Attention, Comprehension, Retention

I've been preparing for this monster exam I have to take this fall for my MA degree in English.

The MA Comprehensive Exam

Yikes!

I'm organizing my notes, and I'm discovering how much more I need to read and how much more I need to know. The exam is not just about knowing plots and who did what, etc. This exam is about understanding novels, poetry, short stories, plays, etc. in their historical context as well as understanding different genres, comparing aspects between novels, identifying themes, symbolism, narrative styles, and a whole lot more than that--including understanding and using literary terms to describe various elements of a novel or novels or whatever. Like I said, it's about a lot more than reading a book and discussing the surface plot. But they know if you haven't read and if you are trying to fill the page or the air--yes, it's a written test and an oral test on two different days. I have to finalize my reading list and submit my Intent Statement by April 30. Oh dear!

This is scary, and I am definitely not ready at this point. I will be ready by the end of October . . . I hope. Did I also mention I will have to explicate a poem I've never seen before? I have time to prepare this summer, but I am already getting nervous--even though I heard it's rare to fail (you can only take the exam twice).

I feel overwhelmed right now, but I think I'll be okay when the time comes. I have several friends who are going through this with me. That helps. We are already discovering who is strong in specific works--so we can work together, rely on each other, share ideas, and learn as a group. Nice!

Improving Improvements for Body and Soul

I am definitely ready for Lent--the meditation on what it all means and how I can improve my spiritual life. I also enjoy the meatless soup followed by Stations of the Cross every Friday evening. I try to convince Ken to go at least for the soup, but that's not enough of a draw for him--especially meatless (he went once a loooong time ago). Oh well, I don't push, but I will keep trying. I did make a spinach lasagna with a garden salad last night for Ash Wednesday, and he didn't balk at all . . . well, not much anyway.

Since I don't eat meat (fish excluded, of course) on Friday all year, I'm giving up meat (fish excluded) during Lent. I did this last year, and I believe it worked very well. It was a big sacrifice, especially since I didn't tell anyone. Keeping something like that a secret for 40+ days, especially from Ken, was hard! I believe I shouldn't make a big deal about it and draw attention to myself and my "suffering" (okay, so I am making an exception with blogging about it :-)

While giving up meat for Lent doesn't compare to the sacrifice Jesus accepted and endured for us, it's still my small way of uniting my suffering with Christ's. An extra benefit is eating healthier! I never did go back to eating beef or pork after last year's Lent, so that's been a big health bonus for me. I wonder what the end of Lent will bring this year?

Spiritual and physical improvements are in the works!

My Cozy Place

It's wonderful to have a cozy place where I can curl up, relax, and read.

I consider myself a homebody even though I enjoy going out as well. I firmly believe that it's important to find a balance between going out and staying home and enjoying both. I actually like being in my house and doing little things to make it cozy and appealing. I also have no problem being alone. I'm not unhappy with my own company, but I definitely love when Ken comes home! This is a very good balance, and this balance keeps me going and keeps me happy. I don't feel the need to be with people--or even with Ken--every second of every day. Yes, I know many people who are unable to be alone . . . ever. When I am around people or when Ken and I spend time together, I find this time to be more meaningful and beautiful because it complements my time alone. Balance.


I just got this chair and ottoman, and I love it! This is my special place where I can curl up and read. All is as it should be in my cozy place!

2010 Ready or Not

I blogged quite a bit for most of 2009, but I kind of fizzled out by the end of the year. I'm going to say the reason my blogging fizzled is because I was very busy wrapping up the end of my semester and getting ready for the holidays, but I think a boring life is a more accurate reason. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bored with my life. I just think the events in my life and my personal thoughts about . . . well . . . anything might not be interesting to other people. I'm okay with that, but I will try to find some interesting things to blog about this year.

I don't officially make New Year's resolutions, but I do contemplate what events or changes the upcoming year might bring and what kind of role I might play in those changes. I have some things I want to improve about myself and my life. I don't really have the typical issues like smoking, drinking, overeating, etc., but I am a terrible procrastinator--more than average I'd say. I can usually cover up my procrastination fairly well, but it's stressful for me. It's not about learning time management because I've already been down that road . . . several times. Knowing what to do doesn't always lead to doing it. Here's the bottom line: I'm lazy. I have always been lazy, and I will always be lazy. All this laziness sometimes results in stressful situations. I want to make a few subtle changes this year to avoid that stress. I will never rid myself of laziness, but I can manage it a little better.

My spiritual life needs some attention as well. This is going to be a big focus for me this year because I can feel the *gasp* laziness creeping in. Unacceptable!

The mountain that is 2010 is before me. Here I go!

Movies 2009

1. Doubt--January 4
2. Gran Torino--January 17
3. Taken--February 13
4. The International--February 20
5. Madea Goes to Jail--March 21
6. Knowing--March 27
7. Duplicity--April 5
8. Fireproof--April 18 (special showing at my church)
9. State of Play--May 2
10. The Soloist--May 15
11. The Taking of Pelham 123--June 20
12. The Proposal--June 26
13. Public Enemies--July 4
14. Star Trek--July 11
15. The Hurt Locker - July 24
16. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince-August 8
17. Post Grad--August 28
18. Extract-September 5
19. Inglourious Basterds--September 26
20. Love Happens--October 2
21. Bright Star--October 9
22. The Informant--October 16
23. The Men Who Stare at Goats--November 6
24. The Blind Side--November 20
25. Brothers--December 4
26. Did You Hear About the Morgans?--December 19

Ready to Write?

Sort of. National Novel Writing Month starts in a week. I have a tentative . . . okay a solid plot idea, something I can run with. I haven't mapped it out or developed it in any way except in my mind, but I think I can make it work. I have so many other things going on, so we'll see what happens to my daily word count starting November 1. I like to write my yearly 50,000-word novel at night, which is also when I like to sleep. I'm barking mad I tell you!

I'm sort of, kind of, mildly excited about nanowrimo this year, and I'm open to creative and kooky ways to boost that excitement before next Sunday when the writing begins. I must warn you that I HAVE been a little off this past week or two. Not that being off actually relates to writing 50,000 words in a month, alone, in the dark, with that oh-so-fabulous laptop-glow illuminating my madness . . . er . . . excitement for passers-by or an indifferent husband to shake a solemn head at and to wonder if I'm brilliant or barking mad. By off I mean I've been making careless mistakes . . . in front of people no less, and I've basically made a fool of myself . . . in public! Ack! I really hate the inadequate feeling that goes along with such a public display of ineptitude. I've started taking a daily multivitamin, so that should help.

Prayers, Progress, and Papers

The fall semester is in full swing!

I'm still not sure how taking three grad classes will go as far as workload is concerned, but we'll see as the weeks advance. I've been doing quite a bit of reading (and even getting ahead), but I haven't done much writing yet. That will soon change. The good news is that I'm really looking forward to getting knee-deep into some papers and presentations. I know that last spring I struggled to find enthusiasm to write papers and to generally enjoy myself during this part of my academic journey. I have been doing a lot of praying, and I feel things are better. I can feel God guiding and directing me as I continually pray for my heart and mind to be open to His Word and to His Love. While I have had a few doubts about spending the time and money on my MA in English, I do believe I'm doing the right thing.

I rejoice in God's loving hand on my heart as I seek His Way.

As I slowly, but surely, make my way towards employment, I want to continue to seek His guidance so that I stay on the right path. Straying off the path is so easy, and getting back on the path is so incredibly hard . . . I know! I also know I can't do it alone. Having friends and family who pray for and with me and who Worship the Lord with me is a blessing!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. ~ Philippians 4:4-5

A Little Ray of Hope

I took this picture last night when we were on a short break from our Renaissance class. This unassuming rainbow is something we haven't seen in quite some time. I see it as a sign of hope! We have been in severe drought conditions for the past two years. This is not a matter to be taken lightly because the situation is serious. Seeing this bit of rainbow last night made me smile as I lifted my eyes towards heaven to offer God a prayer of Thanksgiving.

Today, 09-09-09, we are experiencing thunder and a lasting and drenching rain...with more of the same in the forecast. I am happy that God is looking with favor on the people, animals, and land of south central Texas. Our hot and thirsty community has been granted cooler temperatures and life-giving rain.

Thank You!

The Reader's Habitat

I have decided to start a book club! Yeah, you read correctly! I'm starting another project that I really don't have time for. I was part of a book club when I was working, but this one will be totally online. I like that idea because I know how hard it is to get people together to discuss books. Who has time to actually meet? No one I know, that's who! And I want this book club to be global. I also want this to be more than just picking one book, reading that book, and then meeting to talk about everything BUT that book. That's what usually happens in those meetings . . . I know. This book club will be different.

This book club will be more about getting to know other readers and what they have read, what they are reading, and what they want to read. I'm not sure if the members, once the site actually has members besides myself, will want to read a particular book together, but we can work that out if it comes up. I like the idea of listing books on a profile and having people comment on them. I also like the idea of people introducing and responding to various topics/discussions. Unlike several book clubs out there, this one is not specific to any type of book or author. This club is open to all kinds of reading! I know some people who only read romance or sci-fi or mystery, etc., and I wouldn't want to exclude anyone. I want everyone to feel comfortable sharing their favorites as well as discovering what others like to read!

Even though I don't have time to actually moderate a book club . . . or even participate in one, I have decided it's a good idea. I like knowing what other people are reading, and I don't want to limit myself to the types of books I tend to gravitate towards such as Victorian and earlier.

One nice thing about this book club is that it will allow members to participate as little or as much and as often as they like or can. Schedules are tight, but books are fun! Need I say more?

Okay, I'll say more.

I'm not sure where this idea came from because I haven't heard anyone mention book clubs in a long time, but the idea hit me out of the blue yesterday while I was reading (of course I was reading). I jumped out of my chair and ran to the computer (okay, maybe I didn't run, but I walked fast and didn't detour through the kitchen) to investigate possible book club sites.

I decided on Goodreads.com (I was already a member, but I haven't participated in anything since I signed up). I think this site will work well for what I have in mind.

A few people have expressed an interest to participate, so that's encouraging! I have called this new book club The Reader's Habitat because I think that name encompasses all kinds of readers and everything that can be read and shared, and the name appeals to the anthropological side of me for whatever reason you care to imagine. The name sounds earthy and full of the human condition! The name also sounds like the little houses hobbits have in the side of a hill, which I would totally love to inhabit because they sound so darn cute and cozy.

It's time for me to hole up in my reader's habitat and get some reading done.

Just in case you want to join me . . .
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/23893.The_Reader_s_Habitat

The Gulf of Mexico, Blue Skies, and a Little Bit of Sand

I spent a very short amount of time on the beach in Galveston this week, but I enjoyed it anyway. Ken and I are planning to go to Corpus Christi some weekend this fall to enjoy the coast without the throng of summer tourists and the outlandish heat of the summer of '09.

I love the salty aroma of the coastal air, the soothing crash of waves, the warm gulf waters, and the overwhelming feeling of a mysterious and watery world.