Remembering childhood

I'm resting on the couch at the moment, enjoying a quiet moment with Froglette and letting my mind wander. I'm struck by the unbidden memories that float to the top.

When I was little, we lived in the country in Idaho for a while. My parents bought a house with some acreage and we farmed alfalfa while my dad was a computer engineer for HP. I have the mostly hazy memories of a young child, but one of my favorites is of the pheasants. They loved to nest in our field, and our dog Tinker would go out and bring home their eggs. Pheasant eggs are beautiful things, large (maybe the size of duck eggs?) and lovely shades of greenish brown. Tinker could bring home the eggs completely unblemished in her mouth - an impressive feat it always seemed. I brought them to kindergarten at least once to share with the teacher. I wonder know what Mrs Heart must have thought of that. Was she appreciative? Was it a strange act?

We have pheasants here in the Middle as well. I saw many of them last spring while driving back and forth to the SLAC I taught at. They were so beautiful with their white ringed necks and shiny green heads. They must like nesting in the corn and soy fields as well.

I wonder what stories and half formed memories Froglette will have of this time in the Middle? What stories we'll tell seven bajillion times until Froglette can repeat them without having experienced them first hand? I'm sure that stories of Miles will figure prominently. I can tell stories of at least 2 cats that were around before my time as if they are my own memories. And I know stories of my parents' dating and college days, building houses, and traveling on the motorcycle. I love how these stories and memories come floating to the surface unbidden, triggered by random thoughts and associations.

And I'm getting my degree in technology?

Well, I just finished my first class at SLAC. It all went fine, except for the fact that I taught without my notes or my powerpoint. Sigh. You see, I didn't make a backup for class today, since I was assured that my classroom had a computer hooked up to the projector. Thus, I didn't need to haul my laptop in. And, well, it did have a monitor and a projector. But for the life of me, I couldn't figure out where the "box" for the computer was, nor how to turn the damn thing on. I could clearly see the DVD player, a VHS player, and the monitor and keyboard. I could even see the laptop hook ups (but left the laptop in my office so I wouldn't have to haul it around as noted above). So, well, luckily, I've given and listened to the day 1 intro to basketweaving so many times that I didn't need my slides. But, I won't do this again for awhile. I'll make sure to print my slides from now on!

Oh, and the computer "box"? It was one of these. No wonder I didn't know it was the computer.

More later once I've driven home.

Living liminally

I've lived much of my academic life in the last 6 years liminally*. I've been between worlds: not fully a student nor a teacher. I have worked for and with professors for so long that this not-being has become rather normal. Many students are TAs for a short while, grading for a class or doing some research. I've been doing this longer than most, and have had close relationships with those I teach for/with. I've been fortunate to work for/with multiple faculty members who haven't seen me as a TA. In their eyes, or so they tell me and our students, I am a co-teacher in the classroom. In many ways, I am their colleague. However, as much as they may see me as a colleague, and as much as I can feel like one, I also cannot forget that they assign me grades (in many cases), determine my teaching appointments, and decide if I get to graduate. It's this betwixt and between nature of living liminally that has become second nature to me.

On Tuesday, I went to SLAC (that small liberal arts teaching college I have a job teaching intro to basketweaving at) to get the tour, meet the faculty, and all the other minutia of getting organized before the semester begins. It felt very strange, and it wasn't until my drive home that I realized that my relationship with the faculty there was different. Simply put, I wasn't their student. They hired me as an adjunct instructor, not a TA. So I have adjunct rights and benefits (parking, gym pass, long distance calling pass, my own wood-walled office). It's a bit strange to realize that I've been living in this inbetween world for so long without quite realizing how inbetween it really is. And it's strange to realize that I am only a few years shy of leaving this liminal place of becoming a professor to actual be one. I've been becoming so long, I wonder what it will be like to get there?

*Liminal is defined as the state of being in a transition or inbetween place. I learned this term from CultureProf when she introduced us to the work of Turner. Adolesence is a state of liminality (not a child and not an adult) and in many cultures, there are rites or rituals to help guide people during these inbetween times. I found the idea of liminiality confusing back then, but it has made much more sense to me over the years as I've had time to contemplate it more thoroughly. Thanks CultureProf

New opportunities!

So, a month or so ago, I applied for a job. Yes, I know I already HAVE a job (a busy one at that) but this job ad came to my email and was just about perfect for me. So, I applied. The job is teaching a class at a small liberal arts college (SLAC) nearby-ish. I'd get to teach a class in my discipline to students actually interested in the subject- how could I pass that up?

They interviewed me Wednesday, the assistant dean offered me the job Friday, and I said yes today.

On Wednesday, I submit a grant for a project in the spring as well. I'm collaborating with a professor in rocket science (not really) and we're working on a plan to buy me out of some teaching time at Farm U to do some cool rocket science meets basket weaving stuff. (Trust me, although I think it's cool, you aren't missing much by my obfuscation).

So, although there's still plenty to do this semester, next is looking pretty exciting! Woo hoo!