This afternoon again finds me in my favorite spot – a chair in a library window, overlooking the diag. However, today, unlike the other afternoon, it’s sunny & everyone seems to have a spring in their step. Happily, I’m here late afternoon which means I’m taking a break at the same time as the harmonia-playing research scientist. Not only do I love to people watch as everyone walks beneath, but watching the reactions to Mr. Goss is wonderful. Some stare, some ignore him, a few pass by & then glace back & even fewer stop to talk.
Combined with the sun, it’s a lovely afternoon.
Yesterday was my first long day. Quite long. Yet, despite the fact that 9 hours of class on Mondays is a bit overwhelming, it’s nice that I only have class twice a week. The other days are freed up for work, meetings, appointments & homework, which is nice since it means I get to be on campus more often [something I enjoy].
This semester is going to be a very interesting one – most of my courses deal with topics that are outside of my range of experience & comfort:
– First thing yesterday morning I attended my computer programing course. In 14 weeks we’ll learn the Python programming language & learn to write/debug/execute various programs.
– Next was my ICT4D [Information & Communication Technologies for Development] class. I’m incredibly excited about this class, but also nervous because I have very little experience in economics or structural development. However, the readings have been exciting & the class had an interesting & engaging conversation.
– Last night was my Management of Libraries and Nonprofit Information Organizations class. Again, I know nothing about management/human resources/organizational leadership, so I’m sure to learn a lot. I’m especially looking forward to the emphasis on nonprofit organizations, since it’s very likely I will work in one [or a few] over the course of my lifetime & I’d like to offer as many skills as possible.
– On Thursdays I have my computer programming discussion section, as well as appraisal of archives. This course is taught by the same professor as my introduction to archives class & it promises to be informative, interesting & worthwhile.
These classes will be challenging, but I think they’ll teach me many new concepts, ideas & ways of thinking. I welcome the challenge.
This Friday is the SI Alternative Spring Break Recipe Book Pot Luck Event [quite the event name!]. To raise money, we’re selling cookbooks of recipes submitted from SI-related persons, then having a pot luck where everyone brings the dish [of the recipe they submitted]. People are welcome to come without submitting a recipe/bringing a dish, it just costs a bit more. I’m making some very simple cinnamon/sugar walnuts, but they’re so delicious I’m happy to have an excuse to make them.
I’m also making some good progress on my ’50 books in 2010′ project. Having this goal has made me much more intentional about setting aside time to read. Plus, the sooner I finish a book ,the sooner I can update the Twitter I’ve made to document my progress.
Now I’m off to met with my GROCS team. We’re going to finalize our project idea tonight, delegate some tasks & get started. This Friday we have our first all-GROCS meeting in the very cool Design Lab 1 on north campus.
Cheers!
