It finally rained yesterday. Any readers in the Midwest (and so it seems based on articles like these about the drought from the Weather Channel, other readers too) will understand the gravity of that statement. It finally rained! We've experienced incredibly hot, dry weather so far this summer and so rain yesterday was a huge deal.
And, as they say, when it rains it pours. That it did. It also brought some much needed relief to some of our smaller plants. And to me.
Now you're saying, "this isn't a blog about the weather..." however rain and relief very much relate to my post on the Unknown last week. It seemed that pressure was mounting on many levels - environmentally and mentally. After the rain yesterday - while nothing in my future is figured out for sure - I actually feel better. I woke up this morning to bright, clear blue skies, crispy cooler air. Life is kind of "pouring" right now, but with the cooler weather, it's literally easier to breathe.
This week, I'm thankful for the opportunities coming my way, and grateful for the relief surrounding my life. I'll take a break next week and be back in August. Until then, wishing you relief in yours.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
Unknown
When the end of a journey is near, various feelings move fluidly day by day and week by week.
My position ends August 31, and I'm moving into the unknown. All I know about Sept. 1 is that I will be starting my final semester of school (ever) on Tuesday, September 4 and will complete my Master of Arts in Higher Education in December. And that's it.
The librarian in me is a planner and organizer. I like to know what's going on, when it's happening, and the extent to which I'm involved (anyone who has seen my calendar can attest to this). But that isn't always realistic and I'm realizing that I can't always be in control. And it's stressing me out.
However, this is a great learning and growing experience for professionalism and life in general. In the past I've been able to control things; I controlled my schedule, the amount of time I put into work and projects, and upcoming life stuff seemed to be in place. Now, my fall and beyond are up in the air and I'm struggling to relax, even though I know that most likely, everything will turn out just fine.
This is a great learning experience because there will be many times in my future where things are out of my control. I won't be able to control my schedule, my work, and life stuff that happens. And I need to still be able to be productive, deal with it, and have a good, positive (and less anxious) attitude.
I've been incredibly lucky in life so far, and this experience (as mere and slight as it is) helps put things into perspective - whatever my situation, I've got it good. The "issues" which I'm experiencing are minor in terms of the world and what others go through every day. So while I don't know where I'll be Sept. 1, I can trust that it will be fine. And I keep telling myself that, and where I will be will probably be better than fine - because it will be a learning experience from which I can grow professionally and personally. So that's my new attitude and I'm sticking to it. :)
My position ends August 31, and I'm moving into the unknown. All I know about Sept. 1 is that I will be starting my final semester of school (ever) on Tuesday, September 4 and will complete my Master of Arts in Higher Education in December. And that's it.
The librarian in me is a planner and organizer. I like to know what's going on, when it's happening, and the extent to which I'm involved (anyone who has seen my calendar can attest to this). But that isn't always realistic and I'm realizing that I can't always be in control. And it's stressing me out.
However, this is a great learning and growing experience for professionalism and life in general. In the past I've been able to control things; I controlled my schedule, the amount of time I put into work and projects, and upcoming life stuff seemed to be in place. Now, my fall and beyond are up in the air and I'm struggling to relax, even though I know that most likely, everything will turn out just fine.
This is a great learning experience because there will be many times in my future where things are out of my control. I won't be able to control my schedule, my work, and life stuff that happens. And I need to still be able to be productive, deal with it, and have a good, positive (and less anxious) attitude.
I've been incredibly lucky in life so far, and this experience (as mere and slight as it is) helps put things into perspective - whatever my situation, I've got it good. The "issues" which I'm experiencing are minor in terms of the world and what others go through every day. So while I don't know where I'll be Sept. 1, I can trust that it will be fine. And I keep telling myself that, and where I will be will probably be better than fine - because it will be a learning experience from which I can grow professionally and personally. So that's my new attitude and I'm sticking to it. :)
Friday, July 6, 2012
Instructional Transition
Back from a break... relaxed and ready for what's next... when I figure that out :)
As for now, since instruction is one of my few duties left at the library this summer, it's something I may write about more often than not.
As I'm sure I've said before, I've learned that instruction is a continual learning process and there is always something new to take away from the experience at any stage. And now I am in a different phase. Because I am transitioning out of my two-year term-limited position in August, there is a gap to fill in what I teach at the library. An incoming second-year School of Information student showed interest in teaching, so she will be helping to instruct some of the Word for Dissertation workshops that I taught over the past 12 or so months.
This puts me in a different position; having been in the same situation as she just over a year ago, I am now observing her and providing advice and encouragement before her first workshop next week. This experience reminds me about the importance of observation (as noted in previous posts) and the need for constant reflection.
I learned a lot from observing my new co-instructor's teaching style. Having never instructed the class, I was struck by her calmness, her straight-forwardness, and her no-frills approach to teaching dissertation formatting. Her style made me consider something new: formatting dissertations really is a no-frills thing. It is an important, yet not fun part of the dissertation process; why try to make it more than it is? Of course there is an argument for trying to make it fun too, but seeing this teaching style was a good reminder that there are indeed many approaches to instruction.
As for now, since instruction is one of my few duties left at the library this summer, it's something I may write about more often than not.
As I'm sure I've said before, I've learned that instruction is a continual learning process and there is always something new to take away from the experience at any stage. And now I am in a different phase. Because I am transitioning out of my two-year term-limited position in August, there is a gap to fill in what I teach at the library. An incoming second-year School of Information student showed interest in teaching, so she will be helping to instruct some of the Word for Dissertation workshops that I taught over the past 12 or so months.
This puts me in a different position; having been in the same situation as she just over a year ago, I am now observing her and providing advice and encouragement before her first workshop next week. This experience reminds me about the importance of observation (as noted in previous posts) and the need for constant reflection.
I learned a lot from observing my new co-instructor's teaching style. Having never instructed the class, I was struck by her calmness, her straight-forwardness, and her no-frills approach to teaching dissertation formatting. Her style made me consider something new: formatting dissertations really is a no-frills thing. It is an important, yet not fun part of the dissertation process; why try to make it more than it is? Of course there is an argument for trying to make it fun too, but seeing this teaching style was a good reminder that there are indeed many approaches to instruction.
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