I love graduate school. And I think it’s really good for me. For the first time in my life, not only am I working hard (I suppose I’ve done that occasionally), but I’m making my formal education not only a priority in the obligation sense, but also a priority in that I actually value it and feel like I’m getting something out of it. Individually, these things have happened before–I’ve worked hard, sometimes I’ve felt like what I was learning was relevant, and sometimes I’ve not procrastinated–but I’ve never done them ALL AT ONCE before. This is pretty amazing.
My crit class is intense and requires reading major works of major critical schools each week, then reading studies of novels with the critical school in action, and then reading two novels and writing a paper on one of them from the point of view of last week’s critical school. Crazy and schizophrenic, but also really challenging and fun. My management theory readings are actually interesting, and it reminds me that I like being bossy and am actually kind of good at it. And reference will be a good challenge for me, because it involves being patient with other people, explaining myself clearly, and going out of my comfort zone in order to help others find information that they need. So, win, win, win.
It blows my mind that I’ve been here for about three weeks already. Tucson what? I never thought it would be such an easy transition, but it has been. In fact, it’s so easy to just feel as if this is where I am that I almost feel guilty. But we’ll see how I feel a month from now. The longest I’ve ever gone without seeing my family is six weeks, so that may be a hurdle when I get to the seven week point. But now it reminds me of Prague, where I was so into what I was doing and experiencing that it felt natural.
I take lots of breaks from my work, but I think they’re responsible breaks. I watch a funny television show, or I read a book and write the review that’s due. Or I go to the gym. I’ve done at least 45 minutes of cardio every day for the last week, and I also try to walk most places. Today I’m walking to the farmers’ market, where I’ll buy a lot of fruit so that I stop eating crappy food, and I’ll buy a lot of veggies for cooking and for making vegetable stock, because I have discovered that a crock pot is awesome. Healthy body, healthy mind. Good things all around.
I joined a student group, the Progressive Librarians Guild, which I think will be enjoyable. I’m excited to learn, connect, and plan. Life is too good. I feel lucky. And I hope the boat doesn’t rock.
