For more pictures like this, go to punditkitchen.com
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Finally
So I finally figured out how to add my gmail account to blogger. Changes the way my blog looks slightly but at least now I don't have to sign out of gmail to sign in to my blog.
Talk about a X-mas present.
Hope all your wishes came true. I know my wish came true.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
"I Have Cookie Envy" and Other Randoms Thoughts
Yes, I have cookie envy, check out these beauties.
Maybe I can bake these next week. Check out the recipe here. and hang around for a rockin' Vegan blog.
So it finally hit me that the semester is done. I guess it was the 2 hour brunch I had with three people from school that I enjoy spending time with but don't get to see for extended periods of time, even though I share an office with two of them. Ha!
I also started training my replacement at the Union. I will miss working there, although I really don't have anything to do right now. My last day will be January 9. I have worked there for over 2 years now. Everyone there was so welcoming and warm, I hope that I am able to find a new group of people like that once I move on to my PhD program. Cuz lord knows that is not the way I would describe my other group of coworkers. (For a great example of that group check out this previous post). Don't get me wrong, they are not all like that, its just I like the people I work with at the Union better overall.
I have one week left to study for the GRE. Math book, here I come! All I need is to increase my score by 110 points. I am also reviewing some basic prefixes and suffixes of words to increase my verbal score.
Feeling fat. All my professional looking pants feel tight which is a problem since the wind is pretty cold right now and skirts are no bueno in this weather. (sing song) Someone needs to start hitting the treadmill...
I have to go get an oil change tomorrow. My car is starting to act and sound funny.
Nothing makes you feel more incompetent than trying to stamp the edges of an academic journal with the name of the library. I press in as carefully as possible but when I pull the stamp off, you can barely read the name. You gotta love service assignments in grad school. At least I ordered a new stamp pad for the library. It was delivered yesterday. Maybe that will help.
Still have to finish Christmas shopping. Though I was close to done, turns out not even close.
Tamale making in less that a week. Yay!
Even though school is over, I am still having trouble falling asleep. So tonight, after I finish cooking for a potluck dinner tomorrow, studying for the GRE and picking up my disaster of a room, I will try a hot bath with a "Dream On" ballistic from Lush.
Last thought, is anyone reading my blog anymore? Feels like I am simply typing for my own amusement. Leave a comment, will ya?
Maybe I can bake these next week. Check out the recipe here. and hang around for a rockin' Vegan blog.
So it finally hit me that the semester is done. I guess it was the 2 hour brunch I had with three people from school that I enjoy spending time with but don't get to see for extended periods of time, even though I share an office with two of them. Ha!
I also started training my replacement at the Union. I will miss working there, although I really don't have anything to do right now. My last day will be January 9. I have worked there for over 2 years now. Everyone there was so welcoming and warm, I hope that I am able to find a new group of people like that once I move on to my PhD program. Cuz lord knows that is not the way I would describe my other group of coworkers. (For a great example of that group check out this previous post). Don't get me wrong, they are not all like that, its just I like the people I work with at the Union better overall.
I have one week left to study for the GRE. Math book, here I come! All I need is to increase my score by 110 points. I am also reviewing some basic prefixes and suffixes of words to increase my verbal score.
Feeling fat. All my professional looking pants feel tight which is a problem since the wind is pretty cold right now and skirts are no bueno in this weather. (sing song) Someone needs to start hitting the treadmill...
I have to go get an oil change tomorrow. My car is starting to act and sound funny.
Nothing makes you feel more incompetent than trying to stamp the edges of an academic journal with the name of the library. I press in as carefully as possible but when I pull the stamp off, you can barely read the name. You gotta love service assignments in grad school. At least I ordered a new stamp pad for the library. It was delivered yesterday. Maybe that will help.
Still have to finish Christmas shopping. Though I was close to done, turns out not even close.
Tamale making in less that a week. Yay!
Even though school is over, I am still having trouble falling asleep. So tonight, after I finish cooking for a potluck dinner tomorrow, studying for the GRE and picking up my disaster of a room, I will try a hot bath with a "Dream On" ballistic from Lush.
Last thought, is anyone reading my blog anymore? Feels like I am simply typing for my own amusement. Leave a comment, will ya?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Update
When I logged into my email this morning, I had an email that stated the strike has been postponed as both parties are back at the negotiation table. I'm glad I didn't have to make a choice between the union and my students.
In other news,
pages left until the end of the semester. Yes, my countdown is in pages rather than hours to go. Time is immaterial at this point.
In other news,
pages left until the end of the semester. Yes, my countdown is in pages rather than hours to go. Time is immaterial at this point.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
UAW Calls A Stike
The United Academic Workers Union, which I belong to and represents me, has been attempting to bargain with the CSU system for a couple months now. Our contract has expired but even before that, they were not honoring the negotiated contract. The main sticking point is that we have a negotiated fee waiver which allows the Teaching Associates, Graduate Assistants and Instructional Student Assistants to work only one job as costs for being a student are drastically lower. How much lower? Depending on your position, lowered anywhere from $700 to $1,700 per semester. As negotiations have reached an impasse, the Union called a strike to begin at 7 am tomorrow morning.
I know there are grammatical errors in this post, I am very upset about this whole situation.
On one hand, I understand that unfair labor practices must cease and the only way to make a strike work is for all members to participate. And the service that TAs, GAs and ISAs provide to the university is invaluable. We teach basic courses for our departments, the ones that generate the most Full Time Enrollment which sets our budget allocation by the university each semester, we run lab sections which are required for the courses and we grade papers for full time professors. And that is just a partial list of our duties. In this economy, a tuition waiver really helps us provide the duties we are hired for AND be good students, the main reason we are on campus. Without fee waivers, may of us are forced to take second, sometimes third jobs. Either that or depend on someone else to help us pay out living expenses. Take a look at me, I live at home to save on living expenses (bless my parents for being willing and able to assist me) AND I have a second job on campus.
On the other hand, I think it is kind of a jackass move to ask for a tuition waiver during a budget crisis. The CSU's stance is that they cannot grant the tuition waiver as it will drastically cut the amount of money coming in through student fees during these tough economic times.
But the part that is really getting me is my sense of duty to my students. Those who teach Tuesday/Thursday classes are fine, finals begin on Thursday. They are done with instruction. But I teach Monday/Wednesday/Friday. And I have 9 students giving their last speech of the semester. If only they had waited one more day! Is it fair to these students to hand them over to someone else to grade their speech when I tell them I am looking for improvement over the course of the semester and then am not there to evaluate how far they came over the course of 15 weeks? Especially since the rest of their classmates got the benefit of my evaluation for this last speech, the hardest speech we require them to take.
I am preparing for the strike, have lesson plans ready and I can go in class on Wednesday to explain what is happening and say goodbye. But it is really bothering me. I really like my students, they have been so wonderful this semester. Everyone who has observed or interacted with my class has commented on how unusually interactive and attentive they are. They are great kids. We have so much fun in class, we spend a lot of time laughing. They are so nervous when they speak, it is fair to throw them a curve ball right before they give their final speech? How am I serving the students by stepping out at the last minute?
But that's the point, isn't it?
I know there are grammatical errors in this post, I am very upset about this whole situation.
On one hand, I understand that unfair labor practices must cease and the only way to make a strike work is for all members to participate. And the service that TAs, GAs and ISAs provide to the university is invaluable. We teach basic courses for our departments, the ones that generate the most Full Time Enrollment which sets our budget allocation by the university each semester, we run lab sections which are required for the courses and we grade papers for full time professors. And that is just a partial list of our duties. In this economy, a tuition waiver really helps us provide the duties we are hired for AND be good students, the main reason we are on campus. Without fee waivers, may of us are forced to take second, sometimes third jobs. Either that or depend on someone else to help us pay out living expenses. Take a look at me, I live at home to save on living expenses (bless my parents for being willing and able to assist me) AND I have a second job on campus.
On the other hand, I think it is kind of a jackass move to ask for a tuition waiver during a budget crisis. The CSU's stance is that they cannot grant the tuition waiver as it will drastically cut the amount of money coming in through student fees during these tough economic times.
But the part that is really getting me is my sense of duty to my students. Those who teach Tuesday/Thursday classes are fine, finals begin on Thursday. They are done with instruction. But I teach Monday/Wednesday/Friday. And I have 9 students giving their last speech of the semester. If only they had waited one more day! Is it fair to these students to hand them over to someone else to grade their speech when I tell them I am looking for improvement over the course of the semester and then am not there to evaluate how far they came over the course of 15 weeks? Especially since the rest of their classmates got the benefit of my evaluation for this last speech, the hardest speech we require them to take.
I am preparing for the strike, have lesson plans ready and I can go in class on Wednesday to explain what is happening and say goodbye. But it is really bothering me. I really like my students, they have been so wonderful this semester. Everyone who has observed or interacted with my class has commented on how unusually interactive and attentive they are. They are great kids. We have so much fun in class, we spend a lot of time laughing. They are so nervous when they speak, it is fair to throw them a curve ball right before they give their final speech? How am I serving the students by stepping out at the last minute?
But that's the point, isn't it?
Friday, December 05, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Holy Crap!
Some of you are aware that I am in the process of applying to PhD programs (Hence the increase in blog posts, better than actually working). Well, for a couple of the programs I am looking at, I missed qualifying with my GRE scores by 10 lousy points. So I have to take the GRE again.
TO THE TUNE OF $140.00
Yes, that is right, I just signed up to retake the exam and my pocket book is hurting. I also think I need to reschedule it because I signed up for an 8 am test. What was I thinking? But the next best option is 4 pm on Christmas Eve...
The crap I do without even the guarantee of a positive outcome...
***UPDATE***
So I went and rescheduled the exam, for December 24 at 12:00pm. Yes, that's right, Christmas Eve. And I paid $50 for the privilege.
sigh - why didn't I catch that taking an exam at 8 am is a bad idea for me in the first place and save myself some money. !@#$*&^*
TO THE TUNE OF $140.00
Yes, that is right, I just signed up to retake the exam and my pocket book is hurting. I also think I need to reschedule it because I signed up for an 8 am test. What was I thinking? But the next best option is 4 pm on Christmas Eve...
The crap I do without even the guarantee of a positive outcome...
***UPDATE***
So I went and rescheduled the exam, for December 24 at 12:00pm. Yes, that's right, Christmas Eve. And I paid $50 for the privilege.
sigh - why didn't I catch that taking an exam at 8 am is a bad idea for me in the first place and save myself some money. !@#$*&^*
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
*sigh*
So, today is thanksgiving. Little "t" because as someone who studies systems of oppression, this day is very problematic, for many reasons. For a brief articulation of part of this problem, check out my cousin Jefferson's blog here.
This year is especially troubling to me because of a conversation I had yesterday at work.
The conversation started out great, there is another student who's research interests align with mine and we had a great conversation about racial stereotypes. Then a third coworker jumped in. This is where the conversation fell apart. I don't have the energy to write about everything that happened but here are a couple excerpts of her highly offensive and racist comments.
During a conversation explaining the difference between using the term Asian and Oriental:
her: I just don't see it. I've read a lot of literature and Oriental has never seemed negative to me.
That's the whole point you moron. It is presented as something non-offensive when in fact it is. Literature, especially main stream literature continues to perpetuate this term as acceptable as a form of dominant hegemonic ideology. Me: Well, that's literature.
Later, after the conversation had shifted to the use of derogatory terms and their connotations:
Me: It's like using the term, 'I've been gyped.'
Her: I don't know what that refers to.
Me: That's okay, a lot of people don't. Gyp is a shorten version of Gypsy. It is referring to the fact that Gypsies are seen as thieves, liars, cheats and dishonest.
Her: Well, compared to our culture, they are.
Me: OMG!
(not my inside voice)
...
I left the office shortly after that, really worked up and super angry. Such blatant racism. I have so rarely run into it face to face that it is a shock to the system. I am use to covert forms of racism (also not acceptable), but this... And she didn't even realize how racist she was being, but that's white privilege for you. And I have to take a class with her next semester. Someone will have to hold me back if she says stupid stuff during this class. Our common class? Feminist Perspectives.
Her other class? Intercultural Communication.
I am very glad that I already took that class so I can miss her contributions to those discussions. I imagine they would go something like the conversation that occurred yesterday.
This year is especially troubling to me because of a conversation I had yesterday at work.
The conversation started out great, there is another student who's research interests align with mine and we had a great conversation about racial stereotypes. Then a third coworker jumped in. This is where the conversation fell apart. I don't have the energy to write about everything that happened but here are a couple excerpts of her highly offensive and racist comments.
During a conversation explaining the difference between using the term Asian and Oriental:
her: I just don't see it. I've read a lot of literature and Oriental has never seemed negative to me.
That's the whole point you moron. It is presented as something non-offensive when in fact it is. Literature, especially main stream literature continues to perpetuate this term as acceptable as a form of dominant hegemonic ideology. Me: Well, that's literature.
Later, after the conversation had shifted to the use of derogatory terms and their connotations:
Me: It's like using the term, 'I've been gyped.'
Her: I don't know what that refers to.
Me: That's okay, a lot of people don't. Gyp is a shorten version of Gypsy. It is referring to the fact that Gypsies are seen as thieves, liars, cheats and dishonest.
Her: Well, compared to our culture, they are.
Me: OMG!
(not my inside voice)
...
I left the office shortly after that, really worked up and super angry. Such blatant racism. I have so rarely run into it face to face that it is a shock to the system. I am use to covert forms of racism (also not acceptable), but this... And she didn't even realize how racist she was being, but that's white privilege for you. And I have to take a class with her next semester. Someone will have to hold me back if she says stupid stuff during this class. Our common class? Feminist Perspectives.
Her other class? Intercultural Communication.
I am very glad that I already took that class so I can miss her contributions to those discussions. I imagine they would go something like the conversation that occurred yesterday.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sounds of November
Very busy right now, trying to finish up school, just got back from a major conference in San Diego, working on my thesis and trying to apply to PhD programs all at the same time. With finals rapidly approaching, i usually make myself a CD to get through the week (entitled Finals FA 08). Here is the playlist currently helping me get through all this:
1. Intro from Pretty Good Year 2006 (Party Girl Presents)
2. Into the Void - NIN
3. Nothing Fails [Nevins Mix] - Madonna
4. Possession - Sarah McLachlan
5. Devil Inside - INXS
6. Sick - Sneakerpimps
7. She's Your Cocaine - Tori Amos
8. Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town - Pearl Jam
9. Marianne - Tori Amos
10. I Kissed a Girl - Katy Perry
11. I Dare You to Move - Switchfoot
12. Everything's Not Lost - Coldplay
13. Ain't No Other Man - Christina Aguilera
14. Candyman - Christina Aguilera
15. Move Your Feet - Junior Senior
I know, pretty random. Some songs were selected at random by Party Shuffle. Others have been stuck in my head for a while, so what can you do?
Hope your tunes are jamming too and keeping your feet moving through the last few months of 2008.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Having a Nutty
I have been trying really hard to stop venting what ever comes to my mind when ever I read something that annoys me. Unfortunately, I have not been that successful in not 'having a nutty' as I like to call it.
Most recent nutty? This morning, I received a pretty condescending email from the department secretary telling all the faculty that they need to clean their leftovers out of the fridge so it doesn't smell.
Now, I know it is not directed completely at me, but I could not help myself. I hate been spoken to like I am a child. There is no need to take that tone. And I tried to figure out why I reacted that way after my rant in the faculty office and that's what I came up with. Now if I can just work through my reaction before I actually have my nutty, that would be progress.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Oh Hai....
Still alive, not burned in the slightest, just really, really busy. Hopefully can post in a couple weeks.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Fun Stuff
One of those online quizzes. This one was What religion should you be?
You Should Follow Judaism |
 You believe that there is only one God, but you don't get too dogmatic about it. Instead, you simply try to live the most ethical life you can. Religious holidays and cultural identity are very important to you. You enjoy following religious traditions and find meaning in them. |
This 'n That
I took this morning off from work, so thought that I would post some of the thoughts I have had in the last few weeks.
********************************************************
Last night for the second time, a clerk in a store talked to me in Spanish. The first time, the clerk apologized, stating she was on autopilot. I guess my blank stare was a tip off that I barely understood her. Last night, the clerk spoke to me in Spanish the entire time. I thought I greeted her in English but... Luckily, sales transactions are simple enough that I can generally follow what the clerks are saying.
I don't know how I feel about this. On one hand, I am proud to be thought of as a fluent Spanish speaker. On the other hand, aren't the clerks making a snap decision based upon my physical appearance?
***********************************************
_-_model_pic_1.jpg)
Last night, I finally found a dress to wear to the wedding I will be attending this weekend.
I cannot believe it, the old gang will be together again! It has been a long time since we had one of our potluck dinners together. I miss them all, T3, Meesh, Ms. B, Ms. S, BJ & Chrispy. Now we have the addition of two partners as well. (Is the plural of spouses, spice?) Why is it as we get older, it is so hard to gather a group of people together? And we are not even that old! Between exhausting jobs, commuting, heavy school loads for three of us, and two people living out of town... it makes me sad. I use to organize these dinners because these people are important to me and I wanted to be sure that I got to see them at least once a month. I never thought that was too much to ask. But the dinners kept getting further & further apart until there were only 4 people involved.
I am super excited and glad that we are seeing each other for a happy occasion. We will have to be sure to get a picture of all of us, the original gang.
***********************************************
All the media and multiple bloggers are talking about Sarah Palin. (if you missed the SNL opening skit this last weekend, you have to see it. It was great). I have only this to say and then I will post no more on this topic.
I am sick to death of all the media reports and articles that state women are flocking to the Republican party just because they have a female candidate. Hello! Where were all these reports when Hillary was running? Is our society really that backwards that we vote solely based on gender? Really? I mean, REALLY? I believe in gender equality, the same society rules that constrain women also constrain men and transgendered individuals. If we truly believe in gender equality as a nation, a candidate's gender should make no difference, we should be voting on their qualifications as a leader and on their stances on the issues. That being said, I am not happy about ANY of our choices for U.S. President or V.P. There were better choices.
********************************************************
Last night for the second time, a clerk in a store talked to me in Spanish. The first time, the clerk apologized, stating she was on autopilot. I guess my blank stare was a tip off that I barely understood her. Last night, the clerk spoke to me in Spanish the entire time. I thought I greeted her in English but... Luckily, sales transactions are simple enough that I can generally follow what the clerks are saying. I don't know how I feel about this. On one hand, I am proud to be thought of as a fluent Spanish speaker. On the other hand, aren't the clerks making a snap decision based upon my physical appearance?
***********************************************
_-_model_pic_1.jpg)
Last night, I finally found a dress to wear to the wedding I will be attending this weekend. I cannot believe it, the old gang will be together again! It has been a long time since we had one of our potluck dinners together. I miss them all, T3, Meesh, Ms. B, Ms. S, BJ & Chrispy. Now we have the addition of two partners as well. (Is the plural of spouses, spice?) Why is it as we get older, it is so hard to gather a group of people together? And we are not even that old! Between exhausting jobs, commuting, heavy school loads for three of us, and two people living out of town... it makes me sad. I use to organize these dinners because these people are important to me and I wanted to be sure that I got to see them at least once a month. I never thought that was too much to ask. But the dinners kept getting further & further apart until there were only 4 people involved.
I am super excited and glad that we are seeing each other for a happy occasion. We will have to be sure to get a picture of all of us, the original gang.
***********************************************
All the media and multiple bloggers are talking about Sarah Palin. (if you missed the SNL opening skit this last weekend, you have to see it. It was great). I have only this to say and then I will post no more on this topic.I am sick to death of all the media reports and articles that state women are flocking to the Republican party just because they have a female candidate. Hello! Where were all these reports when Hillary was running? Is our society really that backwards that we vote solely based on gender? Really? I mean, REALLY? I believe in gender equality, the same society rules that constrain women also constrain men and transgendered individuals. If we truly believe in gender equality as a nation, a candidate's gender should make no difference, we should be voting on their qualifications as a leader and on their stances on the issues. That being said, I am not happy about ANY of our choices for U.S. President or V.P. There were better choices.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Oh, By the way
The
"
that time forgot" in town now has the "clerk that time forgot".
Some of you know what I mean...
"
that time forgot" in town now has the "clerk that time forgot".
Some of you know what I mean...
Saturday, September 06, 2008
In brief
Can you limp on both legs?
Yesterday:
Awake - 22 hours
On campus working - 19 hours
On my feet walking and climbing stairs - 12 hours straight
Everything aches from the knee down and I have the feeling that it will be worse tomorrow. Dropped 2.5 pounds in 2 days; don't feel dehydrated and I know what that feels like. Went to bed at 3 but work up at 6:30 today, fully functioning. I will allow myself to nap whenever and am taking Tylenol for legs.
More later.
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