Saturday, November 20, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Done but with no light at the end of the tunnel
I've finished my dissertation. Stamped, submistted, sent...
This ends a big chapter of my life - school. Academia...
With the economy, there's not jobs for someone like me - an aspiring professor. I'd like more of a teaching load and less of a research load...I'm an excellent teacher.
But there are no jobs. None. I've interviewed (21 days ago) and haven't heard a word. I've sent out my CV, my application packet.
Why wouldn't someone want a girl with 3 publications, one more submitted and another in preparation? That would be 5 pubs for a PhD student. I think that's pretty good.
I'm also really good with students. I get how to teach. I love teaching.
Grr.
Anyone want to hire me? I'm creative; I'm a fast learner; I'm a critial thinker; I'm punctual and reliable; I'm organized; I'm patient; I'm good with technology; I'm energetic; I'm funny; I'm kind; I take on everything I do as if it is the only thing I do; I am what you're looking for. Just find me!
This ends a big chapter of my life - school. Academia...
With the economy, there's not jobs for someone like me - an aspiring professor. I'd like more of a teaching load and less of a research load...I'm an excellent teacher.
But there are no jobs. None. I've interviewed (21 days ago) and haven't heard a word. I've sent out my CV, my application packet.
Why wouldn't someone want a girl with 3 publications, one more submitted and another in preparation? That would be 5 pubs for a PhD student. I think that's pretty good.
I'm also really good with students. I get how to teach. I love teaching.
Grr.
Anyone want to hire me? I'm creative; I'm a fast learner; I'm a critial thinker; I'm punctual and reliable; I'm organized; I'm patient; I'm good with technology; I'm energetic; I'm funny; I'm kind; I take on everything I do as if it is the only thing I do; I am what you're looking for. Just find me!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
chapter 5, 46 lbs, knit-knit-knit!
Chapter five has eluded me, but I think I'm starting to get back into it. I had a major break through on Thursday and need to sit with it and really think for a good span of time.
I feel the pressure of my dissertation, applying for jobs, and, yes, holiday knitting coming down on me.
With finishing my dissertation comes the imminent realization that I will be leaving my home. I've lived here for 25 years. I lived abroad once, but I knew I was coming home. This is different. This time is final. I won't be coming home. That is difficult.
Applying for jobs is no fun. I have a hard time putting my academic worth into a small packet to be read by a stranger. I know I'm good at what I do. I know I haven't gotten any grants, but I know the inner-workings of the grant process and I know I am capable of getting money. I also know that I am an amazing teacher.
I've been working long, long hours. I sub during the day for the kiddies in public school. At night, I have been working 3 hours to teach ESL to adults. I love it. But it's not my classroom because I am just a sub. Recently, the job has opened up and I've applied. I am excited, but nervous. I have so many changes I would like to make given the opportunity.
Holiday knitting is stressful! I started in October. I thought it was early enough. I think it would have been had Aunt Carol's present gone more smoothly. It's still in trouble. Grandma's went swimmingly well, Kim's had to be frogged once but is mostly better, Mom's is finished - but I'd love to cast on for something else, Dad's is cast-on...and I still have to cast-on one more thing for Kim...but I got the wrong yarn! I figure, if it's not x-mas when these things are received, it will be ok.
Well, I'm down to 160. That's 46 pounds gone. 46 pounds. How the hell did I ever gain 46 pounds? If you really put it in perspective, I have gone from 46% body fat to 23% body fat. That is 94 pounds of fat on my body to 37 pounds of fat on my body. My waist went from 46 inches (I know, 46 is every where - it's easy to remember!) to 35 inches. My hips and waist are now in a healthy ratio. I feel great. I am not where I want to be quite yet, but I am getting there.
Excitement for the holidays is building! I have wishlists set up everywhere. And I just got my first interchangeable needle set from Knit Picks. I'm slightly nervous about the holiday eating and lack of exercise during the winter. But, I have faith that I can keep all that in check.
I feel the pressure of my dissertation, applying for jobs, and, yes, holiday knitting coming down on me.
With finishing my dissertation comes the imminent realization that I will be leaving my home. I've lived here for 25 years. I lived abroad once, but I knew I was coming home. This is different. This time is final. I won't be coming home. That is difficult.
Applying for jobs is no fun. I have a hard time putting my academic worth into a small packet to be read by a stranger. I know I'm good at what I do. I know I haven't gotten any grants, but I know the inner-workings of the grant process and I know I am capable of getting money. I also know that I am an amazing teacher.
I've been working long, long hours. I sub during the day for the kiddies in public school. At night, I have been working 3 hours to teach ESL to adults. I love it. But it's not my classroom because I am just a sub. Recently, the job has opened up and I've applied. I am excited, but nervous. I have so many changes I would like to make given the opportunity.
Holiday knitting is stressful! I started in October. I thought it was early enough. I think it would have been had Aunt Carol's present gone more smoothly. It's still in trouble. Grandma's went swimmingly well, Kim's had to be frogged once but is mostly better, Mom's is finished - but I'd love to cast on for something else, Dad's is cast-on...and I still have to cast-on one more thing for Kim...but I got the wrong yarn! I figure, if it's not x-mas when these things are received, it will be ok.
Well, I'm down to 160. That's 46 pounds gone. 46 pounds. How the hell did I ever gain 46 pounds? If you really put it in perspective, I have gone from 46% body fat to 23% body fat. That is 94 pounds of fat on my body to 37 pounds of fat on my body. My waist went from 46 inches (I know, 46 is every where - it's easy to remember!) to 35 inches. My hips and waist are now in a healthy ratio. I feel great. I am not where I want to be quite yet, but I am getting there.
Excitement for the holidays is building! I have wishlists set up everywhere. And I just got my first interchangeable needle set from Knit Picks. I'm slightly nervous about the holiday eating and lack of exercise during the winter. But, I have faith that I can keep all that in check.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Fire Jelly
So, I'm trying to can jalapeno jelly for the first time ever...so far, I've had to go to the store for more pectin...then, I got home to boil the vat of vinegar/sugar/jalapeno mixture and it boils over...I removed it from the burner, put it in a larger pot, and the thing caught on fire. Yes, flames.
I threw on a ton of baking soda to smother it...but am so annoyed. I spent a while picking and prepping the peppers. This will not defeat me.
The irony? I don't even eat jalapeno jelly.
I threw on a ton of baking soda to smother it...but am so annoyed. I spent a while picking and prepping the peppers. This will not defeat me.
The irony? I don't even eat jalapeno jelly.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Done with Yarn!?!?!
Ok.
I'm done buying yarn for a while. I have plenty. Dare I say too much?
There are a few that I will buy if the price is right/I get out of debt and am on ESK...
I still want to try MadTosh Pastoral and will buy Sundara FSM (esp. in reds), for example.
But, I have a huge box of yarn from Dizzy Sheep and like every color in the DiC Smooshy line...
But i have the drive to knit, knit, knit. I just cast on Ishbel and wanna start Red Skies at Night...
So.....I'm stash busting. I'm knitting as fast as I can. I'm learning lace. I'm finishing projects. I'm casting on new ones.....but I'm not buying any more yarn!
I'm done buying yarn for a while. I have plenty. Dare I say too much?
There are a few that I will buy if the price is right/I get out of debt and am on ESK...
I still want to try MadTosh Pastoral and will buy Sundara FSM (esp. in reds), for example.
But, I have a huge box of yarn from Dizzy Sheep and like every color in the DiC Smooshy line...
But i have the drive to knit, knit, knit. I just cast on Ishbel and wanna start Red Skies at Night...
So.....I'm stash busting. I'm knitting as fast as I can. I'm learning lace. I'm finishing projects. I'm casting on new ones.....but I'm not buying any more yarn!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Lace?
I am becoming a lace knitter.
I like being challenged. I like the complicated look of lace and love the ease of it. Who knew that mixing in a few yo's, p's, ssk's, k2togs with the k's would get such gorgeous results?
I have a crush on Anne Hanson's designs. Every single one of them. I want Bee Fields. Wow.
And Ishbel? Just gifted to me (thanks, Jen!). I've been lusting after this pattern for a long time now.
I just ordered some J Knits Lace-a-licious for something...not sure what, but it comes in 1200 yd skeins, so I should be able to make any Anne Hanson design. Ishbel will be from Mal Sock! I can't wait to cast on!
I like being challenged. I like the complicated look of lace and love the ease of it. Who knew that mixing in a few yo's, p's, ssk's, k2togs with the k's would get such gorgeous results?
I have a crush on Anne Hanson's designs. Every single one of them. I want Bee Fields. Wow.
And Ishbel? Just gifted to me (thanks, Jen!). I've been lusting after this pattern for a long time now.
I just ordered some J Knits Lace-a-licious for something...not sure what, but it comes in 1200 yd skeins, so I should be able to make any Anne Hanson design. Ishbel will be from Mal Sock! I can't wait to cast on!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Stash Death
In an effort to make money fast, I sold a large amount of my stash. Six skeins of Wollmeise, 4 skeins of Lorna's Laces sock, 5 skeins of Sundara Merino Sport, 1 skein of Shivaya Lace, 5 skeins of Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light, 2 skeins of Claudia Silky Merino, 2 skiens of Shibui Silk Cloud, 2 skeins of Claudia Hand Painted, and 2 skeins of Yarn Love Anne Shirley.
This experience has taught me to not buy yarn until I am ready for a project. I have, altogether, too much yarn. The allure of Wollmeise is over. The allure of a "good deal" has passed. I want to knit with what I love.
It almost brought me to tears when I came home after posting all the yarn from work...to touch it, bag it, address it, send it...was really hard. But I know that there are other loving homes out there...and I've learned my lesson about over stashing.
This experience has taught me to not buy yarn until I am ready for a project. I have, altogether, too much yarn. The allure of Wollmeise is over. The allure of a "good deal" has passed. I want to knit with what I love.
It almost brought me to tears when I came home after posting all the yarn from work...to touch it, bag it, address it, send it...was really hard. But I know that there are other loving homes out there...and I've learned my lesson about over stashing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
