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Name: Forrest
Country: United States
State: Connecticut
Metro: Hartford
Gender: Male
Interests: Top Priority in life right now is being a good husband to my wife Lisa. I also play father to my two little Shih Tzu puppies, Maggie & Bailey. :-D
Expertise: I read books and write papers. This is all I know anymore.
Occupation: College Instructor / Grad Stud
Industry: Education
Message: message meEmail: email me
AIM:  RaRota
Yahoo:  http:www.geocities.com/fchgump
Member Since:
2/5/2003
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| Looks like it's been around... 4 months or so since I've last posted to my blog. Work has been busy and I guess I just haven't gotten around to it. So what's been going on?
1. I'm still working at my boarding school as a learning specialist. Some of the kids are good, but a few can be unbelievably frustrating. How to motivate a kid who honestly could care less? Fun times. I really do miss being in front of a normal class teaching English. As part of drawing up contracts, I've asked them to consider me for any English openings- considering I will have a Master's in the field, it would make sense to put it to use. I might end up getting offered a writing class; not exactly what I had in mind, but then again, much closer to the mark than what I'm doing now. Still, teaching students learning strategies definitely provides me some solid teaching techniques that I didn't have before. So I think this will serve as a positive learning experience for me in the bigger picture.
For something unexpected, I am the Assistant Coach for the Varisty Wrestling team. Frankly, I love it. I like coaching more than I do the day-to-day teaching. Then again, I'm also not teaching English but that's not to knock my involvement in sports. Depending on how the dice fall and I am here next year, I am definitely sticking with this. Further, if I am here next year, I was asked to be one of the Assistant Varisty Football coaches. Now THIS is pretty interesting to me. The head coach asked me to be in charge of the overall conditioning program as well as work with the offensive line. Conditioning I know, but O-Line I don't. Still, I'm a fast learner and if I don't get into a Ph.D. program, this will definitely be a great backup.
2. Both the GRE General and Subject test were completed back in the end of OCT & NOV. I didn't score as high as I would have liked, but they're done. All of my applications were shipped out a week ago today, and the waiting game begins. I'm currently applying to UMass: Amherst, UConn English, UConn Medieval Studies, University of Delaware, and Lehigh University. All of these programs look to be pretty solid and have scholars that I am interested in studying under. Of course, the important thing is that they find me interesting enough to invite to their program to study with them. :) Aside from the GREs, I do believe I'm offering a very strong application and what's more, the UConn programs appear to pull a variety of non-traditional students (not straight out of BA or MA programs and in their early 20s). I have to admit that I am sort of hoping for UConn as it would allow Lisa and I to stay put- no worries of selling the house or anything like that at all. UMass provides the same option and is as reputable a program, but the UConn programs have a much better financial package (and being a homeowner isn't cheap!).
I didn't end up staying in the Old English class, much to my regret. I think it was simply a case of biting off more than I could chew. Could I have taken the class and passed? Sure, probably. But would have I done well and really learned the material? Most likely not. So, I think it was a prudent decision.
I've completed roughly 50+ pages of my thesis and am nearing the completion of my rough draft. I will be turning in a copy of my completed draft in the second weekend of February to my advisor. At this time, we'll be spending the entire morning, afternoon, and part of the evening polishing this copy into a final product. The enormity of the project compared to past research projects was surprising, and am a better student for the experience.
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So there you have it: the general rundown of what's been going on... for anyone still checking this blog. Maybe I'll try to post a little more frequently? Who knows. Time for class so back to work for me! | | |
| Well, after 2 1/2 weeks of orientation, new students begin arriving at school today with classes kicking off this Monday. I'm glad things are finally getting started. Hopefully it will be an enjoyable time.
While the thesis isn't finished, it's not doing too badly either- maybe 25% of the way there? My advisor also gave me the thumbs up to extend into next semester. It's better to take my time and do a good job vs. hurrying it along and only doing an okay job.
I also started working on my post-graduate studies Tuesday night. I'm taking one class each semester this year that will be going towards whichever Ph.D. program I get accepted into. This fall is Old English and the spring course will be Beowulf (using the original OE manuscripts). It will probably be a lot of work, but it will be a rewarding experience.
I'm only hoping my allergies will calm down a bit as they have been really taking a bite out of me the past couple of days. Ugh. | | |
| Well, I'm sitting in a hotel room in Fayettville, NC waiting for my brother and his family to meet up with Lisa and I for dinner. We left Disney's Vero Beach resort in lovely Vero Beach, FL around 8:15am this morning, and covered exactly 602 mile in exactly 9 hour and 35 minutes. Not too shabby- though I made timing on the way down here. Now we're heading up to Delaware to visit with Lisa's family for a few days, and then up to Oswego (NY) to visit my family until Saturday.
And Monday, orientation at work begins. Mixed feelings there. I think that still having work to finish on my thesis (less research, lots of writing), GREs to study for and take, Ph.D. applications to complete, and a course in Old English that's going towards my Ph.D. (transfer credit). Lots to do. Still, here's to hoping the job is fun and plenty of good people to work with.
Anyhow, I'll post again when I'm back home and maybe even include a picture of two. | | |
| Friday morning, Lisa and I are driving off to Florida. We won't be coming back til the 15th, but then on the 16th, it's off to NY until the 19th. And then I go to work on the 20th. Looks like summer's officially on the downhill slide. During this time I'm hoping to make some serious headway on my thesis. I've been going to a bit slower than I'd prefer, but I've planned on using the vacation as a distraction free opportunity to get some work done. Hopefully things go as planned. :)
Harry Potter was great. The whole "we're on the lamb and hiding in the tent" bit was WAY too prolonged and ever-so-slightly boring, but everything before this and afterwards was well-worth the wait. I also watched the movie, "300." This movie was freakin' awesome. Can't say enough about it.
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| It's about 10:20 am, and I've finished "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." Won't say too much right now since Lisa will be starting to read it today. Can't really even say if I enjoyed it since she knows what will constitute my enjoying it or not enjoying it. All I will say is it's finished, and I'm a little sad to say I won't be ripping through anymore Harry Potter books at the rate of 759 pages in less than 24 hours again. | | |
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