What's New
So I lost much of the desire to blog after the flame war(s) this spring, and then I went to camp for ten weeks. Well, I've now been home for about four weeks now, and am already two weeks into classes. I increased my courseload this fall to fifteen hours from twelve, thinking that this way I could definitely be finished in only four more semesters, and I wouldn't have to take courses next summer to be done with the program and applying for jobs in May 2009 (this was also enabled by my father's large monetary gift to me from his share of my grandmother's estate). Now, however, I'm questioning the wisdom of my decision, as I'll be taking courses for two-and-a-half years for only a teaching certificate, not even a second bachelor's, much less a master's. On that note, I've begun looking into some of the master's programs that lead to a certificate at the private universities in town. I've also joined a Sea Scout ship here in town; I finally did what I've been saying I'd do for the past two summers at Swift, join a Venturing unit in my district, and I'm actually learning quite a bit about sailing in the process.
My courses this fall are Regional Geography: Geography of the Eastern World (like I really need this one), Structures of Mathematical Systems II, Foundations of American Education, Technology for Teachers, and Educational Psychology. Amusingly enough, I realized immediately upon walking into the first meeting of Ed. Psych. that it's being taught by my former assistant principal, although thus far, she hasn't recognized me from my earlier days; let's just hope that it stays that way. The professor for my Foundations class has grudgingly allowed me to turn in one of my assignments early (a report on a school board meeting I've attended, not due until Nov. 6), but is almost sure to say no to my second request for her to accept a paper before its due date (on philosophy of education, no less; as if I really need to research this one); I guess she's concerned about having a student who's turned in assignments worth nearly two-thirds of the final grade by the third week of classes.
I really should be cleaning the house right now, in preparation for my brother and sister-in-law's arrival...at some indeterminate time tomorrow that keeps being pushed back...but I don't really feel like it just at the moment. I'm on the second volume of Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet, Balthazar, and I waited in line at the DMV (for the second time in a week) to get my tags renewed today, as well as having accomplished a fair amount of straightening-up already, so I feel that I've earned some Pete's-needs-come-first time. I finished watching Paul Newman in Sidney Lumet's The Verdict last night, and today I began watching Show Boat. "Old Man River just keeps rollin' along..."
