I should be writing a 1-2 page self-evaluation for my feminist studies course, but the thought of trying to expand the single sentence that I’ve managed to write into at least 1 page makes me feel pretty “meh” at the moment. Seriously, how else can I say “Give me an A because I came to class and did the work and participated in discussion”? Talk about the worst assignment ever. :/ So here I am, writing a very rare Wednesday ROW80 check-in!
I haven’t touched anything blog or social media-related in quite a few days, and wow, I’m going through withdrawals. But I thought I would try to be a responsible sort of student and close Tweetdeck and Google Reader so I could focus on all the work that I have to do — painful, but necessary.
Classes ended last Thursday, and after that I fell into the spiraling madness of thesis-editing and final paper-writing. It is a strange vortex, rather like an alternate universe, where I forget the days of the week and maintain really odd sleeping hours, punctuated by brief sprints of writing and odd breaks filled with television and/or video games, and longer periods staring into space and avoiding work altogether.
This weekend, the television show in question is the original UK version of Being Human, which is so bloody awesome I cannot contain my glee. It is about a ghost, a werewolf, and a vampire who share a house and grapple with their attempts to fit in with humans without revealing their supernatural status — a genius premise, if you ask me. It is dark and somewhat creepy and funny and touching, all at once (for the record, I cried twice during the first 3 episodes, which I was not expecting at all). I’m almost through with Season 2, and I highly recommend it.
On the writing/work front, things are coming along. I finished writing a 14 page final paper for my feminist studies class today, which actually turned into a paper that I am proud of. Better yet, it opens up some interesting ideas that I can potentially explore for my dissertation.
The thesis-editing is finally happening. My methods section is totally finished and I’ve tackled rewrites and line-edits for half of the findings section. Now all I need to do is finish the second half of the findings section, tack on a few transition statements here and there, brush up the introduction, and write a conclusion. Cross your fingers that I can get the whole thing fixed and shiny by mid-month, so I can send it off to my advisor and be done with the whole business (at least until I get her edits back in January, that is).
Things are lightening up, but I’m not out of the woods just yet. My students submit their final papers tomorrow afternoon, so grading is my weekend priority. And I take off on Thursday morning for my parents’ house, where I’ll be for the next month (so exciting!). As result, blogging will continue be a little sparse through next week, but I will hopefully be back in full force once I vanquish all my school stuff. I have countless ideas for blog posts floating around in my head; the challenge is finding time to sit down and write everything out!
Finally, on a fun note, I did get a chance to get out over the weekend and pop into my favorite store that sells sparkly jewelry things. I found these amazing peacock earrings and had to buy them, since I am building an accessory wardrobe of feathered headbands, hairclips, earrings, and necklaces.
The longest, most epic earrings ever.
I’m excited to get back to my Google Reader and check out all of the posts that I’ve missed from y’all. Can’t wait to get back to blog-hopping!
December 6, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Being Human – UK version all the way!
Also, those earrings are fantastic! I can never wear long earrings though — I’m always scared I’ll get them caught in something!
December 6, 2011 at 11:37 pm
I feel like I should see the US version at some point, just to compare, but judging from the promos, I’m not sure I’ll like it.
And yes, long earrings are a bit hazardous, especially while driving. I have been in more than one near-accident because an earring has gotten tangled in my seatbelt strap, so these days I have to take off my earrings before I get in the car. 😛
December 6, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Look at you with those sassy earrings!! This is wonderful stuff, Lena – the end is in sight. 🙂 I can’t wait to hear that all this is behind you and your novel is all you have on your plate. In the meantime, I’ll see you for some late-night sprints on the #NaNoSlackMo train when your schedule frees up a bit. 🙂
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December 6, 2011 at 11:39 pm
Whee, thanks, Jenny! I can’t wait to clear the deck and do some sprinting with you and the rest of the gang — not writing something each day is making me a tad grumpy, so I’m going to have to squeeze 30 minutes or so in when I can. 😀
December 7, 2011 at 3:36 am
Love the earrings!
Hmm, never heard of Being Human … (I’m on Brazil, so some shows don’t come to this side of the globe), but I’ll check it out. It sounds fun!
Good luck with grading =)
Juliana Haygert recently posted..#ROW80 Checkin 12/04
December 7, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Thanks so much! I only found out about Being Human from a couple of friends of mine who recommended it. I think there might be some episodes of youtube that you might be able to check out, but yeah, it’s a great show. Excellent writing, tight plots, and a really interesting paranormal world.
Have a great week, Juliana!
December 7, 2011 at 5:01 am
Wow, you are busy! I know how hard it is to turn off the soical media, so well done on that one.
Keep up all the good work – and well done getting a Wednesday check in 🙂
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December 7, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Ack, social media is so hard to walk away from! It was only my cell phone charger breaking that forced me to disconnect for a few days, but it was a useful break. I still need to find a way to balance my computer time and non-computer time a bit better.
Thanks for stopping by, Helen!
December 7, 2011 at 5:41 am
Those certainly are ‘epic-earrings’…Ha! Love them.
Best of luck with your thesis work, the grading, and the feminest studies paper. That’s a lot to have swirling around in one brain at a time! And have a great visit home, too.
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December 7, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Thanks so much, Nadja! I am LOVING these earrings, although I think I might have to buy a second pair for my mom — I’m a little worried that she’ll sneak them out of my jewelry box when I get home. 😛
And I am soooo excited that you have finished Her Dark Baron. I will be snapping up a copy once my paycheck comes in!
December 7, 2011 at 7:08 am
Those earrings rock. 🙂 So much fun! And a little fun is definitely needed toward the end of a semester, though you seem to be doing great! Nice work on the thesis; you’re almost there! I know I’ll be cheering you on.
Also, that assignment does sound incredibly stupid, and seems to just confirm my theory that university studies are probably 75% about showing off your ability to B.S. the crap out of something….
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December 7, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Yay, thank you for all the cheering on, L.S. I have realized that I have an incredibly hard time finishing projects, academic or otherwise, so slapping a conclusion and an invisible ‘THE END’ onto this thesis is going to be a huge accomplishment.
And yeeeeah, that assignment… ugh. I am sure it’s rooted in some sort of feminist pedagogical belief — the ability for students to participate in their own grading, etc. — but after slaving away over a paper, offering up a bunch of arguments as to why my prof should give me an A is not what I want to do with my time.
Have a wonderful rest of the week!
December 7, 2011 at 9:56 am
Those earings are fahhhbulous. I am super jealous…totally gorgeous!
You are doing fantastic and what a great week! So impressed with your ability to manage your immense workload. No worries about blogging, we’ll be here ready and waiting when you’ve got the time…can’t wait to see the ideads come to fruition!
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December 7, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Thanks so much, my friend. I may have to head back to the jewelry store where I got them — they had a ton of other wild looking earrings, and I need to add to my collection. 😉
Have yourself a wonderful rest of the week!
December 7, 2011 at 11:38 am
I LOVE the earrings. Awesome find! As for the TV series, I’m a sucker for overseas programs. I don’t know if it’s the challenge of keeping up with them, or if the writing is that much better, but I’m always hooked within the first episode. I haven’t even heard of Being Human. Hmm.
Congrats on your progress with the thesis. That’s a lot of hard work. You’ll do great. You seem very dedicated, that will work to your advantage. Keep up the good work and enjoy your family time. Sounds wonderful 🙂
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December 7, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Yes, yes, overseas programs are some of the best! I’ve been thinking about writing a blog post about my favorite BBC shows — there’s just something different about the writing and the pacing, and the choices that they make with casting.
I only heard about Being Human because a couple of my friends told me about it, and I’m soooo glad that I finally checked it out.
Have a great week, Wendy!
December 7, 2011 at 1:46 pm
I see what you mean about that deadline. I hate self-assessments. But you’re almost done. Just hang in there!
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December 9, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Ack, aren’t they terrible? But I am happy to say that I vanquished it (a full page, plus 2 lines on the 2nd!), and I am so close to freedom that I can taste it. 😀 Thanks for stopping by!
December 7, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Oh my gosh, what a schedule you have right now! Thank goodness those sorts of pile-ups mostly only happen at the end of terms. 🙂
And the British version of Being Human? So fantastic! I think it’s the end of Series 2 that has the best episode, too. Really one of the best horror films I’ve seen, even it if is only an hour long. Enjoy!
Great earrings, too. They even sparkle on camera!
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December 9, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Thanks, Kim! I have to say, I feel really lucky that I haven’t had too many crazy points or breakdowns from too much work this quarter. And oh my gosh, I just saw the end of Series 2, and you’re right — absolutely riveting.
Thanks for swinging by!
December 7, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Love the earrings! And major kudos to you for juggling everything as well as getting your thesis done. That’s something I can’t even fathom. Good luck the rest of the week!
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December 9, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Thanks so much, Stacy! I’m not 100% sure how I’m managing the juggling, but so far it seems like everything is getting done. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
December 7, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Can you read the envy in my words? You are taking Feminist Studies? I am sort of in a self directed Feminist Studies course over here. Wowza mowza.
I finished grading today and I was so relieved to have it out of the way…. talk about weight off my shoulders.
NOW! Off to more fun writing days, eh?
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December 9, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Oooh, another fem studies lover! This is awesome! We have a feminist studies PhD emphasis that I’m taking — only 4 classes, but it’s interdisciplinary, so I get to meet lots of other students from other departments.
I realized today that I only have 32 papers to grade, which I can totally get out the way this weekend. So by Monday, I’ll be home free on the grading front.
Enjoy the writing time as well!
December 7, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Sounds like you’ve been busy!
Thanks for the photo – the earrings are gorgeous 🙂
December 9, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Busy seems to be my middle name these days. 😀 And thanks for the compliment on the earrings — I am having a difficult time taking them off.
Have a lovely weekend, Deniz!
December 7, 2011 at 6:59 pm
So busy, it sounds exhausting. Good luck with your thesis. Not that you need it. Sounds like you are doing great. Love the earrings. I was into the feathered earrings a long time ago. Didn’t know they’ve made a come back. Have a great week!
Robin McCormack recently posted..Row80 Mid Week Check in: plugging away
December 9, 2011 at 7:21 pm
Thanks, Robin! I’m definitely looking forward to having a break, I have to say. It’ll be nice to slow things down a bit, and gear up for another quarter.
And yes, feathered earrings are everywhere these days. I’m trying to snap up as many as I can in the event that they disappear again.
December 7, 2011 at 10:40 pm
Wonderful earrings, and yay for classes finishing! Good luck getting your studies finished so you can play 🙂
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December 9, 2011 at 7:21 pm
Thanks, Sarah! My brain is churning with all the fun things that I want to do. 🙂
December 7, 2011 at 10:54 pm
Being Human is really a great story! I love the idea of the three being able to “co-exist” with each other despite their large differences on their “personalities”.
I really hope you can finish all your thesis work by next week. I would be a shame to be doing that during the holidays.
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December 9, 2011 at 7:25 pm
The lead actors definitely do an amazing job bringing the show to life, I think, and I love the dynamics that play out between them.
Thanks for reading, Christopher!
December 7, 2011 at 11:45 pm
How cute are you with your glasses and earrings! They are amazing!
Well done for keeping your head above water at the moment! NaNo took so much out of me I am enjoying some relaxing reading time whereas for you things have got even busier. Good luck with your school work and keep in mind how soon you will be home! Also, I think that sentence should be your evaluation opening….genius!
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December 9, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Thanks so much, my dear! I am sososo obsessed with feather earrings at the moment (goes with all the bird story/bird-watching/world-building I’ve been doing, methinks). And I can’t wait till all I have on my agenda is blogging and writing. It is going to be so magical. 😀
December 8, 2011 at 12:03 am
Oh, I WANT THOSE!!! Fabulous, amazing and so eye-catching earrings 🙂
You are a busy bee, girl. I don’t blame you for taking time off social media. It is a wonderful place but such a time sucker.
Have a great and a very productive week!
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December 9, 2011 at 7:29 pm
Thanks, Angela! And yeah, I adore social media with every bone in my body, but some days, I definitely need to disconnect and walk away from the computer for a bit.
Have a wonderful weekend!
December 10, 2011 at 4:23 am
Wow, great job on that juggling, ROWsis! I have been off the grid, too–sorry to be so late checking on you, even though you are doing so fab, you didn’t need any encouragement at all. Truck through those papers, (self-assessment ACK!) and enjoy getting back to Tempest and Liane.
Like everyone else, I’m loving the earrings.
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