A quick announcement that Nate and I will be visiting the Twin Cities from this Saturday the 7th until the following saturday the 14th. We are driving up Saturday, will be attending a friend's wedding on Sunday, and then doing a bunch of our own wedding planning all week amid visiting and Nate working all week too. So if you feel like tagging along on some cake tasting, or veil & shoe shopping, or flower shopping, or many of the other activities on my list (yes, MY list-- Nate will be busy during all the weekday hours), feel free to call me and come along! We're staying with my parents, as usual, so I'll be reachable there also.
We also plan on attending my cousin Kate's high school graduation party- so we'll see some of you there!
I'm pretty sure all/any spare time I have in MN will be spent discussing more and more wedding plans w/my mom and working on my thesis (materials for which I'm bringing along....booo....).
That's all for now-- just thought I'd put that out there! :)
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Lost, Kitties, and odds & ends
My friends Nicki and Dusty need to find new homes for their 2 cats, Ptolemy and Ari (6yrs & 2yrs, respectively). Nicki and Dusty are moving to NYC for Dustin to continue his schooling and they cannot have pets where they are going. So if you know anyone who is interested in adopting 2 adorable cats, let me know. Ptolemy and Ari need new homes by August.
Also, I'd just like to point out that the season finale of Lost in on tomorrow night at 8-10pm...(CST)!! So excited for that! For those of you who haven't yet joined the Lost community, I highly recommend it. :)
Other than these two bits of news, I don't have a whole lot but felt like blogging anyway. My thesis is still a thorn in my side, I'm working at the Museum and the Archives, I'm ebbing away at wedding planning details, and I wish I weren't so busy that I could sit by the pool all summer (*add activity to wish list). I haven't heard back from ANY of my many job applications all over the country, but I guess it may still be a little early. The current default plan for Nate and I is to move back to the Twin Cities, for better or worse, if I can't find a job. Seriously, this is possibly the worst economy to trying to find a job, let alone a job primarily in the humanities/non-profit sector. For some reason, people think that it is ok to cut funding for this aspect of life when times are tough. The governor of Florida (? I think, either that or a mayor in FL, I read it recently) didn't think so, and kept all arts funding afloat and the same as previous years despite economic plight. Maybe I should look for a job in the Sunshine state.
In about a week and a half, Nate and I are intending to trek up to Minnesota for about a week to do a ton of wedding planning. Right now there are about 13 items on our "to-do" checklist, which seems like kind of alot...but I think we'll manage...or at least, I'll manage w/my mom while Nate's working during the weekdays. I think one trip Nate will have to accompany me on is apartment shopping while we're in Mpls.... We already have a couple places in mind to look at, but if we want something comparable to what we have now, we are going to be paying twice as much as we do down here in Columbia. Columbia is dirt cheap compared to the Cities, and that is going to be a big re-adjustment after 2 years. Although we are mentally prepared for it after paying the high city prices all through undergrad, it doesn't mean we like it. Regardless of where we move to, TC or not, we'll likely be in a large urban area and rental property prices are just gona be high no matter what. Guess I'll just have to find a real, non-student job.....
That's all for now because I'm tired and don't feel like writing my usual book. Gets tiring after a while!
-c
Monday, May 12, 2008
Thesis - for all those who wonder what I'm spending all my time on
A thought occured to me after writing my last post. If I posted keywords, people could do a casual search of my topics to see what all the fuss is about.
If you want to know what I'm writing about for my master's thesis, try googling any or several of these keywords and read a few articles or blog entries that you find:
Elgin Marbles
Parthenon Marbles
Lydian Hoard
Karun Treasure (same as Lydian Hoard, just different nickname)
Euphronios Krater
Ka Nefer Nefer mummy mask (at the St. Louis Art Museum)
Monteleone chariot
Apollo Sauroktonos (keep on eye out for the bronze statue at the Cleveland Museum)
other keywords you might try:
Illicit traffic of Cultural property
Repatriation of cultural patrimony
Who owns art
Who owns antiquities
Who owns cultural history
Return of cultural objects
Archaeological ethics
Museum ethics
These are just a few key words and basic topics that my thesis discusses. If you are more generally interested in the above topics, try out one of the 'wandering and learning' links I have on the side of this blog.
If doing a little research and liesure reading doesn't get you going, I don't know what will.
If you have any comments or intriguing thoughts to share, feel free to post them!
If you want to know what I'm writing about for my master's thesis, try googling any or several of these keywords and read a few articles or blog entries that you find:
Elgin Marbles
Parthenon Marbles
Lydian Hoard
Karun Treasure (same as Lydian Hoard, just different nickname)
Euphronios Krater
Ka Nefer Nefer mummy mask (at the St. Louis Art Museum)
Monteleone chariot
Apollo Sauroktonos (keep on eye out for the bronze statue at the Cleveland Museum)
other keywords you might try:
Illicit traffic of Cultural property
Repatriation of cultural patrimony
Who owns art
Who owns antiquities
Who owns cultural history
Return of cultural objects
Archaeological ethics
Museum ethics
These are just a few key words and basic topics that my thesis discusses. If you are more generally interested in the above topics, try out one of the 'wandering and learning' links I have on the side of this blog.
If doing a little research and liesure reading doesn't get you going, I don't know what will.
If you have any comments or intriguing thoughts to share, feel free to post them!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Thesis woes and insights
So I've been doing more work on my thesis lately and I've realized how annoyed I get when people ask me about it. Is that normal? I try not to be annoyed and frankly it's nice to know people care and think to ask. But, sometimes, when everyone is asking, it gets to be too much pressure. So I've been paying attention to other fellow thesis writers and asked them about the topic (including insight from those who completed theirs in the past). Pretty much everyone says they hate constantly being asked about it. I think I finally figured out why this is, despite being rather obvious when one comes to think about it. Well, of course, we all know writing a master's thesis can be, and generally is, quite stressful. In addition to the stress, a thesis writer is constantly thinking about their thesis: what to write, what to research more, how to improve, getting it in for reading, what professors will think, avoiding professors for long periods so they won't ask you about it, hoping professors won't bring up your thesis in front of others, friends and family (both in and out of grad school and your program) asking how it's going because it is the only thing they know is a constant when in a master's program, etc, etc....
So I've decided that, yes, it is normal...to be asked about it- of course. And, yes, it is normal to get annoyed after a while. But, I must maintain a sense of appreciation for people who care to ask as well as remembering that I can be as vague or specific as I like, depending on the situation or my mood, a.k.a. stress level.
That being said, don't be afraid to ask me about it. Yeah right, now, right? No, honestly, it's ok, just don't over-do it; it is just the nature of the beast -- the beast being grad school. Soon it will all be over and I can move on. I don't mean to sound like I'm tired of graduate school, but in a way I am. I'm tired, I've nearly run out of gas, and I'm ready for the next challenge of life. In a way I feel like I've lingered too long, despite it only having been 2 years. Perhaps I sprinted too much in the beginning, like a bad track and field race in which my mind got ahead of my physical capability. I'm not really sure, but this is how I've felt for the last couple months, once I finally processed this semester.
I should say, however, that maybe I'm kidding myself, or just making excuses for bigger things that got in my way or excuses for poor time management. Because I'm not finishing my thesis until August, I won't be graduating until the end of the summer, which is just fine; it's just going to drag out the process and make it a bit more complicated. This situation came about because I had gotten behind in pretty much everything this semester from the word go. I've had one particularly understanding professor, much to my surprise and beyond any expectation. She helped me to prioritize and get back on track, a track which I'm still clinging to by threads, it seems, sometimes.
I got behind in everything because over the winter holiday I'm pretty sure that my brain went into a latency period and when the spring semester began in late January, it didn't come out of hibernation -- or at least, it took me a while to wake up and feel the momentum begin again. Or maybe I never really regained my momentum; I'm not really sure how I feel about this yet. I think I carried on through the semester with groggy-eyed vision, pretending I'd had morning coffee to those around me, but when in fact I hadn't really. I just wished I had and wondered why I just couldn't get around to turning the damn coffee machine on anyway. It tastes so good to be on track.
Looking back, hindsight being 20/20 (generally), there were a number of factors that hindered my normally good motivation. The first incident happened when my fiance, Nate, and I were trying to solidify our wedding plans, specifically the ceremony/reception venue. One would think that this decision would be relatively stress-free, right? Well, let's just say that I haven't been so enraged with both my parents at the same time, ever, than this situation. For the sake of siting this situation as water under the bridge at this point, I will only state thus: our wedding date conflicted with the Minnesota duck hunting season opener weekend, and somehow this caused a rippling, riotous, tantrum-filled petition from many male members (and non-members) of my family. Ridiculous. Glad that's over. In the end, common sense and the auspices of the Dept. of Natural Resources won out. This is the first and last time I will ever mention this incident on my blog, just FYI. I just wanted it stated for the record.
The second incident happened when a certain member of my family had an important mini-crisis which lasted several days. This happended at the end of January, or the beginning of February; I really can't remember anymore. One might say that I was visited by high levels of stress and unresolved issues from the past and present, as well as strong tensions among and between family members. I will not explore this incident here, but only state that old wounds (really only covered up for years, and never mended) were re-opened. I hate to use such a generic metaphor, but that's what it was. My immediate family was on edge and in emergency mode for days. I felt scared, angry, and exhausted. I kept thinking, and I still am, "when the hell is this issue going to be resolved?? Does anyone really realize how screwed up this situation is and how long it has been going on??" I know this is very encrypted description of events, but it has to be to 'protect' people, despite my desperate yearnings not to care. The point is, I've dealt with alot of familial strife this spring, and it is important for me to state, both for the reader and for me to say it 'out loud,' that it is a continuing issue, not a new one. It just seems to keep popping up and appears that it will never go away unless certain people finally, finally, finally, own up to their actions and words. I'm not holding my breath, but I do lose sleep over it.
The third incident is more generally accessible as an issue all can identify with. My grampa passed away in March, (my mom's dad), which was obviously, honestly difficult. I didn't really cry at my other two grandparents' (that have already passed) funerals because I was younger, but this one was definitely the hardest. In a way I was hoping he would hold out until my wedding in September, even if that is a selfish thing to want. I know he wanted to be there. I'm still not comfortable writing too much about him yet because it is just too hard on my end while writing this. I'll just say that his children and grandchildren were his sunshines and that he'll be missed dearly.
By the time all of these events had passed and their lingering smoke clouds blown over, and I was able to regain momentum again, it was April. To a student of any kind who is behind in April, this means tough situations and bargaining all through the month and into May, hoping to come out alive. I've tried to maintain a sense of calm throughout, telling myself that 'life happens' and to just let things be what they are. Explaining this sense to others is the hard part. I think, overall, I've weathered these past several months well, considering events mentioned and also those not mentioned here. I guess I just feel upset that I could not have finished with the pack because of events out of my control. It is fair to realize that some people have a breaking point and can handle only so much, and it is also a fair assessment that maybe I put unrealistic goals before myself and haven't given consideration to all unforseen variables. As an analogy, for a scientist, that doesn't spell defeat; it means keeping at it until the right equation results in success. I didn't like the cards I was dealt and expected the first equation to work anyway.
Going back to my original observation about my motivation issues starting at the beginning of the semester, I'd say that I have several good reasons for lack of said motivation. Nevertheless, it pains me to think that I couldn't push through it anyway. Is that actually just perfectionism hiding beneath the surface? Or is it dishonesty about who I really am and how I actually respond to the world around me? Perhaps a little of both, not necessarily mutually exclusive, I might add. It annoys me, as it has since high school, that other people's problems (particularly those that belong to people I care about alot) can affect me to such a degree. It also bothers me a great deal that the some of the same problems continue to afflict me, and are most definitely out of my control. I constantly wonder whether I'll ever get away from these issues and if I'll ever be able to function as though they no longer are an affliction.
I think the point of this post was to reflect a bit upon my state of being over the last several months. I think I'm finally at a point where I can do just this. I've had a hard time voicing alot of these sentiments, particularly resentment over some issues, in previous months thus far.
Oh sure, there will be plenty more incidents to come; it would be naive to think otherwise. I just wonder how I got to where I am sometimes, especially when considering what really matters. Right now, for me, that's finishing my thesis well, not quickly; finding a good job in a place that satisfies both Nate's and my needs; and having fun while planning and eventually enjoying our wedding. There will always be wounds to heal; I just wish some didn't take so much time.
That last line was almost too optimistic for my mood at the moment, to be completely honest, but at the same time, I can admit that statement is where I derive some of my motivation to keep moving, regardless of the situation.
I'm not much for cheesy sayings or sage-like utterings, so I will just have a word of the day:
perseverance.
So I've decided that, yes, it is normal...to be asked about it- of course. And, yes, it is normal to get annoyed after a while. But, I must maintain a sense of appreciation for people who care to ask as well as remembering that I can be as vague or specific as I like, depending on the situation or my mood, a.k.a. stress level.
That being said, don't be afraid to ask me about it. Yeah right, now, right? No, honestly, it's ok, just don't over-do it; it is just the nature of the beast -- the beast being grad school. Soon it will all be over and I can move on. I don't mean to sound like I'm tired of graduate school, but in a way I am. I'm tired, I've nearly run out of gas, and I'm ready for the next challenge of life. In a way I feel like I've lingered too long, despite it only having been 2 years. Perhaps I sprinted too much in the beginning, like a bad track and field race in which my mind got ahead of my physical capability. I'm not really sure, but this is how I've felt for the last couple months, once I finally processed this semester.
I should say, however, that maybe I'm kidding myself, or just making excuses for bigger things that got in my way or excuses for poor time management. Because I'm not finishing my thesis until August, I won't be graduating until the end of the summer, which is just fine; it's just going to drag out the process and make it a bit more complicated. This situation came about because I had gotten behind in pretty much everything this semester from the word go. I've had one particularly understanding professor, much to my surprise and beyond any expectation. She helped me to prioritize and get back on track, a track which I'm still clinging to by threads, it seems, sometimes.
I got behind in everything because over the winter holiday I'm pretty sure that my brain went into a latency period and when the spring semester began in late January, it didn't come out of hibernation -- or at least, it took me a while to wake up and feel the momentum begin again. Or maybe I never really regained my momentum; I'm not really sure how I feel about this yet. I think I carried on through the semester with groggy-eyed vision, pretending I'd had morning coffee to those around me, but when in fact I hadn't really. I just wished I had and wondered why I just couldn't get around to turning the damn coffee machine on anyway. It tastes so good to be on track.
Looking back, hindsight being 20/20 (generally), there were a number of factors that hindered my normally good motivation. The first incident happened when my fiance, Nate, and I were trying to solidify our wedding plans, specifically the ceremony/reception venue. One would think that this decision would be relatively stress-free, right? Well, let's just say that I haven't been so enraged with both my parents at the same time, ever, than this situation. For the sake of siting this situation as water under the bridge at this point, I will only state thus: our wedding date conflicted with the Minnesota duck hunting season opener weekend, and somehow this caused a rippling, riotous, tantrum-filled petition from many male members (and non-members) of my family. Ridiculous. Glad that's over. In the end, common sense and the auspices of the Dept. of Natural Resources won out. This is the first and last time I will ever mention this incident on my blog, just FYI. I just wanted it stated for the record.
The second incident happened when a certain member of my family had an important mini-crisis which lasted several days. This happended at the end of January, or the beginning of February; I really can't remember anymore. One might say that I was visited by high levels of stress and unresolved issues from the past and present, as well as strong tensions among and between family members. I will not explore this incident here, but only state that old wounds (really only covered up for years, and never mended) were re-opened. I hate to use such a generic metaphor, but that's what it was. My immediate family was on edge and in emergency mode for days. I felt scared, angry, and exhausted. I kept thinking, and I still am, "when the hell is this issue going to be resolved?? Does anyone really realize how screwed up this situation is and how long it has been going on??" I know this is very encrypted description of events, but it has to be to 'protect' people, despite my desperate yearnings not to care. The point is, I've dealt with alot of familial strife this spring, and it is important for me to state, both for the reader and for me to say it 'out loud,' that it is a continuing issue, not a new one. It just seems to keep popping up and appears that it will never go away unless certain people finally, finally, finally, own up to their actions and words. I'm not holding my breath, but I do lose sleep over it.
The third incident is more generally accessible as an issue all can identify with. My grampa passed away in March, (my mom's dad), which was obviously, honestly difficult. I didn't really cry at my other two grandparents' (that have already passed) funerals because I was younger, but this one was definitely the hardest. In a way I was hoping he would hold out until my wedding in September, even if that is a selfish thing to want. I know he wanted to be there. I'm still not comfortable writing too much about him yet because it is just too hard on my end while writing this. I'll just say that his children and grandchildren were his sunshines and that he'll be missed dearly.
By the time all of these events had passed and their lingering smoke clouds blown over, and I was able to regain momentum again, it was April. To a student of any kind who is behind in April, this means tough situations and bargaining all through the month and into May, hoping to come out alive. I've tried to maintain a sense of calm throughout, telling myself that 'life happens' and to just let things be what they are. Explaining this sense to others is the hard part. I think, overall, I've weathered these past several months well, considering events mentioned and also those not mentioned here. I guess I just feel upset that I could not have finished with the pack because of events out of my control. It is fair to realize that some people have a breaking point and can handle only so much, and it is also a fair assessment that maybe I put unrealistic goals before myself and haven't given consideration to all unforseen variables. As an analogy, for a scientist, that doesn't spell defeat; it means keeping at it until the right equation results in success. I didn't like the cards I was dealt and expected the first equation to work anyway.
Going back to my original observation about my motivation issues starting at the beginning of the semester, I'd say that I have several good reasons for lack of said motivation. Nevertheless, it pains me to think that I couldn't push through it anyway. Is that actually just perfectionism hiding beneath the surface? Or is it dishonesty about who I really am and how I actually respond to the world around me? Perhaps a little of both, not necessarily mutually exclusive, I might add. It annoys me, as it has since high school, that other people's problems (particularly those that belong to people I care about alot) can affect me to such a degree. It also bothers me a great deal that the some of the same problems continue to afflict me, and are most definitely out of my control. I constantly wonder whether I'll ever get away from these issues and if I'll ever be able to function as though they no longer are an affliction.
I think the point of this post was to reflect a bit upon my state of being over the last several months. I think I'm finally at a point where I can do just this. I've had a hard time voicing alot of these sentiments, particularly resentment over some issues, in previous months thus far.
Oh sure, there will be plenty more incidents to come; it would be naive to think otherwise. I just wonder how I got to where I am sometimes, especially when considering what really matters. Right now, for me, that's finishing my thesis well, not quickly; finding a good job in a place that satisfies both Nate's and my needs; and having fun while planning and eventually enjoying our wedding. There will always be wounds to heal; I just wish some didn't take so much time.
That last line was almost too optimistic for my mood at the moment, to be completely honest, but at the same time, I can admit that statement is where I derive some of my motivation to keep moving, regardless of the situation.
I'm not much for cheesy sayings or sage-like utterings, so I will just have a word of the day:
perseverance.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Attention readers: Take the readership poll
As a regular contributor to my blog and reader of other people's blogs, I'd like to find out how many people actually read my blog, to at least some extent.
I have found that I rarely get comments, which i am always sad about. I love getting feedback on the various issues i bring up and would love to hear from you.
So- please, make a comment on this post, regardless if you're the first one or millionth. I'd like to see whom i'm writing to most of the time! Just for fun and out of huge curiosity!
Thanks!!!!
P.S. If you are reading this through Facebook, please check out my actual blogger site: www.chrisinmn.blogspot.com
I have found that I rarely get comments, which i am always sad about. I love getting feedback on the various issues i bring up and would love to hear from you.
So- please, make a comment on this post, regardless if you're the first one or millionth. I'd like to see whom i'm writing to most of the time! Just for fun and out of huge curiosity!
Thanks!!!!
P.S. If you are reading this through Facebook, please check out my actual blogger site: www.chrisinmn.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Does anyone see the irony in this?
This is a screen shot of a video article from cnn.com from today. It is titled "Polygamist Ranch Raid" in case the lettering is too small to read. It is an interview with a local El Dorado, Texas citizen about their neighbors, the FLDS polygamists who are at present being raided for all their children and most of their women, after evidence surfaced on child/sexual abuse.
And, on the right is a bright blue ad for Viagra. In addition, before the airing of the video, there was also a video ad for Viagra, (the cheesy 'Viva Viagra' version).
I'm not so sure the cnn was thinking on this one......
Does anyone else see the irony in this layout of media?..............hahaha........
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Caving and job hunting...mutually exclusive, to be sure
So last weekend, Nate and I ventured out of our perpetual hermitage in the beautiful 75 degree (random, might i add) weather that came over Columbia oh so briefly. Saturday I was confined to a dimly lit lecture hall for a long-planned graduate student symposium which our graduate student organization has spent months planning. So, therefore, it was even more nice to get out last Sunday to one of Missouri's state parks located just SE of town. It is called Rock Bridge State Park and features a VERY extensive cave system spanning miles of underground speleological wonder. Much of the eroded limestone tunnel system has been mapped, but some is still yet untouched and uncharted. Between November and May, undaunted member of the public can sign up for spelunking training and take a guided tour with professional cavers and geologists. I don't think i want to try that one just yet...
The park is well-known for one primary feature, the Devil's Icebox, or a large carved archway (not in the pictures) which has an interesting past. Formerly, it was likely part of the extensive system of underground caves, but as water perculated through the limestone and eroded away its walls over the years, parts of it collapsed, leaving only a small section. In the late 19th century, it was dammed and utilized by a whiskey brewer as part of the mill's property. When prohibition swept America, the brewery shut down and was abandoned. The property was eventually picked up by the state and turned into a park, along with much of the land around it.
It definitely was a fun place to visit as a natural, local wonder. They have a great system of boardwalks and trails designed to cut down on the effects of prolonged foot traffic, allowing the 'ruralness' of the woods above the caves to be preserved. The lower caves were certainly (and I will remember this for the summer) a great place to coooooool off during warm days!!
In another note, Columbia is scattered with sinkholes. Sinkholes happen when the rock system, esp. water-worn limestone, is deteriorated and disappears. Rock Bridge park is also full of sinkholes due to the cave system, which is pretty cool and scary at the same time. Although it would be nice to avoid sinkholes in more urban and residential areas, such as greater Columbia, it simply is not realistic. Columbia is known to 'suffer from' scattered sinkholes now and then, which results in both some funny and serious situations, such as houses, cars, or parts of roads just disappearing from time to time. As one of my professors so eloquently put it about a year ago about living in Columbia, "You know you're living on one giant sinkhole!"
Besides Nate's and my escapades to the caves, I have been trying to keep up w/my studies and other committments. I have now applied for 4 jobs, in 4 different cities and states. I have applied for one in St. Paul, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia. I may also apply for some in Cincinnati, New York, and DC, but who knows what will present itself. Just getting my cv ready to go and writing cover letter after cover letter to convince people that i am 'the best' for the job is really a time-consuming and agonizing task. I also continually run into the catch-22 about experience: one always needs 'experience' for a job (well at least in my field). The thing is, you can't get experience if no one will hire you for that first job that will get you the experience. Of course, I have worked and interned at various places (thank god) so hopefully that will be the shoe-in that i need. Keep your fingers crossed!
In an update on my yoga interest, i got the dvds and have tried them out. i am always amazed at how sore one can be from the simplest movements.......... Guess that means its working..!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Under the graduate gun
So, I am now well into the semester, seeing as though we've already finished week 4 of 15. Just thinking about it and writing that gives me a jolt.
I guess I'm writing because my current general feelings are regarding my academic committments, the stress they're causing/will cause me, and a general feeling of being overwhelmed.
I know I'm ok, well, so far. But, I still have lots of work to do in those last 11 weeks that I'm in school. I've even had the thought that I might not graduate in May, but rather after the summer due to the workload. I think maybe i've pressured myself so much to finish "on-time" -- whatever that means -- that I haven't allowed life's inevitabilities and curveballs to fit in my 'perfect timeline.'
C'est la vie, non?
Well, maybe; all this remains to be seen.
Because I always seem to do well and better in school, and generally in life, when I work out more, I knew it was time to try out some yoga dvds since I never seem to make it to the gym on campus. I have an excercise bike at home that I use several times a week, but that gets repetitive and sometimes I wish my schedule didn't conflict with the free yoga class on campus. I miss yoga alot because it was one of the first things that I ever tried that actually calmed me down: nerves, tension, and racing mind. I've even fallen asleep in classes before in under 10minutes during the lay-down 'meditation' portions -- even during the busiest and most stressful weeks. It was down-right miraculous.
So, I bought myself some follow-along dvds to try out so that I can do yoga at home. I know i need someone else guiding me for many reasons, but primarily because if there isn't a guide, I'll get frustrated or lose interest. So, hopefully some newly inspired home yoga will in turn inspire some much needed calmness and focus in me for these next 11 weeks.
Of course, I can take those yoga lessons with me beyond just academic tensions...and also into the summer while the wedding planning and job searching intensity go up and up!
I know this is a short post for me, but I think I'll keep it at that. Brevity over gregariousness for now.
namaste.
I guess I'm writing because my current general feelings are regarding my academic committments, the stress they're causing/will cause me, and a general feeling of being overwhelmed.
I know I'm ok, well, so far. But, I still have lots of work to do in those last 11 weeks that I'm in school. I've even had the thought that I might not graduate in May, but rather after the summer due to the workload. I think maybe i've pressured myself so much to finish "on-time" -- whatever that means -- that I haven't allowed life's inevitabilities and curveballs to fit in my 'perfect timeline.'
C'est la vie, non?
Well, maybe; all this remains to be seen.
Because I always seem to do well and better in school, and generally in life, when I work out more, I knew it was time to try out some yoga dvds since I never seem to make it to the gym on campus. I have an excercise bike at home that I use several times a week, but that gets repetitive and sometimes I wish my schedule didn't conflict with the free yoga class on campus. I miss yoga alot because it was one of the first things that I ever tried that actually calmed me down: nerves, tension, and racing mind. I've even fallen asleep in classes before in under 10minutes during the lay-down 'meditation' portions -- even during the busiest and most stressful weeks. It was down-right miraculous.
So, I bought myself some follow-along dvds to try out so that I can do yoga at home. I know i need someone else guiding me for many reasons, but primarily because if there isn't a guide, I'll get frustrated or lose interest. So, hopefully some newly inspired home yoga will in turn inspire some much needed calmness and focus in me for these next 11 weeks.
Of course, I can take those yoga lessons with me beyond just academic tensions...and also into the summer while the wedding planning and job searching intensity go up and up!
I know this is a short post for me, but I think I'll keep it at that. Brevity over gregariousness for now.
namaste.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Historic Cedarhurst Mansion pics
Here is a preview of the Wedding venue, albeit in snow, from pics that my mom took about 2 weeks ago!:
Friday, February 01, 2008
Saturday, September 27th, 2008
Save it. Remember it. Be there.
McCann-Therneau wedding.
Finally- a date.........
Cedarhurst Mansion, Cottage Grove, MN
*wheew.....
McCann-Therneau wedding.
Finally- a date.........
Cedarhurst Mansion, Cottage Grove, MN
*wheew.....
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Bat-shit crazy
Who all has heard the term "bat-shit crazy"?
If you have raise your hand.
What did you do that for? I can't see you and if there are people around, they now think YOU are bat-shit crazy.....
Anyhow, the Urban dictionary defines "bat-shit crazy" as:
1.
Acting in a generally insane manner; Tom Cruise.
When Tom Cruise jumped on Oprah's couch, he proved he was bat-shit crazy.
2.
One step beyond just plain crazy. It is usually a temporary thing...sparked by something unexpected, or just really awful.
As soon as he saw me humping his mom, he went bat-shit crazy.
3.
Crazy to a degree bordering on complete insanity. The state in which one makes decisions which make the exact opposite of sense. See also: bat-shit
Example of usage: Why did Erin cheat on you with that greaseball? - Because she's bat-shit crazy.
This excerpt taken from: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bat-shit+crazy
You know that Swedish (or whatever.... something -hausen....) syndrome where once a topic is brought up, you just keep hearing about it ALL over the place for a while? (Mom- help me out on the name of that phenomenon...) Well, last weekend either me or Nate, or our native MN'n friend Nicki used the term 'bat-shit crazy' to describe something, and our friend Dustin (Nicki's husband, a native Iowan) had never heard this term before, much to our surprise. We discussed the definition and usage of the term and recognized that it is indeed a strange phrase.
Since this discussion I have heard Stephen Colbert (whom I would love to have officiate Nate and I's wedding.....just a little FYI that anyone could pass along to him...) use the term on my favorite show the Colbert Report, and also on at least 2 other tv shows.
Now I concede that using this term calls for desperate sentiment when attempting to describe something or someone, say Tom Cruise as above mentioned, or, say, Kim Jong-Il (leader of N. Korea, for those of you who have missed his 1993 inauguration...ha...and all of the bat-shit crazy things he does--- ooooo! I used the term!).
BUT: where does this term come from?
I invite you all to contribute your ideas and input on this serious matter.
I postulate that it relates to the harvesting and usage of 'bat shit,' or 'guano' as fertilizer, thanks to the creativity of Benjamin Drake Van Wissen.
cf. http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Guano
Every time i type in 'bat-shit' into an online dictionary i get something related to fertilizer or guano. Perhaps the vast quantities of guano harvested to produce fertilizer creates some type of awe among its procurers, or perhaps the fume or ingestion of said guano affects the procurers in some way unknown to the general public.
If someone could find out and post it in the comment section, I would be forever grateful and would be pleased to have your contribution to this mystery.
If you have raise your hand.
What did you do that for? I can't see you and if there are people around, they now think YOU are bat-shit crazy.....
Anyhow, the Urban dictionary defines "bat-shit crazy" as:
1.
Acting in a generally insane manner; Tom Cruise.
When Tom Cruise jumped on Oprah's couch, he proved he was bat-shit crazy.
2.
One step beyond just plain crazy. It is usually a temporary thing...sparked by something unexpected, or just really awful.
As soon as he saw me humping his mom, he went bat-shit crazy.
3.
Crazy to a degree bordering on complete insanity. The state in which one makes decisions which make the exact opposite of sense. See also: bat-shit
Example of usage: Why did Erin cheat on you with that greaseball? - Because she's bat-shit crazy.
This excerpt taken from: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bat-shit+crazy
You know that Swedish (or whatever.... something -hausen....) syndrome where once a topic is brought up, you just keep hearing about it ALL over the place for a while? (Mom- help me out on the name of that phenomenon...) Well, last weekend either me or Nate, or our native MN'n friend Nicki used the term 'bat-shit crazy' to describe something, and our friend Dustin (Nicki's husband, a native Iowan) had never heard this term before, much to our surprise. We discussed the definition and usage of the term and recognized that it is indeed a strange phrase.
Since this discussion I have heard Stephen Colbert (whom I would love to have officiate Nate and I's wedding.....just a little FYI that anyone could pass along to him...) use the term on my favorite show the Colbert Report, and also on at least 2 other tv shows.
Now I concede that using this term calls for desperate sentiment when attempting to describe something or someone, say Tom Cruise as above mentioned, or, say, Kim Jong-Il (leader of N. Korea, for those of you who have missed his 1993 inauguration...ha...and all of the bat-shit crazy things he does--- ooooo! I used the term!).
BUT: where does this term come from?
I invite you all to contribute your ideas and input on this serious matter.
I postulate that it relates to the harvesting and usage of 'bat shit,' or 'guano' as fertilizer, thanks to the creativity of Benjamin Drake Van Wissen.
cf. http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Guano
Every time i type in 'bat-shit' into an online dictionary i get something related to fertilizer or guano. Perhaps the vast quantities of guano harvested to produce fertilizer creates some type of awe among its procurers, or perhaps the fume or ingestion of said guano affects the procurers in some way unknown to the general public.
If someone could find out and post it in the comment section, I would be forever grateful and would be pleased to have your contribution to this mystery.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
"Monsters kick ass"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_zK2apRHI4
Some parent(s) out there has not been using appropriate language around lil children.....
And this is the result....
Hahahahah....
Nicki- I totally ripped this off your blog... THANKS!
Some parent(s) out there has not been using appropriate language around lil children.....
And this is the result....
Hahahahah....
Nicki- I totally ripped this off your blog... THANKS!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Ice Storm aftermath
Even the trees are super weighed down by the ice.
Mine and Nate's car TOTALLY covered in ice- which took Nate over an hour to even get IN the car after chipping the key hole and door.
And the window even was frozen. The parking lot was/is an ice rink of probably 2" of ice.
Mine and Nate's car TOTALLY covered in ice- which took Nate over an hour to even get IN the car after chipping the key hole and door.
And the window even was frozen. The parking lot was/is an ice rink of probably 2" of ice.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
SAFE internship :) :) :)
I am very happy to proclaim my victory in getting an internship with SAFE, Saving Antiquities for Everyone! WHOOOO! :)
Please see their link on the side bar or take a gander here:
http://www.savingantiquities.org/
This is an organization for which I have wanted to work since I first heard about it. The right time and circumstance presented itself, and now I can do an internship with them virtually (by doing research and writing articles) next spring, and earn credit toward my master's degree.
I encourage you all to at least take a minute or two peek at their website to see what they're all about!
If you're even a little bit interested, join their emailing list to see what kind of stories or events they provide.
That's my lil plug for SAFE.
Please see their link on the side bar or take a gander here:
http://www.savingantiquities.org/
This is an organization for which I have wanted to work since I first heard about it. The right time and circumstance presented itself, and now I can do an internship with them virtually (by doing research and writing articles) next spring, and earn credit toward my master's degree.
I encourage you all to at least take a minute or two peek at their website to see what they're all about!
If you're even a little bit interested, join their emailing list to see what kind of stories or events they provide.
That's my lil plug for SAFE.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
This is all i'm gona say.........
Oh yeah- there'll be some nicer pics up soon from the formal company party we attended last weekend where we're decked out in swanky, non-baggy clothes..!!
Sunday, December 02, 2007
belated, bulging update w/various thoughts- today's topic: thoughts on leadership and other various stuff
Salut mes amis!
I guess that fabulous Thanksgiving break update didnt exactly happen..... I'm pretty sure it was the most productive and busy holiday/student break i've ever had. I finished a paper, prepared a presentation, completed alot of research, etc. I hardly had time to do some extra work hours in the Museum, which you'd think i'd have w/o classes in session for an entire week. See, this is graduate school: even though you dont have classes doesnt mean a whole lot for how busy you are; you find ways to fill the gaps very easily......like all those things you're behind on or plan on BECAUSE you arent having classes. *whew. at least i made it through the week and the following one, too.
As for Turkey- very little was had. I went over to another grad student's house the friday before Thanksgiving to her lil pre-thanksgiving party and before many ppl took off for the week. We had the full turkey spread- mashed potatoes, stuffing, pies, etc. That was my Thanksgiving that night, and it was fabulous. Later in the week actually on Thanksgiving, Nate and I ate leftover lentil soup....! Ha! Oh well. We didnt really care cuz we weren't goin back to MN for the weekend and weren't about to cook an entire turkey for ourselves, so we were perfectly happy to eat Nate's home-cookin and watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. It was just perfect for us. It was even a lil cold down here in MO- surprisingly.
So, I just have this coming week of classes and then the following week of finals left for this semester, then i'm home-free (kinda) until late January. Obviously I still have alot to do before December 14th, but I'm happy so far w/how this semester is going. Over, winter break I will still have to be working diligently on my thesis, esp. when i return to Columbia in early January. I'll at least have 2-3 weeks to let my brain return from mush to functional over the holidays!
Now on to my main topic: leadership. For the last few weeks now I have been pondering on this topic- how it is defined, what it means in action or inaction, who has this skill, etc. This issue has been swirling in my head i think since sometime mid-semester because I am the "Art History and Archaeology Graduate Student Association" treasurer this year. This means I work closely with the 2 co-presidents of the organization, and also handle all of the money, including writing up budget proposals for funding for various travel, speakers, and general expense events, and also this year's money manager for our bi-annual spring symposium. Additionally, the 'ORG,' as it is called, is the University's student organization funding resource as well as guideline setter and enforcer for student groups on campus. They are a royal pain in the ass- and hands down the worst bureaucracy i have personally dealt with thus far. Putting it into perspective though, having to deal with them is not so bad considering all I have to do is arrange and submit documentation and budget applications to get 'free money,' which is funded from portions of the Student Activity Fee, which all students pay. Anyway, my point is that the position is fairly labor-intensive, which some of my AHAGSA colleagues will confirm upon any mention of 'the ORG'. Additionally, the treasurer has to work with other symposium committees' members to access ORG funds which they grant us when it comes to symposium planning and prep. There's alot of communication that needs to happen and we're a fairly informal organization, often different depending on the year's co-prezes, so sometimes communication skills are lacking. In this case, we start to have internal issues which i believe all stem from lack of communication. Recently, let's just say there was an 'incident' in which this was the case. It caused problems, which ultimately got resolved, but could have been done much better. Furthermore, I analyzed how i had personally dealt with the situation and i guiltily admit that, for my part, i know i could have acted better also. Hindsight is always 20/20, but does that count? In real life, which this position is preparing me for - i know, hindsight could easily be your last thoughts before being booted or fired from your position. Now i know what i can do to right my wrongs and have learned from this experience, but are some ppl naturally better leaders? Or, is it merely a matter of who has the most experience? Or, even, is it some combination of the two?
I got to thinking about some of the leadership training i had in high school and the leadership camps/retreats that i went to over the years. There is always one phrase that immediately comes to mind when i think of what leadership means: "The enthusiasm of the group never rises above the enthusiasm of the leader." This has always been a mantra that i've followed since it was practically engraved into my brain over successive years. This doesn't mean that a leader has to be constantly bouncing off the walls with obvious energy (in fact, that can be quite annoying), but that in moments when it matters and in communication with constituents (which should be nearly constant), a leader should always have a positive, uplifting, and motivated attitude which is clearly accessible and discernible, and if they have enough charisma, contagious as well. Is charisma learned, or does someone just have 'it'? That's debatable. I think charisma is certainly a positive addition to other leadership skills, but not necessary. As for the mantra, is this really true? I've been reflecting on the ppl in my life, now and in the past, who i feel are/were leaders, in some way. In thinking through the lists of names, some of the most successful leaders were the 'quiet' ones. Does this contradict the mantra to which i have for so long adhered? I got to thinking about this question and it is my conclusion that the quiet ones were successful because they listen well and therefore are successful in the eyes of their constituents because they accomplished some of the goals of the group. Because they were a listener and less of a communicator or talker, they were not as successful as they could have been. But- there's a fine line here. A communicator can go overboard by always discussing and never acting because they are so busy being engaged but not actually 'doing' things by themselves, despite perhaps well-delegated responsibilities. So, there has to be some greater balance between the two extremes. A leader cannot simply go about his/her tasks robotically and be passively agreeable; they have to be assertive both in giving and receiving information, that is communication skills. Aren't some of the greatest American and world leaders often given the epithet of 'the great communicator'? Pres. Bush will never earn that one, to be sure.
So, i rest my case in saying that my long-held mantra is only part of the story of what makes a leader. I think i need a new mantra to go along with it, not replace it. Additionally, I think i need to listen even more and press for more information when i dont have enough. Ppl listen to you if you have a record that shows you can get things done, and done well.
If you have any thoughts or mantras i might consider, write me a comment!
In other news-
I went to the Twin Cities this weekend for the annual LSS formal dinner at the top of the IDS tower in Mpls, which is Nate's company's holiday party. They invited me last year too, but i got snowed into Columbia. Instead, this year there were white-out conditions, aka 'blizzard,' in the Cities, which was esp. fun to watch from 50 stories up in the middle of downtown. It was truly the stereotypical conditions in which to visit home. I was only able to visit Friday afternoon to Sunday morning, (the dinner was Saturday night), but it was completely worth it despite being in the midst of my term finals. The dinner and dancing and people were all fun.
And, as my last note, Nate got to introduce me to his colleagues as his fiancee..........!
Take care and keep in touch :)
I guess that fabulous Thanksgiving break update didnt exactly happen..... I'm pretty sure it was the most productive and busy holiday/student break i've ever had. I finished a paper, prepared a presentation, completed alot of research, etc. I hardly had time to do some extra work hours in the Museum, which you'd think i'd have w/o classes in session for an entire week. See, this is graduate school: even though you dont have classes doesnt mean a whole lot for how busy you are; you find ways to fill the gaps very easily......like all those things you're behind on or plan on BECAUSE you arent having classes. *whew. at least i made it through the week and the following one, too.
As for Turkey- very little was had. I went over to another grad student's house the friday before Thanksgiving to her lil pre-thanksgiving party and before many ppl took off for the week. We had the full turkey spread- mashed potatoes, stuffing, pies, etc. That was my Thanksgiving that night, and it was fabulous. Later in the week actually on Thanksgiving, Nate and I ate leftover lentil soup....! Ha! Oh well. We didnt really care cuz we weren't goin back to MN for the weekend and weren't about to cook an entire turkey for ourselves, so we were perfectly happy to eat Nate's home-cookin and watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. It was just perfect for us. It was even a lil cold down here in MO- surprisingly.
So, I just have this coming week of classes and then the following week of finals left for this semester, then i'm home-free (kinda) until late January. Obviously I still have alot to do before December 14th, but I'm happy so far w/how this semester is going. Over, winter break I will still have to be working diligently on my thesis, esp. when i return to Columbia in early January. I'll at least have 2-3 weeks to let my brain return from mush to functional over the holidays!
Now on to my main topic: leadership. For the last few weeks now I have been pondering on this topic- how it is defined, what it means in action or inaction, who has this skill, etc. This issue has been swirling in my head i think since sometime mid-semester because I am the "Art History and Archaeology Graduate Student Association" treasurer this year. This means I work closely with the 2 co-presidents of the organization, and also handle all of the money, including writing up budget proposals for funding for various travel, speakers, and general expense events, and also this year's money manager for our bi-annual spring symposium. Additionally, the 'ORG,' as it is called, is the University's student organization funding resource as well as guideline setter and enforcer for student groups on campus. They are a royal pain in the ass- and hands down the worst bureaucracy i have personally dealt with thus far. Putting it into perspective though, having to deal with them is not so bad considering all I have to do is arrange and submit documentation and budget applications to get 'free money,' which is funded from portions of the Student Activity Fee, which all students pay. Anyway, my point is that the position is fairly labor-intensive, which some of my AHAGSA colleagues will confirm upon any mention of 'the ORG'. Additionally, the treasurer has to work with other symposium committees' members to access ORG funds which they grant us when it comes to symposium planning and prep. There's alot of communication that needs to happen and we're a fairly informal organization, often different depending on the year's co-prezes, so sometimes communication skills are lacking. In this case, we start to have internal issues which i believe all stem from lack of communication. Recently, let's just say there was an 'incident' in which this was the case. It caused problems, which ultimately got resolved, but could have been done much better. Furthermore, I analyzed how i had personally dealt with the situation and i guiltily admit that, for my part, i know i could have acted better also. Hindsight is always 20/20, but does that count? In real life, which this position is preparing me for - i know, hindsight could easily be your last thoughts before being booted or fired from your position. Now i know what i can do to right my wrongs and have learned from this experience, but are some ppl naturally better leaders? Or, is it merely a matter of who has the most experience? Or, even, is it some combination of the two?
I got to thinking about some of the leadership training i had in high school and the leadership camps/retreats that i went to over the years. There is always one phrase that immediately comes to mind when i think of what leadership means: "The enthusiasm of the group never rises above the enthusiasm of the leader." This has always been a mantra that i've followed since it was practically engraved into my brain over successive years. This doesn't mean that a leader has to be constantly bouncing off the walls with obvious energy (in fact, that can be quite annoying), but that in moments when it matters and in communication with constituents (which should be nearly constant), a leader should always have a positive, uplifting, and motivated attitude which is clearly accessible and discernible, and if they have enough charisma, contagious as well. Is charisma learned, or does someone just have 'it'? That's debatable. I think charisma is certainly a positive addition to other leadership skills, but not necessary. As for the mantra, is this really true? I've been reflecting on the ppl in my life, now and in the past, who i feel are/were leaders, in some way. In thinking through the lists of names, some of the most successful leaders were the 'quiet' ones. Does this contradict the mantra to which i have for so long adhered? I got to thinking about this question and it is my conclusion that the quiet ones were successful because they listen well and therefore are successful in the eyes of their constituents because they accomplished some of the goals of the group. Because they were a listener and less of a communicator or talker, they were not as successful as they could have been. But- there's a fine line here. A communicator can go overboard by always discussing and never acting because they are so busy being engaged but not actually 'doing' things by themselves, despite perhaps well-delegated responsibilities. So, there has to be some greater balance between the two extremes. A leader cannot simply go about his/her tasks robotically and be passively agreeable; they have to be assertive both in giving and receiving information, that is communication skills. Aren't some of the greatest American and world leaders often given the epithet of 'the great communicator'? Pres. Bush will never earn that one, to be sure.
So, i rest my case in saying that my long-held mantra is only part of the story of what makes a leader. I think i need a new mantra to go along with it, not replace it. Additionally, I think i need to listen even more and press for more information when i dont have enough. Ppl listen to you if you have a record that shows you can get things done, and done well.
If you have any thoughts or mantras i might consider, write me a comment!
In other news-
I went to the Twin Cities this weekend for the annual LSS formal dinner at the top of the IDS tower in Mpls, which is Nate's company's holiday party. They invited me last year too, but i got snowed into Columbia. Instead, this year there were white-out conditions, aka 'blizzard,' in the Cities, which was esp. fun to watch from 50 stories up in the middle of downtown. It was truly the stereotypical conditions in which to visit home. I was only able to visit Friday afternoon to Sunday morning, (the dinner was Saturday night), but it was completely worth it despite being in the midst of my term finals. The dinner and dancing and people were all fun.
And, as my last note, Nate got to introduce me to his colleagues as his fiancee..........!
Take care and keep in touch :)
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Stay tuned for Thanksgiving update next week....
Hey folks
Seeing as though I will have a week off from classes and some of my regular routine, I will be updating my blog with an entry next week. Right now, I've just got to write/finish this American archaeology paper and survive the next 36 hours or so before my brief holiday break begins.
Wish me luck and keep an eye out for a new post next week sometime!
-cmm
Seeing as though I will have a week off from classes and some of my regular routine, I will be updating my blog with an entry next week. Right now, I've just got to write/finish this American archaeology paper and survive the next 36 hours or so before my brief holiday break begins.
Wish me luck and keep an eye out for a new post next week sometime!
-cmm
Thursday, October 18, 2007
look out covergirl-- Mona Lisa beats those luscious lashes (& brows!)
"...a French engineer and inventor says he's uncovered part of the enigma.
Pascal Cotte announced at a press conference Wednesday that he has found definitive proof that when Leonardo da Vinci painted the original portrait he included "Mona Lisa's" lashes and brows.
Cotte examined the world's most famous painting using a high-definition camera of his own design. The device scanned a 240-million pixel image using 13 light spectrums, including ultra-violet and infrared.
The resulting ultra-high resolution photograph of 150,000 dots per inch yielded a reproduction of the "Mona Lisa's" face magnified 24 times. And there Cotte found the evidence he sought -- a single brushstroke of a single hair above the left brow. "
Pascal Cotte announced at a press conference Wednesday that he has found definitive proof that when Leonardo da Vinci painted the original portrait he included "Mona Lisa's" lashes and brows.
Cotte examined the world's most famous painting using a high-definition camera of his own design. The device scanned a 240-million pixel image using 13 light spectrums, including ultra-violet and infrared.
The resulting ultra-high resolution photograph of 150,000 dots per inch yielded a reproduction of the "Mona Lisa's" face magnified 24 times. And there Cotte found the evidence he sought -- a single brushstroke of a single hair above the left brow. "
Pretty crazy stuff- read the article (it's not very long!)
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Botanical art depicts Dalai Lama's garden, Chaska, MN
If you have a chance sometime this fall (now through Jan. 6th), go see Dianne Aigaki's beautiful botanical paintings of Indian and Tibetan plants from the Dalai Lama's garden! The picture is one of her paintings on display at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska (SW suburb of the Twin Cities). I've seen other paintings like this at the Botanical Gardens Archives in St. Louis, so I will probably go see this exhibit when I come home for winter break in December.
The name of the exhibit is: "Dream of the Turquoise Bee: The Search for Wildflowers in Tibet." And, here is an informational website published by MPR: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/10/15/botanicalpainter/
Let me know if anyone wants to go with me!
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