After a whirlwind summer, it's time to buckle down and hit the books once more. I have to say that my proudest accomplishment of the summer was passing the two classes that certify me as "language proficient" in German. What that means is that if I would need a German text for research material, I could be counted upon to translate, understand, and use it accurately. One more thing off of the degree checklist!!!
So now it's fall again. And fall is my ABSOLUTE favorite time of year. I love the way that the leaves on the trees turn into a veritable rainbow of prettiness. I love the cooling weather and the opportunity to wear some super-cute sweaters and fall shoes. But most of all, I love school supplies. :)
This fall I'm taking an interesting combo of classes. First, one on how librarians decide which books to purchase and which to discard. Second, one on how to help people researching topics in the humanities (history, philosophy, literature, music, art, languages, etc.). Third, a history class on sacred places. No, not sacred as in religious. Sacred as in remembered and venerated by people (or not, as the case may be). An example would be a site of catastrophe, like Auschwitz. The class is all about how we define, use, and understand these places. It should be very interesting indeed.
Now that I'm in my second year of grad school, I'm learning the importance of balancing fun and work. I spent Friday night taking a historical walking tour of the oldest section of campus. Then one of my friends and I sat in a restaurant and talked about anything and everything until it closed. That was the most fun I've had in a while. I need to do more things like that - and like catching up on my blogging. So as much as I can wrap up the whole summer and start writing about the fall in one shot, here it is. Happy fall semester everyone!
