It does sound cheesy to be excited over a baby panda in DC, but you should try watching this delightful camera and discover the joys of pandosity!!!
The Panda Cam
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Friday, August 26, 2005
Depression has finally kicked in
It was a dark and stormy night. . .
Well, knowing how cheesy it is to wax melodramatically, I do have to say that I am both very tired and somewhat uneasy now that things in Madison are kicking into high gear. I've met some very pleasant, down-to-earth folks thus far, but I am also thinking about the fact that there are still doubts. Doubts as to whether getting a Ph.D. is a good idea. Doubts as to what I am actually doing here.
Let's face it. I'm not the best teacher. I think I am okay in the one-on-one setting -- everyone is -- but I also realized how selfish I was in the past to short change my former students. Unfortunately, graduate school forces you to choose between being a fantastic TA or being a stellar student. . . few people can concentrate and do both. I figured it had a lot to do with being overworked with 2 classes to teach and 3 seminars to take. I found out recently that this system is rather unheard of, even in such economically tight times as these.
After meeting people here, I realize that I share these doubts with many graduate students. . . However, we are constantly trained to hide these true feelings. Many other students, due to their own insecurities and doubts, begin to gnaw at you and ridicule you for "keepin' it real" or whatever. You have to pretend to be an absolute, self-righteous asshole or else people will socially punish you for it. And this arrogance, this egotism, is the reason why Academia has such a bad reputation in other contexts. The ivory tower was really constructed to protect our egos from criticism and expectation.
I can partly sympathize with the views within and without academia. It's not looking good either way.
Well, knowing how cheesy it is to wax melodramatically, I do have to say that I am both very tired and somewhat uneasy now that things in Madison are kicking into high gear. I've met some very pleasant, down-to-earth folks thus far, but I am also thinking about the fact that there are still doubts. Doubts as to whether getting a Ph.D. is a good idea. Doubts as to what I am actually doing here.
Let's face it. I'm not the best teacher. I think I am okay in the one-on-one setting -- everyone is -- but I also realized how selfish I was in the past to short change my former students. Unfortunately, graduate school forces you to choose between being a fantastic TA or being a stellar student. . . few people can concentrate and do both. I figured it had a lot to do with being overworked with 2 classes to teach and 3 seminars to take. I found out recently that this system is rather unheard of, even in such economically tight times as these.
After meeting people here, I realize that I share these doubts with many graduate students. . . However, we are constantly trained to hide these true feelings. Many other students, due to their own insecurities and doubts, begin to gnaw at you and ridicule you for "keepin' it real" or whatever. You have to pretend to be an absolute, self-righteous asshole or else people will socially punish you for it. And this arrogance, this egotism, is the reason why Academia has such a bad reputation in other contexts. The ivory tower was really constructed to protect our egos from criticism and expectation.
I can partly sympathize with the views within and without academia. It's not looking good either way.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
They don't call it Mad City for nuthin'
Yup, the entire university is in a publicity uproar over the Princeton Review's ranking of us as the #1 party school. Quite coincidentally, this came shortly after the US News & World Report's review that we are the 8th best public university in the country.
I think this demonstrates that we have the smartest students in the country because they can go to class totally inebriated and still pull off a high ranking as a public university. Now that's sayin' somethin'!
I also heard that CU Boulder is off the party list. . . Given that most of their parties end up in riots, alcohol poisonings, or showers of tear gas, I can see why.
I think this demonstrates that we have the smartest students in the country because they can go to class totally inebriated and still pull off a high ranking as a public university. Now that's sayin' somethin'!
I also heard that CU Boulder is off the party list. . . Given that most of their parties end up in riots, alcohol poisonings, or showers of tear gas, I can see why.
Friday, August 19, 2005
At last. . .
I'm almost finished unpacking and ordering my new apartment in Madison, WI. So far, the weather is very humid and sticky. . . I hate rolling around in sweat all the time, but most people have told me that my body will adjust to the weather after a few weeks. Well, it's been two, and no. . . no adjusting has yet occurred. Although, I did notice my skin is much softer and my hair much frizzier than before. ARgh!
What I greatly anticipate is the new semester at a new school. I can't make any comparisons with the old program, and I must think positively and intelligently (with a slight degree of skepticism) while I am here. I must also learn not to talk so openly about my increasing OCD. It's never a good idea to meet new people who are not accustomed to the OCD experience. Not fun, not one bit.
I also stocked up the refrigerator with many beverages. I have 1 six pack of Guiness Extra Stout, 1 quart of Chocolate Silk, 3 12packs of Diet Rite in assorted flavors, 1 bottle of fruit juice, and 1 remaining bottle of a local microbrew.
I know that many folks in Wisconsin believe that their beer is the best, but come on! I'm from Colorado. Microbreweries like Breckenridge, New Belgium, and Oasis are phenomenal. You cannot compare Milwaukee beer to the beer in Colorado. There's just no denying it. Sorry Wisconsinites. . . your beer just isn't as good!
How can you compare a beer with a name like Smiling Cow to Sunshine Wheat??? You really can't!
I also don't understand Packer Pride, but I didn't really understand Bronco worshipping either. Let's face it; I'm just here for hockey!
What I greatly anticipate is the new semester at a new school. I can't make any comparisons with the old program, and I must think positively and intelligently (with a slight degree of skepticism) while I am here. I must also learn not to talk so openly about my increasing OCD. It's never a good idea to meet new people who are not accustomed to the OCD experience. Not fun, not one bit.
I also stocked up the refrigerator with many beverages. I have 1 six pack of Guiness Extra Stout, 1 quart of Chocolate Silk, 3 12packs of Diet Rite in assorted flavors, 1 bottle of fruit juice, and 1 remaining bottle of a local microbrew.
I know that many folks in Wisconsin believe that their beer is the best, but come on! I'm from Colorado. Microbreweries like Breckenridge, New Belgium, and Oasis are phenomenal. You cannot compare Milwaukee beer to the beer in Colorado. There's just no denying it. Sorry Wisconsinites. . . your beer just isn't as good!
How can you compare a beer with a name like Smiling Cow to Sunshine Wheat??? You really can't!
I also don't understand Packer Pride, but I didn't really understand Bronco worshipping either. Let's face it; I'm just here for hockey!
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