I think this will be more of an update-style for my family (and friends? Does anyone read this? Buehler?)
Classes started up again two weeks ago, and I'm committed financially, so I guess I'd better start studying, huh? Haha, I'm taking a class on Race & Ethnicity in the U.S. and the other is an introductory sociology course. First impressions: Race & Ethnicity--it's a lot of reading of articles, which I think will be much more interesting than reading a textbook, so hooray for that. Work outside of reading appears to be minimal--no real papers, no real tests (which makes me question if this is a real class...) Eh, well, it may not be the most academically rigorous, but I intend to get as much as I can out of the content--the reading & class discussion--and ignore the fact that there isn't more other 'work'. A bonus with the class is I volunteered to be a notetaker for a classmate with a disability. Assuming the classmate doesn't drop the class before it's halfway done, the college will give me a $75 gift card to the bookstore at the end of the semester. Not bad for doing the same stuff (showing up & taking notes) I would have done anyways!
The sociology intro class, well, that's going to be academically rigorous, all right. There will be 4-5 writing assignments, plus a research project which hasn't been detailed too much. Lots of reading, four exams, etc. It's a bit intimidating, but I'm trying to trust it will all be okay. My TA is awesome, anyways. She's smart, sassy, and a self-confessed cat lady. What's not to like?
But yeah, the readings for both classes so far have been amazing. SO interesting. I love this stuff! I'm heading to Half-Price Books today to buy an overambitious stack of books that I likely won't have time to read anytime soon. Ah, but hope! I'm finding myself most intrigued with issues of inequality in the field of sociology--gender, race, class, age. I've been debating about whether grad school is in my future. Well, I think it is, but I guess which track. Almost a year ago I started thinking about a Master's in Social Work. After taking these awesome classes in sociology (last semester and this), I'm wondering if I should shift to a Master's/PhD in Sociology instead. I worry about putting a tremendous amount of time & effort (and money?!) into something and then halfway through, or at the end, thinking: er, maybe this wasn't the thing after all. I'm not even sure a lot of soul-searching will bring me to a definitive answer. Either route would be a long journey that would require continual re-commitment to the goal. There'd surely be moments of doubt when I'd have to just trust that it'll work out, but well, isn't that the point of doubt--you're lacking faith? Eh, I struggle with this kind of stuff...
Anyways. I ordered a new-new sofa today. The old-new sofa I ordered back in December was not-delivered a week or so ago (after being on backorder for a month, argh!). The arrangement of walls and corners leading to my apartment would have required the sofa to be tipped vertically, and wouldn't you know, I ordered a sofa that was 95" long, and that's exactly how tall the ceilings are in the hallway. The delivery guys took a quick look & a measurement and didn't even attempt it. Dammit. So I dragged Chris along on the sofa hunt, part two, but he was just a delight to have along--easy going as a puppy! (It was almost annoying, because I just wanted to get it done, dammit, and he was just so cheery!) I knew from the first trip that there wasn't much I liked in my price range. The 95" behemoth was the only real option given my constraints. So I dreaded having to choose a new-new sofa that was either not what I wanted in terms of style/comfort, or not what I wanted in terms of price. In the end, I expanded my desires in both areas: I'm getting a faux leather sofa(?!) I never would have expected that! It's really quite lovely to look at (hopefully George will agree...), and Goldilocks in terms of firm-plush. It's a mere 78" long ;) and priced about $100 more than I wanted to spend, but whatever. Done. Also: it was in stock, and will be here Wednesday. About time!
Lastly, Chris and I went to the Galleries at the Overture Center. There was a handmade book exhibit I wanted to see--ohh, it was so amazing!!! Equal parts inspiring (I want to do that!) and intimidating (I could never do that!) Sigh. Taking a class in bookbinding is something I've wanted to do for years. It's happening, this spring. There's an 8-week class through the UW extension, but also a one-day class that I think I might take instead. Eight weeks is a lot of commitment to squeeze into everything else!
And now, Half-Price Books is calling...
You have a Half Price gift card
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