Best Sentences of the Semester

"The ability to manipulate people threw he say/she say I believe is amazing."
-From a student looking forward to a career in law, he didn't specify which side.

"There was a time, like in the 1800s, when women were not valued for their beauty."
-Written in test essay in purple pen.

"Boy was u wrong."
-Why this would ever need to be written in even a quasi-academic paper puzzles me.

"But now that I have had time to reflect, I now see how it has been detrimental to my success in my first semester of college."
-In an essay on how x program HELPED him. Right click, synonym...not antonym.

Shopping for Chotchkies

As much as I hate supporting the school bookstore, they have some wonderful crap for those who are more inclined to eccentric (i.e. ridiculous or odd) gifts (i.e. academics, specifically anthropologists).

Essays

My students are struggling with the concept of identify AND explain.

I am struggling with the concept of describing " your motivation, academic preparation, and aptitude for graduate study...describe your academic plans and research interests, your specialization within your academic field, your research experiences and your career goals." in 500 words.

two of my favorite things

Kittens and Pessimism...brilliant!

Please

22 bucks for transcripts from one school with NO rush orders... please AND waiting in line for 45 min to place the order.

going to a state school is a great deal until you realize you'll pay out the nose for for every "extra."

Getting Up Early is the Pits

What I have done since waking up at 5:30:

1. Said a rosary to put myself back to sleep. This always works. I'm usually in La-La Land by the second batch of Hail Marys.
2. Checked my email.
3. Played on blog.
4. Checked my email-still nothing new.
5. Fed the cat and the husband.
6. Played on Myspace/Facebook.
7. Contemplated my new haircut. It has gotten mixed reviews.
8. Checked my email-still nothing new.
9. Revised personal statement.
10. Checked my email-new email from myself.
11. Played on blog (again).

Teachers are People Too

"Prof. F did you ever drink when you were in college?"
No. I was locked in a room on campus and only let out to attend classes and go to the library. I never drank or had any fun. All I did was read and write.*

"As the only White person in the class, I think..."
Dear students I too am White and a person.


*Despite the fact that this is currently all I do (plus teaching my little darlings), I did have moments of greatness as an undergrad. I looking forward to their return.