A brief moment of catching up

So. Updating at Camp didn't happen.

In a way, I never should have believed it would. My summers generally begin with a euphoric dose of optimism brought on by the escape from the classroom, the escape from Milwaukee, and the knowledge that I have always before met the challenges of camp life. Then, all too soon, I'm swept up in the current of actuality and find myself far too busy to write, and yet stubbornly unwilling to allow the words to simply dribble onto the page.

This summer was more challenging than I expected it to be. My second full summer as an East Side programer was filled with the normal work of programming, some extra programming challenges, and having to still deal with life outside of camp.

I still loved it. In a way, some of the challenges of being understaffed made it possible for me to get to know the campers better than I have been able to in the past. Running the riflery range (well, sharing the running of it with the amazing LG), was not a job I had anticipated, but it did give me the chance to spend hours interacting with the campers.

This is, I know, but the briefest of recaps of a long, gloriously difficult and rewarding few months. Camp is not an experience that is easily regurgitated or understandable by those outside of it. At least that's my current excuse for not writing a more complete summary.

As some of you know, I ended the summer knowing that I was going back to Milwaukee, but not knowing where I would live once I got there. That was . . . stressful. As someone who likes to make plans and maintain a high level of control over my life, it is uncomfortable to stand helpless in the face of an unknown future. Rereading that sentence, it shades into the hyperbolic. Nevertheless, I'll let it stand. I did feel helpless, and slightly panicked. That panic quickly turned to hopefulness when, the night before I was due to return to Milwaukee, a fellow graduate student contacted me and said she was moving, so her apartment was available.

I don't remember much of my initial visit to the apartment. In fact, some of what I thought I remembered turned out to be completely wrong. The one thing I was, unfortunately, not wrong about is that the carpet is hideous. Still, it's a decent place. JB is appalled by the grime in the shared hallway, but it is within walking distance of Marquette, has plenty of space, and is mine alone. The landlord even graciously allowed me to move in a week and a half early. Plus, I installed the internet access last night and am, as a consequence, feeling much more benevolent towards the apartment. One of my concerns with the place was also removed today as, after a couple of weeks of maneuvering, I was able to rent a parking space from my former landlords. Things are falling into place; Perhaps soon this space will feel like home.

I suppose it's time for another round of News.

My time at Marquette is over, and almost ready to begin again. I've decided to continue to pursue my PhD, and after another round of applications, Marquette remains the best option for me. I have mixed feelings about that, but generally it is a very positive thing.

I still have to move, and finding a new apartment alone is fraught with financial difficulty. It's not ideal to have to sign a new lease and make a security deposit during months of unemployment. Ah well, I did bring it on myself. As I mentioned before, I'm heading back to Barakel for the summer. That decision gives me about four months of zero income - but it's always worked out fine before, so I'm thinking providential thoughts. I always say that it's my last summer at Barakel, but it really could be true this time. After this summer, I'll have to be working on dissertation stuff year-round.

I have finished my M.A. degree. Marquette sent me a lovely letter in the mail informing me that I have passed my comprehensive exam. It was nice to see it in writing again. After a year and a half of it looming over my head, it's nice to keep in mind the fact that it is over.

Hopefully the summer will give me more time for at least brief blog updates, and maybe even some reading.

Pssst, blog-reading friends,

You get to be the ones in the know.

Barakel is my summer jam. We can't seem to shake each other.

Passed

I passed the MA exam. I feel so relieved. And happy.

Now to finish the rest of this degree.

The test has been written. All I can do now is wait for the results. And I am far from certain as to what the results will be.

I'm so glad it's over. At least for now.

Maybe I can sleep?

In one week this test will be over. I'll have no idea whether or not I passed.

I want there to be relief. I want there to be joy.

I'll settle for some sleep.

For the Moments When Teaching Has Lost Its Bloom

Week four of the semester is generally a difficult one; tests, papers, and overflowing schedules combine and create stressed students and busy teachers. Luckily, I'm both.

JB introduced me to The Moth last year. Basically, it's a storytelling event. He goes every month and graciously allows me to climb into his car whenever I would like to go along. It's a very positive character trait, I think. Since he introduced me to The Moth, I've used it in my classes and encouraged students to attend.

Last night was the February Moth event. I, along with another friend, hopped into the CARDIS and journeyed through the frozen wasteland of Milwaukee. Arriving at the theatre, we found seats and were huddling together for warmth when I was tapped on the shoulder.

Six of my students from last semester were there. They had come as a group, riding the bus for half an hour then walking the rest of the way through the frigid air.


It was a flurry of greetings, reminiscence, and laughter.

           "I miss our English class."
           "It was eight, so I wasn't expecting it, but we had fun."
           "Can I have retroactive extra credit if I tell a story tonight?"
           "You'll know my story when you hear it. You'll know it's me."

We met up again at intermission and at the end of the evening. It was wonderful to see them. They were my students. Now they're a group - choosing to spend time together - choosing to spend time together hearing stories and absorbing language.

I wish I could take credit for being an amazing teacher that has given these students something concrete, but I can't. And maybe I shouldn't want to. Those students and I spent a semester together, and, somehow, that wasn't the end of our stories. Our stories have been impacted, an ongoing transformation.