Back in My Element

You know, I've really been dreading this week. So far, this week has not been kind to me. Monday, I found out that I have a group project due in two weeks. Bottom line, I have no time to do it. Then, I failed a midterm. I was pretty pissed about that. And then, on top of ALL of that, my assistantship is forcing me to sacrifice a lot of hours this week to work on a program that we call "Haunted Halls."

This is where we are taking one of the community areas in our residence halls, and converting it to a haunted house. I wasn't too happy about this, because primarily, I see myself as a student first, and then a grad assistant second. Academics come first in my life, or at least I try to.

So anyway, long story short, we started doing set-up tonight for this event. It was like undergrad all over again. We were working with wood. Hammering, measuring, making sure edges are flush. I felt like I was back in the scene shop making a set for a show. And in a sense, I was.

For the first time in a long time, I was calling shots. I was making decisions. I was telling people what to do. Damn, that felt good. I have always enjoyed getting down, working with some lumber and building something. Even if it looks like shit.

So today, we put up three flats, and we will return tomorrow to continue building. My hands feel a little rough, and they smell like pine wood. My jeans are dirty from crawling around on the floor, and my hands and wrists are sore from having to use nails and hammers. Damn, I miss this.

This Just Dosen't Seem Right...

Today's weather here in the area certainly brought back memories of undergrad. Today's weather took a turn for the chilly side. I happened to look at one of the huge digital thermometers at the Ted, where it was a very cool 59 degrees out today. Plus the skies were gray and it got a little rainy today.

It was very poignant to me today as the skin on my cheeks kissed the brisk, cool wind. The first thought through my head, was, "Damn! I need a jacket!" And then it suddenly occurred to me. Something is not right. The cool weather was something that I welcomed, and something that I longed to see (or feel rather). I love it when the cool weather begins to set in. But as I said earlier, something just wasn't right. I felt a touch out of place. I felt like I needed to be in Asheville again.

I have several memories, fond memories of walking from class, and seeing that golden sun pour from the open sky, drenching the crimson and golden maple leaves on the quad. I would just walk, and breathe in the cool air, and bask in the glory of the sun. It was amazing.

Then there are times, where it would be around 7. I would be walking across campus to the theatre for rehearsal for the upcoming show. There would hardly be anyone on the quad, because not many people stayed on on the quad when it cooled off. (Spring is a different story though). Again, the sun would be setting, bleeding through those crimson and golden leaves, and casting Ramsey Library in perfect and warm golden-yellow light. I would be bundled up in a sweater and most likely a scarf. Keeping to myself, I would walk, looking down mostly at the fallen leaves. The leave were so abundant that sometimes, you couldn't even see the grass. And sometimes, you could come across one of those really dry leaves. These were leaves I loved to step on, just so I could hear the crunch. This was a sign to me that fall was here, and winter was coming.

Maybe it's because I'm a fan of colder weather. Maybe it's because there's a part of me that longs to be back in Asheville. Maybe its a little of both. Needless to say, I had a bit of a flash back today about something I miss at the good ole days at UNCA. Being a little heartsick, I went on with the rest of the chilly day, knowing that someday, somehow, I'll be back.

One day.

Just What I Needed

Being a grad student can become very taxing on your life. Just take my word for it. However, I am approaching the end of a pleasant fall break, which is just what I needed! Since Friday, I have done nothing but lounge around my apartment, watched TV, and watched a few movies. That's it. No school work. Just relaxation. *Sigh* I just hate to see it end.

In other news, contractors came in and actually hooked up the stove in my apartment, so I can actually start cooking for myself, which I have and it has been a JOY to do so. Some furniture for my spare room was also brought in, so I was able to clean some mess up and actually make the room functional. So now, I have set up my desktop and have turned the spare room into a den/study space. So no more homework from the kitchen table.

So tomorrow, its back to the regular routine. And I guess its just something that I'll have to get through. Thanksgiving break comes in November, and then a week and a half will take us to Winter break. Damn. This semester sure has gone by fast.

Life Goes On

Despite an interesting weekend and a rough start of the week, this week is beginning to ease its way into the weekend. And as an added bonus, its the start of fall break.

Things have been interesting needless to say, what with incidents, school work, I can honestly say there is never a dull moment in this field.

So there's not really much to say here, other than things are going well. School is a pain in the ass, and I don't think it'll ever stop being that way.

Just another year and a half. That's all.

With a New Building Comes New Woes

The past three days have been a hell of a three days. Being a Grad Assistant, I was able to move into my apartment early (which is very nice by the way) but I was not able to settle until today.

These past three days have consisted of a noreaster, 5 AM mornings and 1 AM nights, and a laundry list of problems that every new building has. The minor stuff, you know. And all on top of that- me being in charge of the entire building because my boss is actually out of town bringing his stuff down from his home state.

With most, if not all of our residents out of the hotel, we can actually adjust to the swing of things. We're on campus. But with that, comes a greater challenge. These first years have become spoiled. Spoiled by the "magic" of turndown service, and weelky room cleanings. At the hotel, you could simply place your trash outside your room, and the folling morning, poof! Its gone! They will soon find that this is not the case now that they are in their residence hall. Already, students have placed their empty moving boxes out into the hallway thinking they will magically disappear overnight. Such was the case on our third floor, that if a Fire Marshal had been in the building, he would've had a hay day writing us citations. You could not see the floor for so much cardboard.

However, added to this, come benefits. As I said, we're now on campus. Our students no longer have to worry about catching the bus, waking up extra early for classes, and every pain-in-the-ass problem you could ever think of. On a personal note, my apartment is pretty sweet. This is my first "official" space since the residence hall room, which by my standards is a HUGE upgrade. I thought I had so much stuff, but since I moved into the new apartment, my perspective of "stuff" has changed.

All that remains for us here in our new building is to become nestled, and once again, find our niche. *Sigh* It's good to be home.

A Welcomed Week of Worrying...

Ok, so I know that my past few entries have been about thoughts and observations about happenings in class. This blog won't be about that, I promise. Ok, not quite. This will still pertain to student life, but more specifically, mine.

As you may know, I am currently living out of a hotel. I have been for the past month and 5 days. (Who's counting now?) The reason I am living out of a hotel is because I, a Residence Hall Director, and 286 eager first-year students are awaiting the day our residence hall reaches a status of completion. That day is tomorrow. Well, for staff anyway. Tomorrow, the entire staff of my building will begin moving and making the transition into our new building. As exciting as this is, it also presents a great deal of stress and worrying.

There are still a few kinks to work out of the building. And I'm sure, because the building is new, these kinks will continue to be worked out. My assistantship is actually beginning to kick in. These past few weeks, I've had to hire a staff of 8 Desk Receptionists, train them, and schedule them to work. While most of this has been smooth, it has happened at break neck speed.

In a positive light, I was able to enter the building today and see my actual living space near its completion. Furniture has yet to be installed, but hey, at least I have a fridge. Yeah, I think that's all they've installed at this point. In addition to this, I got to take a look at my office. (I have an office?) This is a pretty sweet deal, I won't lie.

So, you may be sitting there in your seat, thinking, "Mark, you've got it made! You've got a brand new apartment, building, office...everything!" Right you are, but you also need to think about the transition into our new building. That's where the worrying kicks in. We're not doing this all in one day. No. That would be hell. We are stretching this over the span of the week. So, by Saturday, theoretically, we will be entirely out of the hotel. It doesn't sound like much, but we have a lot to focus on, and a lot of chances to drop the ball. I don't want to be the one who drops the ball. Although, I do have the innate fear that it will be me who drops it. I always sucked at dodge ball.

So, we'll see how this week pans out. As a student, I'm on top of things. Homework is pretty much taken care of at this point. My greatest concern is getting into my new building. I move my stuff in Tuesday, but I will not be able to settle until Saturday, when everyone is moved in. That sucks. All I want, is to get back in the swing of things.

Here's to worrying.

The Cost of Education

There's an old saying out there that goes something like this: "If you think education is expensive, consider the cost of ignorance."

While I think this is a witty and poignant quote, it was revealed to me today just exactly what may be the cost of education. Beside of all the student loans, books, homework, and time spent working on education, I believe I've found something that's a little less tangible when it comes to the cost of education- reputation.

In my classes this week, the topic is university leadership; specifically, the university president. Our professor handed out a rather interesting article that just points to how much a reputation can cost. Featured in a 2005 issue of The Chronicle for Higher Education, I read how former president of Harvard University, Lawrence H. Summers made a somewhat generalized comment about women in the field of mathematics and science at a scholarly meeting. He suggested that this situation may be the cause of innate differences of ability from men. Upon hearing this, some women of the conference walked out.

Here, we have the president of a prestigious (not to mention, America's first) institution who makes a shrewd comment at a scholarly meeting. Later in 2006, because of this comment, President Summers steps down as president of Harvard University.

So, what does this mean? What does this imply? Because he is the head of a highly acclaimed university, does it mean that the rest of the University thinks the same? I think one can certainly take it that way. I'm certain in the fact that what took years of a reputation to build up, in approximately 3 seconds, Dr. Summers destroyed. Easy as that.

Opinions mean everything. The thing is, everybody has one. However, the difference between a person and an educated person is that the educated person can back up what they say with tangible proof. If you can support your reasoning with solid and valid research it's good.

Watch what you say, and what you do say, be able to back it up. It could cost you everything.