Is it over yet?

Is this semester over yet? If not, it should be. Either that or it should be time for the new Harry Potter movie. I have been overwhelmed this semester and that is putting it mildly. I have two papers, no make that three, to write this weekend as well as a practice grant for funding. Can someone give me more hours in the day? Not to mention that damn daylight savings time is going to give me an hour less!

I have a second semester review tomorrow. I'm not quite sure what the point of this is and why I have to have one. Apparently I'm also the only second semester PhD. Ugh! Hopefully they won't tell me I suck.

I also have my core exam coming up. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, let me explain. All the PhD Fine Arts students, regardless of department, have to take 5 core classes. For me it was music, philosophy (double ugh!), and art, well, until I transferred to the School of Art, then it changed to theatre. I got my theatre requirement waived, because I had so many theatre courses before I transferred there was no point in my taking those core classes. I had to petition for that and get a lot of people to sign off on it, but that meant the music class I took summer II was my last core class so I could schedule my core exam for this fall. We pick a committee of 4 faculty members - 1 each from art, music, theatre, and philosophy - and choose one of those to write our question. The question then goes through the committee to get approved and you get it two weeks before your exam. You then have to prepare a 20 minute presentation answering the question and defend it in front of the committee. Oh, and did I mention the associate dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts who is also the head of the FADP program is the moderator? Needless to say this is an anxiety inducing prospect. I have been to a few of these to try to prepare myself, but it's different when you are the one on the hotseat. My exam is scheduled for November 19 and I am starting to worry now. I should get my question on November 5 and then that will be all I can concentrate on for two weeks. Who cares that I have other homework and that life won't stop for two weeks so I can get ready for this? All I can say is that I will be glad when it's over and there will be alcohol after no matter the outcome.

On the plus side, I had a very productive meeting with Dr. Hoffman in the museum studies department. I'll be taking my first museum class in the spring and am looking forward to it. It will be a nice change. I'm finishing my arts administration classes this fall - funding is my last class. It will be strange not to see Dr. D. twice a week for class. One more art history class for leveling to go in the spring and then I just need to finish my requirements for art. Maybe I might actually get out of here some day!

Happy Halloween everyone! Don't eat too much candy and stay away from the zombies. :)

Back to School

After a summer of travel, both internationally and domestically, I am back at work being a full-time student. To say that I did not want to begin a new semester is an understatement. Not because I don't want to finish my degree - I do - but because I wasn't quite ready to get back to the school routine. You know - reading, reading, and more reading. And this semester there will be writing, lots and lots of writing. I also have a new assignment this semester, working in the computer lab, which will be some kind of adventure I am sure. We'll see how that goes.

I road-tripped from Texas to Tampa, Florida with the youngest daughter. She began her new adventure as a full-time grad student at the University of South Florida on August 23rd. Hence, the need for the road-trip. We had to get her car full of stuff to Tampa and unloaded into her new place - a furnished apartment on the third floor mind you - so she would be ready for school. I got back "home" to Lubbock on the 22nd and started meetings for the fall semester the next day. School started on Thursday the 26th - 2 classes on Tuesday/Thursday, one on Monday/Wednesday, TA a MWF class, and one on-line class. It will be a busy, busy semester!

On the plus side, my roomie and I have been catching up on "True Blood." As soon as we get done with that I'm on to "Dexter." The first football game of the season is September 5 and I'm psyched for that. I bought season tickets this year since they offered a deal for students. Basketball season starts in November so football will have to suffice until then. And yes, I know a "serious" doc student should not waste time on such pursuits, but hey, we all need to blow off some steam and take a break once in a while. :)

I'll try to be a better chronicler this year of this journey through the PhD process. I finally feel like I am at the place I need to be and focused on the areas I am truly passionate about. Being in Europe this summer awakened an interest in museum studies, which I am going to pair with arts administration. It's a logical pairing and I don't know why I didn't think of it before. I'll be doing some research on internships, since that is what I want to focus my dissertation process on. I think I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel - I should be able to take my core exam this year, hopefully this semester - and complete my course work by next fall if I'm lucky. After that, it will be on to an internship and dissertation writing. I may actually be a doctor some day - woo hoo!

Rain, rain go away!

I have been in Tampa, Florida since Thursday afternoon. It has been cloudy and rainy ever since. I'm leaving this afternoon without ever seeing the highly touted Florida sunshine, and apparently it is raining at home too. What kind of weather is this for fireworks?!

So, I'll just have to come back to Tampa another time, after Meg gets moved here for school, and experience some sunshine. On the plus side Meg got everything accomplished on the USF campus that she needed to and discovered that the Bulls are in the Big East conference. We did get a chance to go to downtown Tampa yesterday, in between rain showers, and see a bit of the riverwalk. There are a lot of new museums getting ready to open in the fall - a childrens museum and an art museum. Lots of construction downtown as well, which bodes well for the future. I can't wait to come back and go to the art museum when it opens.

Will also be going over to St. Petersburg next time. Not having a car was a problem because it limited our mobility. We rode the bus downtown and back yesterday, but Meg is opposed to public transportation because it "creeps her out." Having just come back from Europe, where I rode a lot of trams and metros, I'm a little more sanguine about the whole public transportation situation. I still have callouses on my palms from gripping the rails on the trams in Prague. Those drivers are intense, let me tell you!

Got to have a long talk with my playwright friend who has relocated to St. Pete yesterday. She has a show going up Tuesday. Wish I could stick around to see it. However, she has another show going up this winter and I hope to get here to see that. At least when I come back I'll have someone to stay with now. :)

I hope everyone has a great firecracker day in spite of the weather where you are. Spare a thought or two for our soldiers and veterans, and try to remember to be grateful for the fact that we live in a country where we are free to disagree and not get killed or tortured for our views. Be careful with the fireworks, enjoy a hotdog or two, and ooh and aah when you see the fireworks displays.

Adventures in Prague

I wish you all were here with me to see and experience this beautiful city. Getting up and going out to wonder around is like being in a living art history book. The architecture ranges from Gothic to modern and everywhere you look there is another gorgeous building. I am really going to miss these buildings when I get home.

I've been to museums, theatre, the opera, and the symphony with a few more events still on tap for the remainder of my time here. We got to experience the Prague Fringe Festival when we got here - that was an intriguing combination of good, bad, self-indulgent, and WTF pieces.

We watched the first US futbol match versus England on the the big screen in Old Town Square with thousands of others (lots of obnoxious Brits). Even though I don't really follow or understand the game it was exciting to experience World Cup fever with all of those other people from all over the world. I'll never watch a futbol game again without thinking of that.

I took myself to the Estates Theatre where Mozart premiered his opera "Don Giovanni" when he lived in Prague. Milos Forman filmed "Amadeus" in Prague and this theatre was one of the settings he used. The exterior was breathtaking but the interior is even more so. I wish I could have taken photos but the queen of the mean ushers was on my side of the theatre so I didn't dare take my camera out, although other people did. My seat was 4th row, on the floor, third seat from the aisle. I had an amazing view of the stage and watched Moliere's "Don Juan" in Czech. After being here and learning about the history of the Czech Republic I understand why Moliere appeals to the people. Even though I don't know the language I didn't need to for this show. Moliere is Moliere no matter what language, just like Shakespeare. Some theatre in the city is doing "King Lear" because I keep seeing the posters. I would love to see that before I leave here.

I did get to take photos of the interiors of the Rudolfinum and the State Opera House when we went to the Philharmonic concert (Offenbach was the program) and to see "Carmen." The interiors of those buildings are beautiful as well even though my photos probably don't do them justice. I still have to pinch myself that I'm really here and seeing and experiencing all of these wonderful things.

I never thought I would get the opportunity to study abroad, which I always wanted to do, but I am so glad that I decided to come on this trip. If I had missed it I would have been kicking myself for a long time. There won't be a Prague trip next summer - the prof is taking a summer off - so I would have missed out. Now I'm trying to figure out how I can get another trip to Europe next summer - LOL.

The End in Sight!

I am finally at the last official day, for me, of the spring semester. Once I go to class this evening and turn in my paper and project I will be free of school related things until Prague later this month. Big sigh of relief!

This semester has had highs and lows, some weeks it seemed like the lows were going to win out. After having spent a semester in the art department I have to say that I am extremely happy to have made the change. I finally feel like I fit somewhere in the Fine Arts Doctoral program - yay! I still hang out with my theatre friends and we still have classes together. I did have a short play produced in RROAPS this year and dramaturged the best production of the season, Rabbit Hole, so I haven't totally gone to the "dark side," at least not yet - LOL.

I get to go to Prague for a class in Summer I and I am beyond excited. I have never been out of the country before, so this is a big deal for me. I'm leaving Chicago on May 26 and on May 27 I will be in Prague until June 27 - woo hoo! Europe here I come so someone had better watch out - ha!

I don't have to come back to Lubbock until July 6 to start Summer II classes on July 7 and I just found out I have a job for the second summer session - go me. I got a scholarship for next year and probably an assistantship as well, so that's good news. Now, if only the financial aid office would get it together so I know for sure I'll be able to go to school this summer and next year I would be happier. That will be one of my errands tomorrow - trek to West Hall and up to the third floor to hopefully talk to someone who can actually answer my questions. That in itself is always an adventure.

I am going to try and keep up with my blog more often while I am in Prague. I will definitely be taking lots of photos and uploading them daily I imagine. For those of you who have actually been paying attention to this blog, thank you. I plan on giving you updates on a more regular basis. Who knows - I may decide to quit school and stay in Europe. Stranger things have happened!

Is 12 Hours Too Much?

I'm questioning the wisdom of taking 12 hours this semester as opposed to 9. Perhaps I was delusional when I asked the law professor if I could get into the Art & Museum law class. What do I know about law? Not much. Getting a good enough score on the LSAT to get into Washburn Law School doesn't count for much. Luckily I'm friends with a lawyer who I can call and bug with my random questions.
My philosophy class is a new experience for me. Somehow I managed to get through two undergrad degrees without having to take a philosophy course. Of course, Aristotle and I are close, and I did read some other philosophers last spring in theatre history, but I'm not on a first name basis with them. I have to write three papers for this class. Having never written a philosophy paper before I approach this task with some trepidation. The prof assures me that it won't be as traumatic as I think it will. We'll see.
Loving the film and lit class, even if it is an evening class once a week. We're discussing Latina/Latino cinema this semester. I'm excited to explore this area of film. Have to write in this class too, but we get to do a project which has the potential to be great fun. I may become a filmmaker after this semester - watch out Hollywood - LOL!
Advocacy has been interesting as well. I am getting tired of writing a response paper twice a week though. Yes, there's a theme this semester - writing - and lots of it! My hand may never be the same. If I make it through this semester without a breakdown I'm having a drink or two or three. :)
And, I'm TAing in an arts appreciation class and working in the VRC (visual resource center) in the School of Art. Getting to know people there and learning the ropes. I feel very comfortable and welcomed. Such a nice change from the past two semesters. I'm still dramaturging for "Rabbit Hole" as well, so I'm keeping my hand in the theatre pot. Thankful for the one and a half snow days we had last week. It was nice to spend a bit of time goofing off - won't be much of that going on for a while!