This week has been a week of semi-productivity. I'm not completely neglecting anything, yet I'm not completely engulfed by a massive amount of responsibility. I'm just kinda gliding through this week. It feels kinda like Friday, but it's actually only Wednesday.
I'm enjoying teaching my students, as nearly always. I'm kinda ignoring the book a bit and focusing on just kinda teaching them. I think it is working out well. I even graded about 90% of their tests yesterday. Which is good because I already have 50 compositions I'm behind on grading. Oi. I'll get to them eventually. I had them do something very different for homework tonight. I hope it works out well and that they enjoy and learn from it.
I had a mid-term last week that I really bombed. D+. It's probably the lowest I've ever gotten on something in GradSchool...yet, I'm not as worried about this class as I was about my literature classes last semester. I am really not learning anything in this class...my interest is also way low because this class is not actually applicable to my future studies or my future career. The only motivation for this class is not failing...and that's a horrible motivation (albeit valid).
Sidenote: Albeit is a very cool word.
I have another mid-term tomorrow in another class (obviously), but I have no motivation to study for it. I'm not nearly as worried, but I really should look at some of this stuff. It's only 9PM. I have a few hours before I should go to bed. I have learned far more in this class than in the aforementioned one though.
My phonetics class doesn't have a midterm, but it's really cool. It's actually turned into physics and maths at this point, which--while I don't completely love maths--I am good at maths and can easily understand it. The physics of language is just cool.
Finally, I should probably find something to do for Spring Break. Maybe I can find a ridiculously cheap flight to somewhere or gather up some people for a road trip. Although, that will be hard for those friends of mine who don't have a spring break or not the same weekend. Ah well, we'll see, I suppose.
Showing posts with label French. Show all posts
Showing posts with label French. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Apparently Five (or six...depending on how you want to look at it).
So I have gotten word about some of the stuff I'm going to be doing this summer.
I applied way back in the middle of January for teaching over the summer here at UF. I figure, I should probably find a job since I'm going to live here over the summer and I have 'real world' expenses. UF has two summer semesters, both about 7 weeks long. I was assigned to teach Summer B (July to Mid-August). I also applied two weeks ago for a position to teach French in Paris this summer. It would be held Mid-June to the end of July. I am still waiting to hear about that position this summer (hopefully sometime this next week). If I get in--which I hear from my 'secret sources' that I am up there as far as candidates go--then I'm going to hopefully try and switch teaching Summer B to Summer A (May to mid-June). Which means that my summer will be pretty full, but it will also be amazing. And I will have a steady flow of income and actually end up coming out slightly richer (which will be nice since I'm living pretty much paycheck to paycheck at this point...a little more financial security is always nice...for emergencies and such). Plus it will just be an awesome experience.
Anyway, other than that things are going relatively well in my life. I mean, I could complain (we could always find things to complain about) but I shouldn't complain. I've been really lucky and blessed over the past few months.
[Maybe I should tackle one of those things I said I would write about....ok, here goes]
As many of you know there are, in various languages, different ways to say "you". There is a familiar version (French: tu, Spanish: tú, etc.) and a formal version (French: vous, Spanish: vosotros/Usted, etc.) Because I speak French quite a lot throughout the day and I often find myself thinking in French and therefore praying in French, I wonder how I should address God. I mean, the almighty creater of the universe you would think should receive the upmost formality as possible--vous is the obvious choice. However, he is my father, my
Αββα, my אבא, so shouldn't I refer to him as tu? It's such a big deal in the French language and culture to use the right term and I think I just never knew which one. What if it applies in both ways?
Anyway, one day when I wasn't even thinking about it, I found myself on wikipedia (Quelle surprise!) and found out that many languages have two words for "you" including English. It turns out that English--back in the day--used to have a familiar and formal version of 'you'. I, honestly, had no idea.
It seems that back in the days of Thou and Thy these words were, in fact, the familiar versions of "you"; You and your were actually more formal. So when the King James version was being penned back in the ages of...well, King James, they realized that the all three, the Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew referenced God in a very familiar way...not distanced at all from his people as a more formal tone would suggest. We think of the KJV having a very formal tone because Thee and Thou and Thine and Thy all seem very archaic and formal to us, but they are actually showing a more closeness with our God.
I dunno, I thought that was really interesting, so I thought I'd share.
Man, how many languages can I put in one entry? lol...
I applied way back in the middle of January for teaching over the summer here at UF. I figure, I should probably find a job since I'm going to live here over the summer and I have 'real world' expenses. UF has two summer semesters, both about 7 weeks long. I was assigned to teach Summer B (July to Mid-August). I also applied two weeks ago for a position to teach French in Paris this summer. It would be held Mid-June to the end of July. I am still waiting to hear about that position this summer (hopefully sometime this next week). If I get in--which I hear from my 'secret sources' that I am up there as far as candidates go--then I'm going to hopefully try and switch teaching Summer B to Summer A (May to mid-June). Which means that my summer will be pretty full, but it will also be amazing. And I will have a steady flow of income and actually end up coming out slightly richer (which will be nice since I'm living pretty much paycheck to paycheck at this point...a little more financial security is always nice...for emergencies and such). Plus it will just be an awesome experience.
Anyway, other than that things are going relatively well in my life. I mean, I could complain (we could always find things to complain about) but I shouldn't complain. I've been really lucky and blessed over the past few months.
[Maybe I should tackle one of those things I said I would write about....ok, here goes]
As many of you know there are, in various languages, different ways to say "you". There is a familiar version (French: tu, Spanish: tú, etc.) and a formal version (French: vous, Spanish: vosotros/Usted, etc.) Because I speak French quite a lot throughout the day and I often find myself thinking in French and therefore praying in French, I wonder how I should address God. I mean, the almighty creater of the universe you would think should receive the upmost formality as possible--vous is the obvious choice. However, he is my father, my
Αββα, my אבא, so shouldn't I refer to him as tu? It's such a big deal in the French language and culture to use the right term and I think I just never knew which one. What if it applies in both ways?
Anyway, one day when I wasn't even thinking about it, I found myself on wikipedia (Quelle surprise!) and found out that many languages have two words for "you" including English. It turns out that English--back in the day--used to have a familiar and formal version of 'you'. I, honestly, had no idea.
It seems that back in the days of Thou and Thy these words were, in fact, the familiar versions of "you"; You and your were actually more formal. So when the King James version was being penned back in the ages of...well, King James, they realized that the all three, the Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew referenced God in a very familiar way...not distanced at all from his people as a more formal tone would suggest. We think of the KJV having a very formal tone because Thee and Thou and Thine and Thy all seem very archaic and formal to us, but they are actually showing a more closeness with our God.
I dunno, I thought that was really interesting, so I thought I'd share.
Man, how many languages can I put in one entry? lol...
Monday, December 03, 2007
Give me a chance to hold on...
Today I woke up after fifteen some odd hours of sleep. Not good you feel greatly rested sleep, but Nyquil and sickness-induced stupor that leaves you not wanting more sleep or to be awake. Which leaves me where?
Well right here, writing this blog entry in an effort to avoid even moreso doing these essays that are slowly becoming more and more pressing. I am nowhere near as far along as I would like, but that is ok. I will persevere. (Must believe this...)
The photo in this entry is the one that I think came out the best from the UF PhotoVentureGanza. I wish I knew a better way to frame it, I couldn't find a sort of photoshopping frame that I liked around it so it is now, as is.
Anyway, I'm off to do some more work (woo!) Any thoughts, notes, love, prayers, chicken soup, warm chocolate chip cookies, and offers for writing two 15-page French Papers on something I could care less about really interesting topics are greatly appreciated.
--M
P.S. In an ongoing theme of me complaining about weather in Florida. It is now the 3rd of December and it is not forcasted to have a high not in the 70s for the next 10 days. How depressing.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Comme l'épisode de la Madelaine....
It's quiet in here.
All I hear is the hum of the computer, the intense jingle the keys of this "QuietKey" Keyboard is making, and occasional whispers in the next room.
But this is quiet.
Normally, when I'm in the TA Office I am one of at least two other people in the room and we have a conversation about something. Today no one else is in here. I am able to sit and think silently alone and it is rather refreshing.
Not that I don't get enough alone time. I spend quite a bit of my time at home alone. But this is different somehow.
I'm never going back from dark roast coffee. I stopped by Einstein Bros Bagel Co. at the HUB to get a coffee because the line at Starbucks was too long (and because I was hoping for something cheaper). I spotted the Euro-French Dark Roasted Coffee and decided to give it a whirl.
Immediately, as my tongue touched the bittersweet coffee, I remembered how much I love Dark Roast.
On a completely different note, I actually enjoy reading Proust but can't seem to find the motivation to read something that someone is requiring me to read. I just don't get it.
I wish I could teach more and take less classes. Actually, if I could just teach and take the classes I wanted, I'd be ok with that too. In fact, I'd be more than OK, I'd be ecstatic. But, as they say, c'est la vie.
All I hear is the hum of the computer, the intense jingle the keys of this "QuietKey" Keyboard is making, and occasional whispers in the next room.
But this is quiet.
Normally, when I'm in the TA Office I am one of at least two other people in the room and we have a conversation about something. Today no one else is in here. I am able to sit and think silently alone and it is rather refreshing.
Not that I don't get enough alone time. I spend quite a bit of my time at home alone. But this is different somehow.
I'm never going back from dark roast coffee. I stopped by Einstein Bros Bagel Co. at the HUB to get a coffee because the line at Starbucks was too long (and because I was hoping for something cheaper). I spotted the Euro-French Dark Roasted Coffee and decided to give it a whirl.
Immediately, as my tongue touched the bittersweet coffee, I remembered how much I love Dark Roast.
On a completely different note, I actually enjoy reading Proust but can't seem to find the motivation to read something that someone is requiring me to read. I just don't get it.
I wish I could teach more and take less classes. Actually, if I could just teach and take the classes I wanted, I'd be ok with that too. In fact, I'd be more than OK, I'd be ecstatic. But, as they say, c'est la vie.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
La vie d'un étudiant avancé...
I've finally got my schedule all fixed and I think, even though it will be fairly challenging, this semester will work out well. As a grad student you actually really don't have tests (life is a test enough). Instead, you have 15 page research paper in a foreign language at the end of your class and TONS of reading. I've got about 10 books to read and 10 films to watch this semester for classes. It should be interesting... I'm going to know so much (useless) information about French literature, cinema, and linguistics.
What am I doing? lol......
What am I doing? lol......
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Literature, Television, and Java...
Mmm...French roast...
I had forgotten how much I enjoyed dark roasted coffee.
Also, I know people say that coffee makes you more alert, or whatever...but for some reason, caffeine seems to have the opposite effect on me and I end up wanting to take a nap. I'm not sleep deprived...I just want a nap after my three cups of coffee.
Teaching is going well. I'm enjoying it a lot. Their first test comes up on Friday. In a way I feel that it's not really just a test of their knowledge and understanding but also a test of my skills as a teacher and if they have learned anything from me this semester or not. I guess I'll find out this weekend while grading.
I've been watching a lot of random television on the internet. Northern Exposure is actually a cool show and makes me long for random conversations about physics and religion with Micah and Michael. It makes me want to live in a cabin in Washington or Montana (I think Alaska might be a bit much). Somewhere cool and green. I've also been watching a fair bit of this French TV show called "Un gars, une fille" (A guy, a girl)...it's basically short little snippets of this married couple's life together which are generally hilarious for various reasons.
I changed my schedule (again). After finding out that I had two intense literature classes requiring me to read fourteen novels this semester (that's one per week, on average) including handouts, and two research papers ON TOP OF my teaching and my other class on linguistics (the class that I actually find MORE interesting)...I couldn't do it. I'm not a literature person; I like reading, but required reading with analyses and in depth discussions on symbolism doesn't interest me. So I dropped one of them and am taking a class on cinema. Granted, it's a lot of work too, but it only has two books and I get to see some cool films. I guess I should get started reading Proust now....
I had forgotten how much I enjoyed dark roasted coffee.
Also, I know people say that coffee makes you more alert, or whatever...but for some reason, caffeine seems to have the opposite effect on me and I end up wanting to take a nap. I'm not sleep deprived...I just want a nap after my three cups of coffee.
Teaching is going well. I'm enjoying it a lot. Their first test comes up on Friday. In a way I feel that it's not really just a test of their knowledge and understanding but also a test of my skills as a teacher and if they have learned anything from me this semester or not. I guess I'll find out this weekend while grading.
I've been watching a lot of random television on the internet. Northern Exposure is actually a cool show and makes me long for random conversations about physics and religion with Micah and Michael. It makes me want to live in a cabin in Washington or Montana (I think Alaska might be a bit much). Somewhere cool and green. I've also been watching a fair bit of this French TV show called "Un gars, une fille" (A guy, a girl)...it's basically short little snippets of this married couple's life together which are generally hilarious for various reasons.
I changed my schedule (again). After finding out that I had two intense literature classes requiring me to read fourteen novels this semester (that's one per week, on average) including handouts, and two research papers ON TOP OF my teaching and my other class on linguistics (the class that I actually find MORE interesting)...I couldn't do it. I'm not a literature person; I like reading, but required reading with analyses and in depth discussions on symbolism doesn't interest me. So I dropped one of them and am taking a class on cinema. Granted, it's a lot of work too, but it only has two books and I get to see some cool films. I guess I should get started reading Proust now....
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