What to do today?

It's rare that I have a choice, actually. I have final projects for all of my classes, but I'm not working on them.

I overslept this morning. I decided to make French Press coffee as a treat. I drank it from a favorite cup made by a local ceramic artist that reads "si" on one side and "no" on the other. I enjoyed some Greek yogurt to complete my international slow-start breakfast.

Wilson desperately wanted to go for a walk. I half-watched the last :30 or so of "Meet the Press," then headed out with my buddy for a drizzly, but mild walk. I noticed a few yards in the neighborhood had many squirrels. In one of them I counted six squirrels, but I am sure there were more. These aren't sprawling yards, either. Oddly, this is the first time I realized that the squirrels were congregating near (and on and in) oak trees. Well, duh! My experience lately has proven that if I don't want squirrel obsession to distract Wilson from an otherwise *ahem* productive walk, I had better walk him while it is still dark.

So now, on a grey, drizzly day, I am planning (without planning) to stay in, cook a little, do a little crocheting (I made a granny square while watching Meet the Press), and try to get myself better organized for winter. I'm not complaining - it's November 20 and comfortable - I just know my tolerance for cabin fever. It is pretty low.

Remember this? Wilson didn't mind, but I did.

I'm having frustration with my graduate program. I submitted a proposal for a Directed Readings project for spring. I identified someone to oversee the project, I'm happy with the topic, I did a Literature Review (and allowed for additional research to be added as necessary), and submitted everything in advance of the deadline. My frustration rests with my academic advisor who either approves or denies all such proposals. My advisor replied with a passive/aggressive reply that didn't address whether it was approved or denied, didn't make recommendations for revisions, just let me know that she didn't care for the topic. I'm trying to decide whether my last semester of graduate school is worth the headache. I am pretty discouraged that during my entire graduate school experience, I have only encountered two or three faculty members who actually encouraged or nurtured their students. Once my degree is in place, I vow to never treat a student that way. Education is not competition. If my students do well, I have done well.

What to do today? I plan to do whatever I can do without planning. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Comments

[LMH]

Don't give up with just one semester to go - you'll regret it. Never let anyone get in your way, learn how to be a better teacher from the instructors who've been less than helpful to you. In the end, in spite of them, you'll have your degree.

[lois]

Thanks for the encouragement. I should have used my words better... I am trying to decide whether or not my Directed Readings project is worth it. I will finish - no question.