2007 in Review
It's been quite a while since my last post, but for any readers I may have left, I thought I ought to post at least once more before the end of the year. First, this semester (and year) in review, one thing at a time:
- The semester ended well, and I am happy to say that not only did I make my first A in graduate school, I had my first 4.0 semester. This isn't the utter thrill it used to be, as God has taught me to have a much healthier attitude toward grades since starting grad school. Still, it's nice to see hard work (and it was both, let me tell you) pay off.
- On a more practical note, I've made some "career" strides this semester; at the very least, I've taken some genuine steps toward the goals of writing a dissertation, getting a doctorate, and becoming a proper academic. (1) I've finished a paper which, although it still needs a lot of work, could become something publishable in a respectable IO journal. (2) I've also picked up some technical skills in my two econometrics classes that could be very useful down the line; I definitely don't regret taking econometrics 4 instead of public policy. (3) I've been developing a positive professional relationship with one of the senior faculty here, and he has suggested we work on something this summer and possibly co-author a publishable paper. (4) Finally, I talked with another professor about doing a reading class essentially on his research methods, since I'm leaning toward something close to his field for my dissertation. All things considered, I'm doing my job.
- I spent this semester as "head" TA for Dr. Holmes, taking Van's place from last year. We had the ice storm cancel our final exam, so we gave the exam for as many as we could, and gave a make-up on Saturday. Unfortunately, this semester won't really be over until the beginning of the next, when the last make-up final is held. Behind the scenes stress and complications ensued, of course, but those are pretty much taken care of. I like teaching... I think.
- Christmas was very nice. Jessie and I decided before we got married that we would spend every Christmas together at home. No traveling. If anyone reading this is engaged, I highly recommend it.
On a more bloggish note, I am not really feeling much like blogging these days. Perhaps I'm out of interesting things to say (or just realizing that this is the case?). This blog used to be my outlet for philosophical and spiritual insights, but it hasn't been much of that in a while. I could use it as a way to express my political thoughts, or a forum for strange things my students say, or even a place for me to talk about my research in layman's terms, but I'm not sure I want to go any of those directions. Perhaps I aught to just let it lie fallow for a while. What do you (whoever still reads this after 2 months absence) think? Should I put my blog on sabbatical? Or retire it all together?
- The semester ended well, and I am happy to say that not only did I make my first A in graduate school, I had my first 4.0 semester. This isn't the utter thrill it used to be, as God has taught me to have a much healthier attitude toward grades since starting grad school. Still, it's nice to see hard work (and it was both, let me tell you) pay off.
- On a more practical note, I've made some "career" strides this semester; at the very least, I've taken some genuine steps toward the goals of writing a dissertation, getting a doctorate, and becoming a proper academic. (1) I've finished a paper which, although it still needs a lot of work, could become something publishable in a respectable IO journal. (2) I've also picked up some technical skills in my two econometrics classes that could be very useful down the line; I definitely don't regret taking econometrics 4 instead of public policy. (3) I've been developing a positive professional relationship with one of the senior faculty here, and he has suggested we work on something this summer and possibly co-author a publishable paper. (4) Finally, I talked with another professor about doing a reading class essentially on his research methods, since I'm leaning toward something close to his field for my dissertation. All things considered, I'm doing my job.
- I spent this semester as "head" TA for Dr. Holmes, taking Van's place from last year. We had the ice storm cancel our final exam, so we gave the exam for as many as we could, and gave a make-up on Saturday. Unfortunately, this semester won't really be over until the beginning of the next, when the last make-up final is held. Behind the scenes stress and complications ensued, of course, but those are pretty much taken care of. I like teaching... I think.
- Christmas was very nice. Jessie and I decided before we got married that we would spend every Christmas together at home. No traveling. If anyone reading this is engaged, I highly recommend it.
On a more bloggish note, I am not really feeling much like blogging these days. Perhaps I'm out of interesting things to say (or just realizing that this is the case?). This blog used to be my outlet for philosophical and spiritual insights, but it hasn't been much of that in a while. I could use it as a way to express my political thoughts, or a forum for strange things my students say, or even a place for me to talk about my research in layman's terms, but I'm not sure I want to go any of those directions. Perhaps I aught to just let it lie fallow for a while. What do you (whoever still reads this after 2 months absence) think? Should I put my blog on sabbatical? Or retire it all together?
posted by Norman at 5:32 PM
5 Comments:
Half the time, no strike that, three-fourths of the time you talk about what you're studying, I am totally lost, but in awe. I'm pleased to hear you're doing well and are still enthusiastic about your chosen path...
Is it possible to go wrong with [insert adj here] things students say? I mean, really? I vote for that.
Blogging is a difficult exercise in self-awareness: like a columnist, the blogger's chief end is to know profoundly and immediately the content of his own thoughts. Tolstoy would have been a good blogger, as would Shaw; but it's not for everyone.
But moods come and go. I don't see any reason to delete this blog: it's still interesting every now and again. One of these days, now that my apps are submitted, I shall probably update mine...
I see no reason to completely delete the blog. Unless, of course, it is like a carrot dangling over your head that you don't want and you feel guilty for not reaching for it.
But, silly analogies aside (for now), a slot for funny quotes is a grand idea.
If you find that you really don't want to post a blog entry anymore, but you still have thoughts you want to rummage through and explore, you might try a good, old fashioned, physical book with which to write by hand in upon occasion. It can be a manly composition book if you don't like the books normally considered journals.
Some thoughts.
you should not leave us.
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