had concerts each of the last three weekends (one with SASO, one with the Sierra Vista Symphony, and one with UA's marimba band). He's also working hard on preparing DVDs to send with his applications for doctoral programs. The deadline turned out to be earlier than he thought (December 1!), so he's a little stressed about it. But, I've learned that he is always able to pull things together in time, and he sure has been spending a lot of time practicing, so I know he'll make it happen! He's also getting ready to head to Indianapolis for PASIC next week. He always enjoys the convention, and he'll also have the chance to talk to the professors at the schools he's applying to. While he's gone, I'm going to drive up to Phoenix and spend Friday night with my great aunt and uncle there. It should be a nice break for me (I hope I can get ahead enough to actually take the day off!).
It's really hard to believe that it's November already, but I've realized that not believing it doesn't make it any less true! We've both got our work cut out for us, but it seems like what needs to get done always gets done. Here's hoping!
What hasn't changed is that we're still pretty busy. I'm excited to report that I did manage to get the essays graded and returned on Friday, which has allowed me to focus more this week on my own work as a student. We're also watching a movie in class, so my prep time is reduced, too. I've been pleased to see that the students are enjoying it (their Journals about it were great). I spent a lot of time screening possible films to show, and wasn't totally satisfied with my choice. But, so far so good! We'll see how our discussion goes on Friday when we finish it and how well they use the film in their essays.
I've been working hard on my three major final projects/papers, and I finally feel like I'm making progress. I'm trying to decide now if it makes more sense to try and do a little bit of work on each project each day, or if I should focus on one project each day. Maybe I'll experiment. Thankfully, I am really interested in two of these projects; the third, I'm having a harder time with. At least I have all my topics going and the library research in full swing. I may find that I'm in over my head, though, on part of the third one. I guess I'll find out! I hope to finish at least one paper before Thanksgiving.
Mark has also been very busy. He's had concerts each of the last three weekends (one with SASO, one with the Sierra Vista Symphony, and one with UA's marimba band). He's also working hard on preparing DVDs to send with his applications for doctoral programs. The deadline turned out to be earlier than he thought (December 1!), so he's a little stressed about it. But, I've learned that he is always able to pull things together in time, and he sure has been spending a lot of time practicing, so I know he'll make it happen! He's also getting ready to head to Indianapolis for PASIC next week. He always enjoys the convention, and he'll also have the chance to talk to the professors at the schools he's applying to. While he's gone, I'm going to drive up to Phoenix and spend Friday night with my great aunt and uncle there. It should be a nice break for me (I hope I can get ahead enough to actually take the day off!).
It's really hard to believe that it's November already, but I've realized that not believing it doesn't make it any less true! We've both got our work cut out for us, but it seems like what needs to get done always gets done. Here's hoping!
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