Brainwashed

Reason # 543 that writing papers is ruining my life: It's infecting how I think. You may argue that this is the reason for writing papers; it's meant to change how you think, otherwise it'd just be another busy work assignment. This, however, is beyond the call of higher education.

As you are probably aware if you have met me, I am obsessed with movies. Well, and plays, operas, and TV. There might be something in that, but if it ain't broke... In the past couple weeks, I have seen a production of Hamlet and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Both of which I found wonderfully entertaining, I might add. My concern is more for the fact that I start thinking of such productions in terms of how I would write an essay about them. There are several causes for concern in this.

First, I feel a sense of relief, as if being able to write about the arts again (go, English majors, go) would be a cakewalk compared to "professional writing". Secondly, I pick out quotes as I go along to prove my theory of a theme. I was literally trying to memorise portions of the Oompa-Loompas' songs in order to justify my theme. This is not normal. There is an argument for keeping a written journal about your teaching because one side effect is that you will start thinking about your teaching as something needing to be analysed on paper. Great. Works for teaching, but lay off my social/entertainment life. Stupid higher education; I loathe thee.

Those Crazy Kids

Okay, I never write this early, so if this is nonsensical, it's definitely not my fault. I am sitting here at my computer with my morning routine, which consists (sadly) of checking email and away messages before I venture out of my warm, warm room to go work out, usually having to walk through torrents of rain. Well, my computer and desk are right by my windows and usually my curtains cover them up completely, but today I can see the people walking by.

It is still before eight o'clock in the morning. A lot of kids walk by for class. Alright, first off, they suck for picking 8am classes. No one to blame but themselves. The kicker, however, is that they are all showered and dressed. I mean, like college kids looking like Seventeen magazine (I would say Cosmo, but please, these kids are like 19). I know that kids did this at Valpo, but there were only a few of them; and okay, honestly, how would I ever see them?

All I know is, I thought an 11.50am class was too early to shower for more often than not. I mean, you already have to wake up early to eat lunch with the crew. And yes, by early I mean you had to be in the cafeteria at 11. My only hope is that this small percentage of the population is just bigger because this is a real school with real numbers in attendance. If not, these kids are freaks.

SIDENOTE: While typing this, I rubbed my eyes as I am inclined to do when I am sleepy. My rubbing was so ferocious apparently that I tore both contacts in my eyes!! Insane. Luckily, I have stockpiles of such things. Still... weird.

Bad Mommy

No, not my mom. My mom happens to rule. But some mothers, well, suck. I was walking back home from work today. I live on student central. Not really, but that's what they should call it. It's all student flats, and it looks the part. Well, I heard screeching coming from down the street. This was odd for so many reasons. Students are by nature more laid back than most; Kiwis are more laid back than others. By definition, this should be one of the most relaxed areas in the world (well, basically).

This mother was screaming up at her son (from street to doorway of house) for ruining her new flower. I kid you not: "You just put my lunch on a flower I spent fifty dollars... FIFTY dollars on! Are you proud of yourself?! Where do you get your brains, genius?!" Okay, his apology was really this: "Sorry Mom, I just wanted to give you a nice lunch I made; I didn't see your flower. I meant to be nice..." He trailed off then as his mother tore him a new pooper.

Seriously, what is wrong with this woman? First, why did she spend $50 on a plant? Why was it more important than the home cooked meal her 19 year old made her? Some people... Plus, her locale was stupid. Don't ream out your adult child in the center of studentville. It's just plain unnecessary and tactless. Reason # 187 my parents are better than most.

Don't Worry, Folks

I know what you might be thinking. "Annika hasn't posted much in the past few days... I wonder, I really wonder, if she's run out of things to say!!" Fear not, loyal readers. You can depend on me to have years and years of irrelevant and unnecessary chatter come pouring out.

However, I am a bit swamped at the moment. I am sure that you will get to see little outbursts of commentary from me, but mostly it will be ranting about how much I hate the kids in the library and how much stupid assignments rule my worthless life for the time being.

Not that you'll never hear an upbeat update from me ever again. I am just warning you that the next month might be all about whatever I end up researching and then bragging about Fiji. If you're up for it, by all means, you're welcome to read it. If not, check back in a month or so when life has regained its normal balance. :)

Jailhouse Blues

Yup that's a picture of how I got myself to study. I locked myself up in the library. Unfortunately, I still have internet which means I am taking my billion-th break. I think this really is the best place for me to study. I love these little cubicle things they have. I found the perfect one. It's near a pillar so it's kind of hard to get out of. The light above me is broken so it's slightly darker than others. Across the building from me (my usual view is staring at people who are meandering about the library), is a huge brick wall.

Yup, I love being a student! :) In all honesty, once I cut myself off from other people and, well, as much stimulation as I could I am pretty efficient. I am almost done with this paper that isn't due until Tuesday morning. That means I can work on transcribing my own interview (stupid Fiji costing me all my money... now I'm too broke to pay someone to transcribe for me) for Wednesday. Then all I have to do is finish my thesis and write two papers and a presentation. But then, oh man, then I am so ready for Fiji.

Oh and did I mention the coffee place is closed in the library for the weekend? I know. I'm a saint here.

Stupid TV

What is it about TV? I had such good plans for today. I was going to write a lot! I was going to write enough that this month won't be a hellfire and damnation downpour of deadlines. Instead, I wrote approximately 2oo words and am now retreating to my bed to watch TV and knit. Either I am really an 80 year old woman in the body of 23 year old, or I am having some motivation problems.

School is tough. I think I will make a great teacher for knowing this. When there is a half hour of school left on the second to last Friday of school, I will empathise. When they have to do some stupid assignment of mine (that will be required by administration, not of my own devices, of course), I will empathise. I mean, I'll sort of laugh and say, "You ain't seen nothing yet, my friends!" But still, I'll feel their pain.

School is long and arduous. If I wasn't picking all my own paper topics and making my own schedule, I'd so be outta here. So go New Zealand for finally figuring out a way for me to have to blame myself if school sucks. Still. I have like two months of school left before summer and I can't friggin' wait.