I’ve got rhythm, I’ve got music…

I’ve got too much grading. Who could ask for anything more? I’d like less grading, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. Because I love lists, here we go:

1) Running has been put on hold due to a little knee injury. I have no idea what happened. Something went *snap* and now my knee hurts. Ice and Advil are my new best friends. The weather is beautiful, if not ideal, for a run, and I sit, staring out the window, dreaming of the perfect run. Oh well. I will try to run tomorrow or Friday. I didn’t realize how dependent I had become on running until I couldn’t do it anymore. Running = stress relief. Now? Stress relief = ??? I’m at a loss.

2) So, *apparently* people actually pay attention to the things I say. I’ve been thinking about this off and on lately because various people have come up to me and made comments on my past opinions/advice/musings. Today, in fact, someone just told me they took my advice. I was not aware that I had really given any advice of any sort, nor was I aware that people actually listen. How bizarre. There are often times when I just speak without really thinking (good? bad? indifferent? I guess it just depends on the scenario). I once told someone that I was impressed by the fact his apartment was vacuumed. The next time I went over, he apologized for the lack of vacuuming, especially since I had made note of it last time. I hadn’t really thought much about the comment as I was making. I had just noticed something and spoke accordingly. Now, I’m getting paranoid about the things I say to people. Will they remember? Will they think me odd (most likely)? Will they take advice that I didn’t mean to give to heart?

Dr. Phil (I know, hardly a credible resource) once said to a guest that if you knew how little people talked about you/thought about you, you really wouldn’t care what they think. I really internalized this statement. While we are all concerned, to a certain extent, what others think of us (some of us more so than others), it was comforting to have someone tell you that no one really cares. Now, I hear that people are listening? I guess it makes sense. I listen to the advice/opinions that others share with me. Although, I do not often spend time dwelling on them, or maybe I do. Maybe I’m overthinking things right now. Typical me.

(Note: Right now, someone just came up to me and articulated a fear that I was thinking about something that she had told me. The details really aren’t important; however, it just shows that people think about things/people/opinions/conversations far more than Dr. Phil knows. I really hadn’t thought much about our conversation. I was happy for the information that she provided me with, but I thought the conversation was over. I’ve since received a few emails. She’s still talking about it as I type. It’s kind of funny. )

3) I am beyond happy not to be writing exams right now.

Final thoughts on St. Patrick’s Day

As I sit here, happily chuckling over the genius of that chicken comic (see below), I am left with some final thoughts on St. Patrick’s Day. In no particular order, I give you the following:

1) I can hear drunk people yelling outside my apartment. Annoying you say? Nah. Just a consequence of where I live. It’s actually more funny than it is annoying. In the past, I’ve heard such gems as “OMG…Where are my shoes…” and “F*&(*#$U#*$)#$ I’m SO drunk!” Classy. We shall see what tonight brings. Will I be awakened to frantic, high-pitched screams of girls who are drunkenly freaking out, as per usual? Only time will tell. When is last call again?

2) Too many people who don’t normally drink wander out today. They probably went home hours ago. A friend and I saw a guy dragging both a pizza and his drunken, miniskirt-wearing girlfriend (?) home at maybe 5:30pm. Probably not a good indication of how the evening was going to go. At least he had his pizza, and she had her…I can’t say dignity…Hmmmm…I’ve got nothing.

3) I really don’t own anything green, nor do I think I have any Irish in me (hold in the jokes…). There were, however, some people dressed in very inventive and lovely outfits at work! Props.

Overall, a good day. I’m glad I do not teach tomorrow-saves having to cancel class because if no one showed today (about 30% of my class made the trek *yay*), NO ONE will show tomorrow.

P.S.

a) I had a MAD fit of the giggles today during American Beauty. Either that is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen, or I blame the chicken comic. Really, I’ll stop mentioning it now…

b) I’ve now edited this post multiple times. I would just like to announce that I’m going to bed at a reasonable hour (as in within the next 15 minutes) for those of you who were concerned about my lack of sleep yesterday

A Professor’s Version

The Renegade Librarian started it, and, as his dedicate friend, I follow…sort of. Thinking of my own seemed like too much time/work, but this came much easier

 

Ten Commandments for Students

1. Show up to class. I’m here, so you should be too. Yes, I know it’s 8am. Yes, I know you’re tired and/or hungover. Come to class. P.S. No you can’t have my lecture notes.
2. Discover coffee. It will help with number one (no pun intended—think about it).
3. Try. Really. Just try. You’re probably a bright person. Just put a little effort in. If we both try together, imagine the allegedly impossible. You might actually finish with an A+!
4. Show up with a pen/pencil and paper. Yes, I want you to take notes.
5. Questioning your teacher’s authority is never a good thing. He/she has worked hard to teach this class. Ask questions, challenge assumptions, beliefs, and arguments you can defend. No one likes a personal attack, and no one wins in those situations.
6. Go to the library. I am not just saying that because I’m a librarian. There are books there: good books and helpful books. Go! I want you to have well-researched papers, so I can give you the aforementioned A+.
7. Talk to your teachers. We like to know about your lives (with some limits). I want to see you succeed and like to hear about your academic endeavours.
8. Do the readings. This is not story time. We expect you to read. I will read to you on occasion. Why? Do I like the sound of my own voice? Yes, but also because reading is a fun way to explore specific ideas. Still—do the readings. You’ll like class a lot more.
9. Study for your tests! Enough said.
10. Be polite and communicate with professionalism. This is pre-job, life training. If you wouldn’t do it at work, don’t do it in class. If you wouldn’t say it to your boss, do not say it to your teacher.

See…I knew this was a bad idea…

Now I’m staring at my page, wondering what to blog about, reviewing my average day, and avoiding the work I need to do for class tomorrow. It’s times like these when I remember how great being a student could be, despite my countless hours of complaining whilst living said life. There is something quite glorious about being able to show up to class, wearing whatever (*note: whatever for me usually means jeans and a tank top [plus sweater in the winter]), drinking/eating whatever, and coasting into a seat prepared to ummmm “learn.” Now, reality tells me that I must show up to class wearing something professional (*note: dress pants, tank top, and sweater, with fun shoes). I probably shouldn’t be eating (I’ve tried…it’s messy), and I really shouldn’t sit while teaching (I’ve also tried…it’s weird). This does not mean that I don’t like my job. It just means that some days I miss the delightful laziness of being a student. I see them…sitting there with their sleepy eyes, staring at me as I blather on about some writing topic, and, for a split second, I want to trade places. Then I remember, being graded isn’t so fun, doing homework isn’t exactly awesome, and I went to school to have the “big girl” job I have now.

Tis but a moment of weakness I suppose. Human nature if you will. Grass always looks greener, right? Now, on to matters of true importance. What song will I play to start class tomorrow? Back to prep.