classicrockyea

A test

Sun, 21 May 2006 01:43:32 GMT

So, just in case you were looking for confirmation that I am liberal:

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 5% Conservative, 95% Liberal

Social Issues: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

Despite the either/or perspective of the test, it describes me fairly well.

This is a test

Tue, 09 May 2006 14:48:29 GMT

So, I took this online test thing entitled "What Pattern is Your Brain?" You select the image that appeals most to you and then you get a short description of what type of mind you have. Here are my results:

Your Brain's Pattern

Your mind is a firestorm - full of intensity and drama.
Your thoughts may seem scattered to you most of the time...
But they often seem strong and passionate to those around you.
You are a natural influencer. The thoughts you share are very powerful and persuading.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

I think it's fairly accurate. YOU should go take the test. Yes, now.

Hello to those few people who still read my journal though I rarely post. Hi to Jennifer especially, who reminds me, in her subtle way, that I should update my journal.

Imagine this - two updates in a year!

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 02:28:50 GMT

Greetings my devoted readers!

I hope everyone is doing well. Things have been quite hectic lately so I have not been able to update this journal for a little while. Considering the previous lapses in my updating, the matter of a few weeks between the latter part of January and now hardly seems like a gap. So, what have I been doing you ask? Let me answer that in a word-

Work.

Yes, the life of a graduate student has become only more 'graduate studentish.' It is February my friends and while it is the short month, it is certainly not short on the amount of work that I have. Hundreds of pages to read for my classes and then more hundreds of pages to pour over for my thesis research. When I am not reading those pages, I am doing research for two end of course papers of approximately 25-40 pages. It definitely helps that I enjoy doing this because at this point in the game, you cannot merely tolerate doing schoolwork, you must genuinely enjoy it! I am serious because I would not be here (either of my own volition or otherwise) if I did not thrive in this type of environment. I will keep you all updated on the progress of things, but I will not describe all of the various details.

I think I'm going to start a feature in this journal entitled "John's Work," which will give you an idea of some of the topics that I read and research about. It should help give a picture of what I do besides drink coffee and read until I have a headache. So, three cheers for the inaugural edition of "John's Work." The format will simply be a list of items structured around my classes and a couple of other tasks. Here goes:

Comparative Women's History - readings in nineteenth century industrialization. One of the central issues in my course readings is that of the public/private 'sphere' debate. Basically, it's the idea that men operate in the 'public sphere' of the paid workplace and politics and women operate in the 'private sphere' of the home and child rearing. The reason I mention this debate in the context of industrialization is prior to this period in history, the divisions between the spheres were not as rigid as they would become. Certainly there is flux - women work, men are unemployed, but industrialization brought on an increasing separation as it ushered in the concept of the male breadwinner, the male head of household expected to work outside of the home (non-artisan and such) and bring home a wage to support the family. Well, the gap between the breadwinner ideal and reality is quite the intriguing one and it meant that women did a lot of things for which they did not get credit or recognition. I am leading this week's discussion on this topic so it will be fun!

American historiography - I have to write a 6-10 page paper on the topic - "Is it possible to write a 'true' American history? What would it look like?" Well, my short answer is that you cannot write the 'true' (meaning univerally applicable and absolutely true) American history, but you can write a truer American history in the sense that it presents a greater understanding of America's diverse history. All that crazy philosophical stuff! It's a good question I think and one that is engaging on which to write.

Urban history - We have not had too much reading for this, so I have been spending my time conducting research on the Detroit Urban League and their involvement in housing issues in Detroit, 1916-1940. It is interesting that I cannot find a single article length treatment of this topic. My thesis advisor suggests it's because they did not do much. She makes a good point. It does not look like the League did anything groundbreaking, but their story seems to illustrate the issues of futility that were inherent in trying to push urban reform. It is still important to write on this topic because after all, you cannot always write about winners.

Thesis research - I seem to always be doing something in this arena. For the coming week though, I am not doing any thesis research so that I can concentrate on a couple of other tasks. As of late, I have been compiling a list of sources to examine and trying to find gaps in my research thus far. This weekend, I have been reading about Freudian psychoanalysis. It is definitely interesting and I have gained a more comprehensive understanding of psychoanalysis that goes beyond the narrowly constructed interpretations presented by second wave feminists. It's pretty interesting stuff.

Grading papers - I have a stack of exams to grade. Sigh. It's what pays the bills though.

Well, I have almost written you an essay to read. I suppose I should cut down on that stuff. Oh, on an interesting note, I bought a couple of cardboard boxes and a box of manilla folders to organize some of the articles that I have accumlated over the past year. In addition, I bought an index card holder box to try and keep the cards for my thesis research organized. I am very happy about both purchases! I feel more organized and accomplished all ready!

I should go now.

I love Jennifer!!!

I do still exist

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 05:16:34 GMT

Greetings my loyal readers!

I probably do not have any loyal readers left since the last time I updated this journal, so welcome new readers! I hope you enjoy my occassional updates and assorted musings.

There is so much territory to cover between my last post and now that I could not possibly write a single entry that would encompass all of those things within the next half an hour or so. This will be more or less an update on my new student status.

I enjoyed the year 2005. It was a magnificent year. Certainly there were problems, difficulties, and trials; however, the year proceeded in general spectacular fashion. I earned a B.A. in history with my political science and women's studies minors on the side. There are indeed pictures from graduation but with my severe inability to keep things updated, you may be viewing graduation pictures as you are planning to retire. In addition to graduation, the second great hallmark of 2005 was my engagement to Jennifer. Luckily when I proposed, she didn't do anything crazy like run out of the restaurant or laugh heartily. She did however desert me by going to China to teach ESL for a year. That's alright, she will be wining and dining me when she returns. Oh wait, that's the other way around. She's right - she always does win. My third great event (or portion I should say) of the year was attending Clemson University as a graduate student in history. I am now into my third week of my second semester.

Let me say how wonderful graduate school is. I certainly enjoyed my undergraduate years, meeting new people and hanging out with some amazing friends, learning about the world, and cultivating a solid sense of who I am and how I want to live. What I missed was the intellectual climate that I have found in graduate school. I am not talking elitist, because let me assure you that is not my thing. I have talked about this several times with one of my colleagues and we both agree. The intellectual climate of graduate school is substantially different from that of undergrad. Let me offer a few reasons why graduate school has been for me the most rewarding academic experience of my life:

1. Classes - I read hundreds (500-900) or into the 1000-1500 pages mark of material per week. Class discussions at the graduate level can be quite engaging and my coursework in general has provided me not only with a considerable amount of new information that I have learned but also with tools for retaining and working with that information. I also have less classes per semester than I did as an undergrad - 3 or 4 versus 7. I like to study a few things in depth rather than a host of things topically, which leads me to point #2.

2. Research - My B.A. degree has a secondary education license component. I have decided to forego teaching at the secondary school level and pursue a doctoral degree in history. Perhaps the most important component of obtaining that degree and gaining a job is research. As I said above, I only have 3 or 4 classes per semester rather than 7. This means that I am expected to do more intensive research projects, producing a major paper for a class usually rather than several small (3 pages or so) papers. Let me say how wonderful that is for me. If you talk with me, you know I generally have a lot to say. My researching is like that too - I want to know a great deal about the topics I research so that I can think about a topic intricately. So, a 20-25 page paper for me is, all things considered, a great joy. I cannot explain eloquently enough how wonderful it is to delve into books and learn. I think I know why I was not that keen on writing many of my undergrad papers - I felt like the product was more for a grade than for my edification. Yay research!!!

3. Thesis - granted that I am not at a point where I need to get anxious about my thesis, but as of now (my second semester in a two year program), I am making substantial progress on a topic that is of the greatest interest to me - twentieth century U.S. feminists' critiques of marriage. It is incredibly compelling!!! I will not go into the particulars here, but suffice it to say that I have little problem with researching 5 books per week for my thesis in addition to my other work. I enjoy it that much! For you cynics, I am sure you will remind me of all of this "enjoying research" as I work on my dissertation.

4. Professors - the stimulating intellectual environment that I have encountered as a graduate student has been not only in the classroom but outside of class. I make it a regular practice to stop by my professors' offices and talk with them about the class I am taking with them, about my research, my career goals, and in some instances, political and social issues. I enjoy this dialogue very much and it has been an invaluable part of my graduate experience. I lose track of time talking with my professors.

5. Colleagues - I do not refer to history department graduate students as 'classmates' but as colleagues. We are in a program of professional study and so I think the distinction appropriate. My colleagues have certainly upheld my justification for referring to them as colleagues. Some very interesting conversations during my time at Clemson have taken place in the graduate student office. I find the intellectual engagement of my colleagues to be in marked distinction to that of my undergraduate clasmates. It has been very rewarding, as graduate study in general has been for me.

You know now what I have been doing, at least in brief. I hope to update more regularly, particularly so I do not face the WRATH OF JENNIFER! lol.

Perhaps I should update more

Fri, 28 Jan 2005 00:34:04 GMT

Well, I have not exactly updated as much as I would like. Perhaps you have noticed this tendency and maybe even said something about it. Anywho, here is somewhat of a catalogue of the various events and such happening in my life since the last update:

I received an offer of admission and assistantship to pursue an MA at Clemson University. One of my favorite professors, Dr. Shockley, teaches there, so an opportunity to work with her again would be undoubtedly wonderful and enlightening. It was after all during her class that I decided to declare a minor in women's studies. It remains the most beneficial academic decision I have ever made. I am waiting to hear back from five other schools; however, I do not think all of the decisions will be made until the first of March. Once everything is in, then I have to decide what to do academically for the next few years. I am very happy about my start.

I have started to read for enjoyment since I am student teaching this semester. I started with War and Peace and I have now added From Dawn to Decadence, 500 Years of Western Cultural Life. Both books have proved engaging, invigorating, and enlightening. I will update you on future book selections as well.

Student teaching is going well, although I have only been at school for a few days because of all the snow/ice/slush that closed the county's schools for several days. I have been primarily observing but today I did lead a review game while my cooperating teacher was attending to some personal things during the beginning of the school day. The students are cordial. I look forward to actual teaching a little while down the road.

Tomorrow, I will be visiting my darling Jennifer. I look very forward to seeing her. I very much enjoy the time that we have together, especially since we are separated by distance this semester. She is trying to figure out what she wants to do after we graduate from Longwood. I know that she is capable of doing whatever she sets her heart and mind on, whether it be speech therapy, ESL, or something else. I love Jennifer!

I have decided to give up searching for a part time job. Certainly I am not the only person looking for a part time job, but I am a bit disconcerted after having put in so many applications and getting nothing. I suppose either that I am overqualified or that the employers think that a college student with fairly good grades does not make a good, obedient worker. Oh well, I will stick with academic things and not concern myself further with jobs that really do not interest me.

In consideration of that last paragraph, I would like to do a little venting. I am told by some people that I should look for things to learn at any job and to find a job and not worry about whether or not I so absolutely enjoy it. I do not necessarily agree with the second part of this. Jobs can teach many things, a proposition with which I cannot disagree. I do disagree however that I should not really care about what job I have so long as I have a job. To me, that's ridiculous, because if you are not enjoying your job, you are not going to perform it at close to your best ability. Yes, you can do the job and hold on to it without really enjoying it, but what kind of experience is that? I am frustrated with the low paying service industry that dominates the part time job scene. These jobs are helping who earn money for important things - the big whig people, who earn their money at other people's expense. It may sound a bit Marxist, but contrary to popular opinion, we do live in a society that has a class structure.

I think that many people have decided to suck it in and deal with it, rather than try to enact change. You know, the people at the top are not really conditioned to care about worker exploitation when we live in a consumer based society. Think about all of the products and services that we see on tv and are told that we should have (and that indicate social status). It's ridiculous. Somehow, people think that the psychological pain that they endure by working deadend jobs for crap pay is just how it's got to be. I think Jacques Barzun (who wrote From Dawn to Decadence) was correct in calling contemporary times a period of decadence from earlier times. By this, he is saying that western culture has stagnated, disillusioned itself and its members, and lacks creative direction and ingenuity. Of course, this discussion might be too deep or heady for those who think that it represents some sort of elitist frame of mind.

America does not take the education of its citizens seriously. I'm not going to list, catalogue, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the issues surrounding this notion because to do so would take up so much time and space. I will encourage my readers however to reread the first sentence of this paragraph and tell me why we have so many functionally illiterate individuals, such low voter turnout, miserable test scores, and people who lack the concern to think beyond their next paycheck. I enjoy learning and I understand that not everyone may share my concept of learning, its purpose, or how it is assessed. I will say that education has the potential for great social change and that the current stagnation in society stems from a lack of interest in learning and disseminating skills and knowledge. I guarantee you that most everything that you learn in school can be reasonably related to "real life." America as I see it currently is to a disturbing extent, an anti-education society.

I hope that I have not bored you but that I have updated you on events in my life and my joys and concerns. The great author Dante tells us (my paraphrase) that the deepest places in hell are reserved for those, who in times of great trial, do nothing. Whether you agree with me or disagree with me, do and think something. I hope that each of you who reads my ramblings is doing well and finding trials that encourage you to put forth your best effort.

Wow, has it been a while!

Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:14:48 GMT

It's been quite a while since I have last posted. In that time, I have traveled to New York City with my darling partner and have completed an online women's studies class entitled Sex, Gender, and the Body. In between, I have celebrated Christmas, spent time with my wonderful Jen, including New Years, and traveled back to Farmville to have a student teaching seminar. Many experiences, which I recall in my mind but am not always likely to record in writing. Let me indulge you with some of my adventures:

My trip to NYC was very enjoyable. I have been there once before, in January 2002 for a series of seminars about Violence as a Theological Problem. This time, Jenn and I went with the Chinese students. We visited Times Square at night, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, South Harbor (I think that's the name), the Strawberry Fields section of Central Park, the WTC area, and Grand Central Station, amongst other things. We found inexpensive meals, good times, and bitter cold. Such wonderful memories remind me of why I enjoy the bustling and fast-paced life in a metropolitan area. The best part of course was enjoying this time with my darling. How wonderful!

Upon returning to Longwood after the trip, Jenn and I traveled back to Colonial Heights to have part of Christmas together and for me to start my online class. The class was Sociology 495: Sex, Gender, and the Body. I had not had a sociology class at all, but I found my prior women's studies coursework and experiences helpful. I enjoyed the discussions on the discussion board tremendously. I particularly enjoyed writing a paper for the class. This paper focused on representations of Black women's bodies in rap music videos. I approached it from a Marxist framework, which was a new thing for me since I normally do not consider my topics from a specific, delineated framework. The experience proved quite helpful as I aspire to enter graduate school or find a career.

For the spring semester, I will be student teaching twelfth grade government. I know that sometimes it will be crazy or demanding, but I do look forward to it. I hope that the students will learn from me and I know that I will learn from them. I entered Longwood not really caring about government and politics. I will graduate having a deep interest in enacting social change.

Occassionally, I will post current events discussions and my own political expositions. I know, however, that my views sometimes incite frustration because I do not pull any punches. I assure my readers that the comments will be from my own heart and as well-informed as I can make them. I invite commentary on anything I write, because if we are not having dialogue, we are having stalemate, which is something more fit for a chess game than intellectual dialogue and social progress.

To each of you: may 2005 bring you that which you need most.

I love my baby!

To quell outbursts

Mon, 15 Nov 2004 16:27:21 GMT

Hello all,

Since there has been such a clamoring for my journal entries, I thought that I would milk it as long as possible. Seeing now that the clamoring has turned into tirading, I must acquiesce to my friends' insistence. Let us see what has been happening in my life:

School work - Oh the joys of schoolwork. Actually, if the schoolwork involves topics that I like, doing the work is a joy. This sounds odd at first though, does it not? Sure, we all enjoy schoolwork more when it has fairly direct relevance to our lives and interests. However, I look forward to the opportunity to produce work when the subject is engaging. I consider my intellectual interests to be fairly broad, so I am intrigued by a host of things. Perhaps strangest of all, I thoroughly enjoy researching and writing papers - not always - but on topics of history or gender studies (and its relatives). I am weird, but hey, would people like me if I was close to 'average.' Most likely not. A side note, which represents a little bit of a rant - sometimes when you're doing work for a class, you might think you hate it and that it has NO relevance to your life. Instead of complaining, be open to the notion that you cannot always get immediate gratification from everything you do. Yes, I know that I should remember that for education classes and papers. Yet, if the work is readily identifiable as busy work, well, then my contention collapses. Otherwise, open your mind and appreciate learning. After all, many slaves in American history suffered great punishments for trying to learn to read. Perhaps we will see reading and learning as a privilege rather than a drag.

Movies - I have been trying to watch more movies in the evening as a sort of way of relaxing. So far, I have done this twice. It has proven to be a wonderful idea for me. Last night, I watched The Third Man and tonight I am going to watch a Roman Polanski film, presuming I can complete all of my work.

Food - I cooked dinner on Saturday for my friends and my darling Jennifer (I mistakenly referenced her in an earlier article as Emperor Penguin when I should have called her Empress Penguin. Please note the error. And for Jennifer, please forgive me?) Oh, like I said, I cooked dinner on Saturday. I used my mom's recipe for meatballs and folks seemed to enjoy them. It gives me a little reminder of home, which is nice.

Class presentation - I designed and made a presentation, with the help of Helen, a classmate from my Minority Experiences class, about the issues surrounding same-sex marriage. I must say that I enjoyed conducting the research and considering the issue more intensely from several different perspectives. There was an article in The Rotunda that opposed same-sex marriage and civil unions for couples of the same-sex. I am hoping to write a reply for the next issue of the paper. I would like to propose here an idea that I want each person who reads this entry to carefully consider:

There needs to be a new and more widely embraced understanding of marriage. Marriage as a social institution has strong religious roots; however, many people in American society today do not marry within a church. I therefore propose the following:
A couple should be married through a church and a couple should have a civil union if they choose not to join together through a church. Each union should be accorded the same economic, social, etc. benefits that a 'married' person currently enjoys.

This clearly separates the religious from the civil. I consider myself a Christian; however, I do not consider my rendering of Christian values to be Godlike, meaning that I am not going to use my Christian beliefs to in essence damn someone for what he or she does with his or her sexual orientation. That is between him or her and their Maker, if that person believes in that.
Homosexuality may be construed as wrong by the Bible, but hey, any book that condones slavery and equates the relationship between wife and husband as that of man and God, needs to be considered and not slavishly accepted as literal. Remember Jacob in the garden wrestling with God - where are the great Christian intellectuals? I feel that we're stuck with the evangelicals, which working all together could not equal the philosophical abilities of St. Augustine while intoxicated.

Well, this entry seems sort of incomplete. I will pick it up sometime later. Do not worry; I will not forget to update - my friends and Jennifer would not allow that. Well, it's almost time for lunch.

Rainy Day posting

Thu, 04 Nov 2004 22:55:30 GMT

It is the busiest time of the semester and as usual, I wonder if I will complete all of my necessary work in an exemplary manner while still retaining some time for relaxation. I am slowly progressing through a book on the Vietnam War that Jennifer purchased for me. I hope to finish it this semester and to select a couple of books to read during the spring semester. My slowly growing habit for reading for fun is indicative of a change in work ethic that I have made. Instead of working almost nonstop and going to bed at 2:30 or 3 am each night, I have decided to go to sleep around 1 am. Thus far, I have found that this approach still allows me to get work done but without feeling burnt out as I sometimes felt previously. I am still adjusting to the anxiety that I develop when I have work that is due; however, I think that things will be improving significantly. Well, I am more rested now than at this point last semester but I have quite a bit more work. Ah well, most all college students are tired and most all have work to do.

Since my last update, I have done several things, some of which might be interesting and some of which might be trivial. It will be up to my adoring readers to decide. Shall we start? I thought you'd never ask.

I cannot remember how long ago my last journal entry was but I want to express my happiness for the Red Sox winning the World Series. The curse has been broken! Woohoo!

I presented my research paper on Virginia's Standards of Learning at a conference at Sweet Briar College this past Saturday. I enjoyed the opportunity to attend presentations of such engaging and pertinent scholarly work. While my presentation was at the end of the day, several students did stay to listen to it and I fielded several questions. Overall, the experience provided me with intellectual enjoyment and new curiosities. I hope to present again in the near future.

I completed the first final draft of my senior seminar research paper on the topic of Emma Goldman's political activism in the American birth control movement. I have learned a great deal not only about the importance of Goldman to this movement but also about the experience of women in social movements and the ways in which gender constructions dominate social expectations. Gender history is amazing and life affirming because it provides a complete consideration of history, culture, and the experience of life. I have found no characteristic that informs my views as a historian more effectively than that of gender.

Currently, I am working on a project for my Minority Experiences social work class on same-sex marriage. This topic intrigues me because of its implications about gender roles in American society. It also illustrates how religious fanaticism can inhibit the feelings of peace and appreciation that are crucial to living as a Christian. Such religious dogma brings out the worst in people. In my project, I contend that same-sex couples have a fundamental right as American citizens to marry and enjoy the same priviliges and immunities available to heterosexual individuals who marry. A constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage would set this country on a course that I fear may possibly produce an exodus of individuals to other countries.

Well, my partner for this project should be here soon so I should go. I hope that many people will read this entry and make thought provoking comments.

I love my darling Jennifer

penguins

Thu, 21 Oct 2004 21:56:53 GMT

I love penguins. When we went to the Washington D.C. zoo, I was so happy to see the animals. Unfortunately, there were no penguins. TEARS!!!!!! SO SAD. :CRIES: Well, at least I was there with my Emperor Penguin, Jennifer.

I love you!

Dinner time again

another entry

Thu, 21 Oct 2004 21:52:55 GMT

This is my attempt to continue to regularly update my livejournal. We will see how long that lasts. Well, I think this entry is going to apply to the Friday before fall break all the way through the present writing time. Shall we start? I know my readers are so anxious to read every word!

Jennifer, Christina, and Jen fooled me wonderfully this past Friday by throwing me a surprise birthday party. Perhaps I should explain. My birthday is May 11 but because of school, we all leave for our respective homes before that day. So, my amazing friends decided that I was worthy of receiving a birthday party in the fun month of October. Well, the simpleton (that would be me) was quite surprised to find that instead of going to try garlic bread at Christina and Jennifer's apartment that I was going to my party. The apartment was decorated all neatly and then I was ushered into the dining area where we had a delicious dinner. Afterwards, I opened presents - an inflatable 'UFO' that works as a giant fun frisbee and the third and final DVD set of Invader Zim. Yay for both gifts!!! (Of course, I'm partial to Invader Zim. I now have all three volumes. Woohoo!!! Best cartoon since the old Loonie Toons and Disney cartoons.) Following a delightful dinner and presents, I got to have rocky road ice cream. When I saw it earlier that day, I had no clue that I'd be eating it later. Yay! It was such a wonderful gift from such amazing people.

On Saturday through Monday, I went with Jennifer, Christina, and the seven Chinese students at Longwood to Washington D.C. Unfortunately, I had to drive there but it wasn't too bad. I suppose that if I am going to graduate school next fall (hopefully) that I should learn to drive long distances. It was nice to visit D.C. and be immersed in the diversity and culture that makes the nation's capital a very dynamic place. The museums (American history, Air and Space) delighted me as usual. We didn't get to do a tour of the monuments at night, which was kind of sad, but that's ok. The mall near our hotel was about four stories tall, which was crazy, but it was fun to look at things. The visit to the Capitol was great. As a student of American history, I delight in being able to visit all sorts of parts of our nation's history. Having never been inside the Capitol before offered me the opportuntity to marvel at this hallowed building. It was cool to go to the Chinatown section of D.C. and see the Chinese students get all excited. The dinner that we had at one of the restaurants was delicious and very filling. D.C. was a joy and a much needed break.

Well, when I returned back to Longwood, you can guess what was waiting for me- work. Almost an hour ago, I finished up the Major Field Achievement Test (MFAT) which is given to all history majors enrolled in history senior seminar. If I had been a straight history major, I know that I would have done significantly better. Because of my schedule, I didn't have much time to study and the test is structured more along the lines of what history students should have a working knowledge of rather than minute details of things. Well, I want to study history further, so graduate school will feed that desire. Speaking of grad school, here is my list of six (it was eight, but I wanted to save almost $90 and plus two of the schools would not really suit me because they don't have professors working in areas that interest me): Oh, that's right, the list:

University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Indiana University, UNC Chapel Hill, George Mason University, Clemson University.

Oh, my power bill was $20 cheaper than normal. Woohoo!!! Well, after the MFAT, I have alot of work until Election Day. After that, I just have to maintain a level course. Until then though, work is in piles: history senior seminar paper, Civil Rights midterm, civil rights research, Russian history exam, EDUC 430 papers out the wahzoo. At least I'm learning how to be productive for graduate school.

Enough about my rants. Well, I have one more rant, the contents of which you can find in iluvhyperboles livejournal as one of the 'bruises' or replies. The topic is homosexuality. As a women's and gender studies student with several research interests in that discipline, you shouldn't be surprised that I have opinions about sexual orientation.

It's dinner time now so I should go eat.
Bye for now my dear readers. Remember to leave comments

It's been a long time

Mon, 11 Oct 2004 04:15:23 GMT

Greetings to those who read my journal!

I must say that I have received enough emails demanding that I update my LiveJournal to suggest that I should start charging for people to read these entries. How well that goes over, I do not know. But, since I have not written in this thing since I think May or June 2004, this might take a while. Here goes some mad crazy summarizing.

This past summer was my busiest. I started with one week off followed by a three week practicum at Hermitage High School (in VA of course). I then had an approximately two week break before I started a sox week position at Learning Bridge, in Richmond, VA. I then immediately started massive studying for the GRE General Test, took it, then turned around in a week and started my senior year at Longwood University. Now, for the interesting points of this summer. I am sorry in advance to the English folks who laugh at what I am using as one paragraph.

Things about my summer. My practicum went ok, although trying to teach when it's the last month of school and students are banking on passing the SOL tests to avoid the final is difficult. They did about what I expected of them, even a bit better at times. I learned during those three weeks that teachers get a lot of flack from all sorts of folks. During my two weeks off, I relaxed. My darling Jennifer would go off to a summer program at Longwood for a couple of weeks while I was doing my next assignment, Learning Bridge. Learning Bridge is a summer enrichment program for middle school students of the Richmond area. The teachers are college or high school students and each teacher, in consultation with a licensed teacher, determines the curriculum for their classes. I taught two classes of Roman history and one class of Gender and Media Literacy. I really enjoyed all three classes and I feel that the students enjoyed them as well. They were so well-behaved and enthusiastic; it was almost the total opposite of what I've seen in the public schools during the school year. This begs the question: what is wrong with the public schools; the answer - quite a lot. I won't rant on that. After an absolutely enthralling Learning Bridge experience in which I met some really amazing students, I settled in to study for the GRE with my baby Jennifer. Two weeks really was not enough I don't think. I did fairly decently, but the toll that the studying takes is noticable. Jennifer seemed to take it fairly hard and I had wished that there was something more I could have done to soothe her. Over the course of the fall semester of our senior year, she seems to have found an alternative to graduate school for now that will be of most benefit to her. Well after the GRE, I returned to Longwood, I think on August 19.

I began my senior year at Longwood having made two decisions. First, I decided that I would significantly reduce my involvement in clubs and organizations on campus. It's my senior year and I'll be on campus for only one semester this year, so might as well sever a few ties. That has worked out for me. I certainly have not missed all of the political things that complicate serving in clubs and organizations. I enjoy the work, but I have developed a strong distate for the environment in which these groups operate. My second decision concerned my future. After years of wanting to teach high school history, I decided that I, as one person, could not fit in with many of the public school environments I have learned about nor could I instigate an overhaul to improve the errors that I saw. I therefore decided that I would pursue graduate work in history, hopefully culminating in a Ph.D. I decided this after I realized that I wouldn't have to give up my love for teaching and that I could be encouraged to embrace learning, which is one of my greatest life joys and life works. I think that through obtaining a Ph.D. in history, I can more fully affect society and encourage students to increasingly realize their academic and activist potential. I have twenty-one credits this semester and the largest amount of work ever. That trend will never change. I'm looking very forward to the possiblity of pursuing a Ph.D. I, however, am concerned about how Jennifer and my relationship will go. Recently, I believe that things will ultimately work out so long as we both pray and put things in God's hands. We've made it through a number of trials and I think we're truly meant to spend the rest of our lives together.

Well, my schoolwork is calling and I have an 8 am class. I'll try to update my journal more frequently. To those who have urged me to update this journal, you had best be reading it and checking for entries every waking moment. Well, time for me to go. Leave replies all you fiends out there.

A long time since

Fri, 30 Apr 2004 21:43:44 GMT

Greetings everyone,

It's been quite a long time since I last updated my journal. In that time, I have done a lot of things and finished up my third year at Longwood. As much as I have been stressed over the past academic year, I have thorougly enjoyed being here, doing work and hanging out with amazing people.

I could provide a catalog of things that have occurred over the past month time span, but I do not think that would really convey the experiences that I have had. I offer a few notes of contemplation:

The death of a loved one is something that you never get over; rather it is something that remains with you always. You do not forget; instead you acknowledge the impact that person has made in your life and you remain constantly appreciative that you had the privilege of spending time with that magnificent individual. People, not things, are the true blessings.

Friends are necessary for living life. My friends at school have been absolutely inspiring, amazing, and fun. This year, I have continued to realize the importance they hold in my life and how I could not truly enjoy life without them. Cheers to you!

College is a place to find yourself and your place in the world in addition to a forum for developing your interpersonal relationships and cultivating your views. Schoolwork, activities, and just the intellectual environment that a college offers has meant the world to me and reaffirmed the occupational and advocacy goals that I have.

Trials are tests and cultivators of character. Use them as opportunities for success.

Well, there are more things, but those are the ones I have particulary learned this school year.

To Jennifer: I love you and your dedication to believing in me and inspiring me leaves me in awe.

Bye for now folks. I'll provide some more things later.

An update! Finally! Everyone can be happy! Yay!

Mon, 29 Mar 2004 05:38:09 GMT

Good evening (morning, afternoon, you may choose which ever one you feel describes your reality. After all, what is real? Is reality real, are figments of my imagination more real than reality?) Moving past all of this 'real' talk because it's really odd, I thought I'd update this journal. It appears that I have not written in a while and after having deliberated for several days (and receiving suggestions from my darling Jennifer) I have an entry. For your reading enjoyment, my journal!

The Philadelphia trip was loads and loads of fun.
Reason #1: When I have had an extremely busy semester full of work and activities, I need a break, a break out of Farmville.

Reason #2: Philadelphia has lots more stuff than Farmville. I love the cows and all, but sometimes, I have to leave them for just a little while.

Reason #3: Learning is fun believe it or not. We went to a couple of museum things on the first day, and I enjoy learning. National Liberty Museum followed a walking tour of the city.

Reason #4: Walking can be fun. After traversing Philadelphia on foot for 2.5 hours, Jennifer, Jen, and I proceeded to walk 36 blocks back to our hotel, stopping along the way to look at fun stuff.

Reason #5: Food. While we were unable to try a 'true' Philadelphia cheesesteak because of the insane lines, I have to admit that Pizza Rustica was extremely yummy.

Reason #6: A Midsummer Night's Dream, as done by the Vagabond Acting Troupe. Absolutely spectacular, and in my opinion, just as good, but most likely better than any Broadway version.

Reason #7: Murals are cool! Philadelphia has an anti-graffiti, murals project and they are quite beautiful

Reason #8: South Street. Lots of cool shops

Reason #9: Pillow fights in the hotel room. Jennifer and Jen are absolutely crazy insane when it comes to pillow fights

Reason #10: I think Reasons 1 - 9 are quite adequate.

Following Philadelphia, I have not really gotten fully back into doing schoolwork. I guess it's a good thing that I only have a couple of substantial assignments and several little assignments left for the semester. If that was not the case, I'd be, well, drowned.

International Performance Gala was a huge success. I have never seen so many people attend an event at Longwood University, outside of commencement. Wonderful and I got a gift certificate to Charley's Waterfront Cafe because of my help. Jennifer and I dined with that on Saturday. Very yummy I must say.

Vagina Monologues (March 25-27) were well performed and now I am free from all of that work. And, the cast party was quite fun, which was definitely a surprise for me. Yay for surprises!!!

I went to church on Sunday, had brunch, watched TV for a few hours and then had a picnic in Jennifer's room for dinner. Somewhere in there I wrote the answers for my Classroom Management exam.

It's early Monday morning and I have laundry to put in the dryer and reading to do for Modern Political Philosophy. I should go and do both now.

Much love to my wonderful Jennifer and to all of you a good night.

Running all over the place and onward to Philadelphia

Fri, 19 Mar 2004 03:56:37 GMT

This week has been extremely busy and not necessarily from schoolwork. I'll definitely be happy next semester when I have several less organizations in which I participate. Don't get me wrong; I love serving various clubs and organizations, but after a while it becomes incredibly draining. Things are looking up though...the Monologues work is mostly over, the Young Democrats stuff is mostly coasting for now, the Kappa Delta Pi stuff only took a couple of days of preparation, and my paperwork for graduation things is getting closer to completion. I turned in my degree application and the stupid $40 fee that's just another attempt to get money, even though I've done or will do all the necessary coursework. Ah well. My student teaching interview is on Tuesday, and I'll have my application completed by then, so that will be out of the way. Who's ready for another paragraph? Ok...

Hello new paragraph. I suppose that's not a very good topic sentence, but that is okay. I have a few substantial things left for schoolwork this semester outside of exams, but mostly it's just hanging in there and doing the little papers and the readings. So, I like that. Today was quite busy, with classes, meetings, and running all over campus trying to post flyers and posters for two different events. Even though Spring Break is not far gone, another break would still be nice...

Hello Philadelphia. The Diversity bus trip this year is to Philadelphia, and being involved in a number of things within the realm of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, attending this would only be natural. Of course, something to get away from Farmville is always a nice change and joy. Departure time is around 2:30 am Friday morning (a matter of a few hours from now) and return time is around dinner time on Sunday evening. Homework doesn't get to plague me for all of the weekend...woohoo yay! Should be a lot of fun and, Jennifer is going!!! Smile!! I love you Jennifer!

Well, I need to organize some things and proofread my paper that I need to email before I leave. I'm off to do that. Have a good weekend everyone.

Another one of those past midnight entries

Mon, 15 Mar 2004 06:06:00 GMT

I have not written in this little journal in quite a while, which is good. This past week was Spring Break, so I took the proverbial break to not do so much schoolwork and to relax. So, that means that the journal sort of took a backseat to things.

I should start of this entry by exclaiming happiness for the 20th month that my darling baby Jennifer and I have been dating. She is so wonderful and adorable. I love you Jennifer!! Yay for March 5th!

I arrived home on Friday March 5th around 5 pm, unpacked my things somewhat, and then had dinner. I lounged for the rest of the evening and woke up around 11 on Saturday. It was so nice to be able to wake up later than 6:30 or 7 in the morning. On Sunday, my late awakening did not bode well since I missed early church. I still got to Sunday school though, which is ok I suppose. In Sunday school at my permanent residence, I am in a class that has one teacher and a sort of substitute teacher who fills in occassionally. The second person is quite a bit more conservative and close minded in regards to Christianity in my opinion, which does not mesh well with my ideas of religious toleration. Aside from that, I went out to eat Sunday after church with my grandparents, as I usually do when I'm in town. Each time I spend time with them, I come to realize even more how much of a positive influence they have been in my life. They're amazing and true blessings from God.

During Spring Break, I mostly hung around the house, sometimes doing work and sometimes watching tv, and sometimes eating. I got a decent amount of work completed (readings for this week and a bit of work on my World History outline) although it was still not as much as I had desired. (Didn't get to write my two Women's Studies mid term essays, a draft of my comparative book review for History of Modern Japan, or a Political Philosophy paper. Ah well, I have to have something to do for this week, right?)

Over the past week, I found a couple of things to do in Philadelphia for the March 19-21 Diversity Bus trip. A play and a concert should be fun. While I will have to get homework done beforehand, I know Jennifer and I will have a great deal of fun since we'll be in a different city, and roaming around together. Fun!

It's about 1 am and I am going to try and get to sleep. I have to approach the second half of the semester the same as the first half - slowly at first and then get up to speed. The get up to speed time will be much less this time though, which is helpful. My mother hoped that I won't return home again as stressed as I did for Spring Break. We will see what happens. I'm walking around (a lyric from "Sugar Magnolia," by who else, the Grateful Dead)

Prayers for my ailing stepfather and for continued strength for my mother to attend to his needs

An addition to March 2 / 3

Wed, 03 Mar 2004 06:25:43 GMT

Apparently in my last entry, I lost part of my comments. I would add that my 'Dory' Jennifer (she's so adorable and SO like Dory from finding Nemo, but in a cute, cuddly way) is doing a hall program tomorrow that has ice cream!! Yay ice cream but even more yays and yums for my darling!!! I love you!!!

Hi there

Wed, 03 Mar 2004 05:42:10 GMT

I accidently closed my Internet Explorer window that had the entry I intended to write. This means that I just lost 15 minutes of time to an annoying error, sigh. So, here are a few things about my March 2nd

I went to all of my classes and in History Teaching Methods, I found out that I will be submitting assignments while everyone else will be submitting some assignments and doing remedial SOL stuff at Cumberland's high school. I'd much prefer that, but grrrrrrrrrr, oh well. Moving on though...

My friend Katherine is feeling quite ill, so I hope she gets better very soon

The VM poster is yet another day behind because the Director did not know that a Zip disk was submitted with the poster design on it and I was not able to contact him until the later part of the day. Grrr. I don't think it's exactly my fault that someone's assistant did not give him submitted information.

Young Democrats chartering: After experiencing a tremendous amount of stress over this, I finally obtained the requisite number of signatures to send in the chartering packet. Problem is, it must be received by March 5th. I hope, pray, implore, beg, whatver, that it is received on time and that we get chartered.

Kappa Delta Pi provided me with pizza for dinner thanks to their open house (I'm Applications Chair for this international honor society in education)

Speaking of honor societies, I need to remember to submit my Omega Delta Kappa membership form very soon. (Some people get excited about athletics, some art, and many various other things. I get excited about academics and music, especially the Grateful Dead. I still want to write my M.A. thesis on the Grateful Dead. That would be the most enjoyable paper I'd ever write. Talk about pleasure. I can see it now - "Why are you listening to the Grateful Dead so loud and so often?" My answer - "I must" "No you don't!" "But yes, yes I have to, you see..." Great stuff!!

Tests left to complete for this week: three

Time for more homework. Nothing like the Grateful Dead's "Wharf Rat" by which to do work. Absolutely brilliant!

A good day and an early entry

Fri, 27 Feb 2004 04:15:53 GMT

After complaining for a while due to stress, today was quite liberating because it was all around enjoyable. My 8 am class, which I struggle with during each session because of my general state of tiredness, was not too bad today. I did not have my 9:30 History Teaching Methods class, which provided me with some time to piddle around on the computer and talk with my friend Christina. She's still worried about housing and such and I sure hope she can get all of it squared away soon. I know it has to be frustrating being in Austria and trying to deal with Longwood's housing office in Farmville, VA. Best of luck to you! I had Econ 111 class today and for one part of the class, one of the people from my Gender and Politics class last semester made a presentation. I could not tolerate him very well in the Poli Sci class and the Econ class was no exception. He seems quite a bit egotistical in my opinion. I saw my baby Jennifer at lunch because Econ ended early; both of those events were a delight, although I must admit the former more so than the latter ;) In my 2 pm class, I did not nod off from being tired and I could actually deal with talking about the VM with the organizer. There's a happy and stress free day. Even further, at a VM meeting, the civility continued. Definitely a yay for that one. After my 2 pm class, I went with Jennifer to her Pi Delta Phi (French Honor Society) induction. Granted I understood next to none of it, there were crepes to eat, which were yummy. Jennifer and I had dinner around 6:15, went to the VM meeting, then parted to do work. Surprisingly, I have mostly completed my work by 11:10. I have only to revise two papers, which for short papers such as them, I prefer to do in the morning that they are due. I am quite content with how today went and yes, I'd like some more of them. I'm setting out to get more of 'em; we'll see what happens. I'm off to spend time with my Jennifer. So yes, "He's Gone" but not for that long of a while. (When I can speak of myself in the third person and name a Grateful Dead song in the same sentence, I'm extremely happy!) Tomorrow, the play an Italian Straw Hat and Jen wearing a wedding dress. Craziness!

Another day

Thu, 26 Feb 2004 05:10:58 GMT

Hello to LiveJournal Readers! Today has been a long day as per usual. I did a twenty minute presentation on John Stuart Mill's ideas regarding Utilitarianism. I did not think that I was well prepared or that the presentation was adequate; however, several people commended me on it. I definitely needed that! I've been sort of mulling around, feeling kind of melancholoy so it was certainly nice to receive such generous positive feedback. Following Modern Political Philosophy at 9 am, I returned to my room at 10 and missed my 11 am Introduction to Women's Studies class in order to revise an Economics 111 proposal. After this, I met up with my darling, Jennifer, before she went to the Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Teresa's. After she departed, I went to lunch and in a few minutes, Tina and Jen joined me. It's always enjoyable talking with the two of them. I had World Regional Geography at 1 am and I was going to meet up with Jenny at 3 pm to take the Vagina Monologues poster to Printing Services, but her disk broke and the 'organizer' was not able to meet to give 'approval.' That's ok though since a couple of things were missing on the poster because they were not available at the time of its creation. I attended the Monologues last year and really enjoyed it; this year, I know I'll enjoy the production but this Publicity Committee work has been hell and the annoyance continues. Enough said though. I'm moving on and I'm not going to allow myself to get nearly as overworked about it as I have been. I went to the library around 4 and saw Jennifer and Whitney, who were working on a budget for next year for ISAC (International Student Advisory Club). Whitney drove Jennifer and I to the apartment that she (Whitney) was going to live in this year. I decided today that I'm going to go with Whitney's suggestion for housing. She will live there in the summer, I will live there for the fall semester (she'll be studying abroad) and then she will live there for the spring semester (I'll be back at home doing student teaching). So that housing situation works well because I have a place, it will be either the same cost, or more than likely, less than the costs of living on campus at Longwood. Plus, it's a bigger place and I can call it my own. I'm happy about that. After going to dinner with Jennifer, Jen, Frances, and Andrea, I attended a job acquisition program that was overlong and did not say much in the way about tips on getting jobs. Then, there was a Publicity meeting for the Monologues. That went well. I am now in the room continuing my homework. I hope to write a paper on utilitarianism tonight and then a paper for Women's Studies during my free time from 9:30 - 10:45 on Thursday. The Women's Studies midterm will be due after Spring Break, and it's a take home; yay! Today has been a good day overall and that is a tremendous pleasure. I'm returning to homework now. No time for literally throwing stones, but I always enjoy a good workout of "Throwing Stones" (more Deadhead references)!!!

New things

Wed, 25 Feb 2004 05:25:36 GMT

I've enjoyed receiving replies to the few posts that I have made. I have found them to be kind and uplifting in times of great stress for me. I have not been used to having so much pressure on me, so I think I have become sort of frantic; however, my friends have been remarkable in the depth of their understanding and compassion. One of the things I have very recently realized is that sometimes, I'm just not going to agree with some people and there will really be nothing I can do about it. I have a presentation later today (Wednesday) to do regarding John Stuart Mill and the Utilitarian theory (or the Greatest Happiness Principle). For Christina and Jen, this will bring back nightmares of Ethics class. My apologies!!! So, basically, I have been wasting too many resources (time, energy, etc) on some organizational things and not enough time on the more important things (friends and schoolwork). So, time for me to turn over that leaf. If organization and club things aren't going to work out the way I had hoped, oh well. Someone else can have it. If it fudges up, I can't say that I didn't really try but I can say that I am less stressed over it. Thank you to my girlfriend Jennifer and my friends for helping me to realize that despite my stubborness to acknowledge this reality. I have one year (and a little more than half of a semester) before I graduate. I don't think I'm ready to get entirely stressed out yet. Think I'll save that for some other time far far away. Classwork is going well, which is good, and Spring Break is not too far away now. Yay for that!!! Lesiure is fun and I want lots of it, at least for a while. It'll definitely be a much needed refresher. To those of you who have endured my ranting and complaining, I extend to you my apologies. I think I can turn back the clock, to a time when I was a bit more carefree and easy going. I know some would greatly appreciate that. Oh, random message for C.H.K. (yes I remember all of your initials). You're a wonderful friend and I look forward to your return to Longwood. Since Jen W. is in a play where she will be wearing a dress, I will take pictures for you if possible. It'll be a great time, I'm sure. I hope you're enjoying Austria Christina. Love ya lots. To my other friends, thanks for being amazing. To Jennifer, I love you. Well, I'm off to finish up some schoolwork. I'll probably end up listening to the Grateful Dead somewhere along the line. I still want to write my MA thesis on them. I hope I can, I hope I can. PLEASE!!! In my head, "The Music Never Stopped" (GD song, and a good one too!)

An overall decent day despite major stress

Fri, 20 Feb 2004 06:23:25 GMT

As with the other entries that I have posted, the material I enter regards the previous day, which would be Thursday, the 19th. After waking up early to proofread an assignment for Social Studies Teaching Methods, I went to History of Modern Japan and then that Methods class. The professor pushed back the content outline of world history an entire week. Woohoo!!! Additionally, we got out of class fifteen minutes early. In Economics, we did the second part of our in class problem based learning assignment. Here's a question: In a three person group, why would two of the people move to the location of the one person if that one person did not have inhibited mobility? I don't know, just a random question. Following Economics was lunch, during which I saw Jennifer and Jen for about five minutes. Apparently my girlfriend Jennifer did not hear the alarm clock go off for her 9:30 am class so she woke up late for class. She's been quite tired for the past couple of weeks in addition to being stressed, so naturally I am concerned. Since the past two weeks have been extremely stressful for me due to issues with the Vagina Monologues, she has endured a lot of bad moods on my part. She has been quite patient though, and while she sometimes blows up herself, I cannot really blame her. We're both just so stressed and tired. It is remarkably wonderful though, to spend time with her and de-stress although she does not always realize that she is helpful in that regard. I wish she would know how much I appreciate her support and encouragement. Moving onward, after launch (lunch I guess I meant to say) I attended Classroom Management. I always seem to nod off in that class, but not because it's boring. I enjoy the material we cover; however, my tiredness seems to win out sometimes. So, for those of you guessing themes of my life for the week, tiredness and stress are the correct answers. Unfortunately, with such busyness, my contact with people like my mother and grandparents is greatly reduced. I hope they understand that I have not forgotten about them but rather that my head is swimming due to all of the things into which I've thrown myself and that I am just trying to stay afloat. I'm trying, but it's quite hard. I will spare the details of the Vagina Monologues group meeting. Needless to say, I have not been so frustrated in quite a long time. Apparently I take things too personally. Perhaps I care too much to the point of sickness. Not to sound egotistical, I just feel that my ideas and methods have been critized and that the substantial amount of work that the Publicity committee and myself have been doing has not been respected. I hope that I can write later entries where this is no longer the case. We shall see. After the VM meeting, I talked with Dr. Riden, faculty advisor for the VM. I can't see eye to eye with her regarding the VM production but it is always delightful to talk with her about intellectual and other topics. Folllowing an International Student Advisory Club meeting, I returned to my room and wrote a draft of a paper on Enlightenment feminism. I love feminism!!! Yay feminism! My Modern Japan comparative paper is about women as well: Japanese comfort women. For some reason, my best papers and contributions to class discussions center on women and also social issues. It appears that I have said quite a bit in this entry. I should probably get to bed now so I can revise my feminism paper in the morning. What awaits me in the morning, you ask? I would tell you, in the title of a Grateful Dead cover, "Morning Dew."

Another one of those late evenings

Thu, 19 Feb 2004 06:31:48 GMT

Greetings to those who have thought reading my journal was better than boredom. Hopefully I will not disappoint. Well, classes for me are chugging right along and I am quite surprised that we are about to end our sixth week. Crazy!! Time is flying. Of course, the amount of work only increases exponentially from here. My organization involvement has been quite heavy this semester with regards to number of groups and extent. I'm trying to reduce club work for myself so that I can concentrate more fully on schoolwork. I have been getting all of my work done; however, I have ended up being awake at all sorts of strange hours of the night to accomplish this. Tonight (this morning, whatever) is true to form. The one thing that has been saving me this semester is good friends. I really love my friends and indeed they have been quite helpful. They are such a great source of energy and thought. I look increasingly forward to each day hanging out with them because my interest in school and its work is souring a bit. I expected that to happen, but that still does not take away from the frustration that occurs when trying to balance schoolwork, friends, and clubs. Stress may not be my middle name but I do often think of sending it a Christmas card since it is such a frequent visitor. Things will get better since that's how life seems to go. I'm eagerly awaiting that. As always, we're all just "Playin in the Band" that is life (my Grateful Dead song reference being in quotes). While it is a bit discordant right now through the jam part, "Playin in the Band" has one hell of a reprise - and I'll enjoy that - both in less stress and the actual song.

Valentine's Day

Sun, 15 Feb 2004 22:33:50 GMT

Yesterday was Valentine's Day, which is a holiday which seems to involve almost as much sugar and candy as Halloween. Indeed, I have some chocolate sitting on my dresser because of this day; but the thought was nice - thanks Mom! Anyhow, I spend a few hours of the afternoon yesterday trying to get some work done, although I ended up accomplishing just a little bit. Around 4:30, my wonderful baby Jennifer and I went to get some movies for later in the evening. Following that, we changed clothes and went to dinner at Lighthouse. Jennifer had not been there before and I had not eaten there in two years, so I thought it was a good idea. The service was decent and the food was fairly good too. Following that, we exchanged small gifts - I have interesting coupons to redeem of Jennifer such as (one hug free, ETC...). She's so cute and adorable. I gave her a Finding Nemo board game, which looks like a lot of fun. We both love that movie and she is Dory after all because of their similiar forgetfulnesses(that might be a word). Following gift exchange was a movie, which unfortunately was not as good as either of us had anticipated. We then turned on SNL, which was quite humorous. Following that, sleep was the order of the evening. I especially enjoyed Valentine's Day this year for two reasons. One is obviously that my darling and I spent time together, which with this crazy semester, is truly a blessing. Secondly, it provided me with a time to forget about my school and other stressers. Well, today has been the church, work, dinner, work routine. It will be another 4 am time. But that's ok, because yesterday provided me with renewed energies. It's time for dinner now so I am gone. Then I'll return but I wish I could listen forever to Terrapin Station.

My first entry

Thu, 12 Feb 2004 05:56:51 GMT

Greetings! After seeing so many people who have one of these journal things, I figured that it was now popular enough for me to have. lol. Actually, I got stressed and bored from schoolwork, so I decided to create one. But launching right into school things sounds good. Every semester here at Longwood seems to be increasingly stressful and while the other semesters have been bearable and quite fun, this one is getting bogged down in work and headaches. I think my girlfriend Jennifer was right; perhaps I have decided to get a little too involved in things. I suppose I will only learn such lessons through experience. My schoolwork is going well, even though I have one class (Teaching Methods for History, or something like that) which is kicking my tail because of the workload. The other classes are fine or even interesting (Intro to Women's Studies and Modern Political Philosophy). Organizational things are even more chaotic than schoolwork. #1 Headache - Vagina Monologues. Confusion regarding the Publicity committee's tasks (I chair the committee) have been very stressful because the autonomy of the group seems to be limited. After a Wednesday meeting, I think things will work out better, at least for now. Issue #2 - The Young Democrats, of which I am President, are sitting in a very tenous position and a crossroads between gaining dedicated members and retreating to a very small group. I'm trying really hard to work towards the former in spite of the stresses of chartering (at least ten members, creating an affirmative action / outreach plan, etc) and organizing and coordinating events. Issue #3 - stress incurred from the other clubs of which I am a part. I really guess I should limit the number of things I do. Well, that's what I had decided last summer. This year, that effort has been thrown back in my face. I have determined that few people truly cares how stressed others are. After all, how many times has someone asked you "how are you?" and you say either "fine" or "good" or "ok"? I do that a bit myself because I have bought into the system. That system says that a person must give the allusion that they are always doing well and that if they are doing bad, explaining that should take about 45 seconds, tops. I don't really think it works that way because I really don't think a comprehensive airing of a person's stress can be done in that time. Sometimes, people just need to vent and for a long time, I have been a person to whom people come to do that. Now, I need to do that but I am quite hesitant. I guess in time that will go away so long as people like my remarkably amazingly wonderful girlfriend Jennifer and my magnificent friend Katherine encourage me to express myself. We shall see. Yay for people who take the time to care. I suppose that I should return to homework now in order to get at least a few hours of sleep. Oh, and since the Grateful Dead is my favorite group, I will probably end my entries with some lyric or reference of theirs. "I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight"