giving new meaning to "hitting the books"

Why can't I get the SpiderMan song out of my head? Why? Why? Wait, I'm going to put on some music and try to make it go away-ok, thank you Beach Boys (Caroline No- did you know that there's a Beach Boys cover album called Caroline Now? I did). Now that that's taken care of, all I really have to say is that in the past week I have seriously considered just hitting my head against a desk many times. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it's that time. In TWO WEEKS MY EXAMS WILL BE OVER!!!!!! OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I alternate between completely losing it and thinking that I know enough. The build-up is what's hard, the taking of the exams themselves isn't supposed to be that bad. Then there's the MA essay, but the professor I'm working with here seems to like it and hasn't said anything to the effect of "Gina, this sucks" or "Gina, do you realize that your conclusion makes no sense and that the end of this paper basically falls apart?" So that's really good. Keep in mind that I wrote this original essay during the crazy week of paper writing that was the end of Fall term- three papers, 45 pages, one week. This one was last. Whoopsie. But it's all good now! Now! Now! THEN IT WILL BE OVER! I WILL BE A MASTER!!!!!!! of something. Maybe cupcakes. Please don't ask what I'm doing after I finish school- I have no job, no idea where I'm going, etc etc. I do have a bridesmaid dress for a wedding in September that looks like something I would've worn when I was 18, so there's that (I'm not saying it's bad, I'm just saying I would've picked it out at an earlier age). If you have a job that you'd like to give to me, please let me know. Also, if you are going to be in the Eugene area on May 10th or 11th, get in touch with me for details on the exam-finishing celebration (I'm done on the 9th, but my wonder twin Emily doesn't finish until the next day. I'll just have to celebrate twice- and no, they won't let us take the exams together as one brain, sadly). Or If you're going to be here June 11th and want to come to graduation.

This is it guys. Am I scared? Shitless. Will I finish it all? Yes. How? lots of coffee and books and hopefully not as much crying as there was this weekend. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO- here we go.

The Roaming Gnome, Denouncer of MA Exam myths

So that whole posting yesterday thing? Didn't really happen. I was overtaken by work, and nearly eaten alive by French 203 exams. Seriously, mes amis, I thought they were going to get me, with that passive voice and all.

Hmm, this weekend. Was wonderful? Friday Margaret and I stuffed ourselves with food (candy? of course we need candy! Gelatto? That too!) and watched How to Marry a Millionaire (lent to me by a student), which is hilarious, and which all of you should see. Saturday, Saturday, Saturday- studystudystudy date with Emily and Charlie (says Charlie "I like that you came over to hang out and we all read quietly for 2 hours. We're such geeks"), more reading, fun night of cocktails and such (me to Margaret- "oh no, we're wearing practically the same outfit. This is just great."). If you put a melon ball in vodka, the vodka will replace all the water, and thus eating the melon ball will become the same as taking a shot. (that's all the science you'll ever hear from me, and it wasn't a lot or necessarily scientific). Sunday, still going (really? still going? on Sunday?)- correcting, correcting, fondue party!, correcting. Yes, fondue party. Am I a French student or am I a French student? Wow, yum, yes. Good people, good fun, good music. Why weren't all of you there?

So far this week- workworkwork. We're teaching art and pronouns in class for the next two weeks-ish (what a lovely combination). I'm throwing in some music things (Impressionism! Ravel! Debussy!) and hopefully, finally, a class field trip, all the way to the art museum (which is 5 whole minutes from the classroom). I didn't sleep enough last night, and had lots of coffee this morning, which resulted in a completely spazzed-out Gina and a morning that involved balancing yet another book on my head, ending a conversation by literally running into a building (not like smack! but rather into the door- and I didn't mean to end it this way- it was caused by the caffeine I tell you, the caffeine), almost jumping up and down in front of my class, and the phrases "C'est le Amazing Race, et non pas le Amazing Classe de Francais!" (yeah, today's "Roadblock" in Gina and Eliana run the Amazing Race was, in fact, the activity that the class was about to do- talk about a tie-in!)

Emily and I are both starting to freak out about exams. Wecandoitwecandoitwecandoit... I know that we'll both be ok, since we've been working for a while, but it's still scary and something that's looming ahead in the near future. You'll watch me spaz out more and more as we get nearer to that time, I guarantee. Met with the professor who's going to be my MA Essay Director here, and he really likes what I've written. So.that.is.good.and.made.me.feel.a.lot.better.
Ooooooooh- so little time left. So little time. Can I have a hug?

Speaking of exam stress and books, Lauren and Emilee did a photo essay of their sem books, in honor of me. I laughed tres hard when I saw this, mes amis. It's hilarious,with a capital Q. I'll try and get some of the pictures on here tomorrow, because you all need to see them. I can just tell you that it involves pyramids bigger than mine, and even more books on heads. I take this as a challenge to create bigger and better art next time.

But until next time, I better get some sleep. Otherwise we could have a repeat of this morning, and that's not good for business (that's not going to be good for anyone).

Life, what life?

I promise a real, full-length post tomorrow. But Gina, you ask in unison, why haven't you posted since last Wednesday? You have no life- usually you post a lot around the weekends! A-ha, that is where I trick you, loyal 2 or 3 readers- this weekend I had a life! And it was exciting. And mass quantities of food were consumed, including fondue. And cocktails were ordered, and duly consumed (one of which involved melon-balls that were closet alcoholics). But all of that, mes amis, will have to wait until tomorrow, because I am tired and need to sleep before this week of work and meetings. Exams are three weeks from tomorrow!

I usually hate doing les "shout-outs" on this, as sometimes it makes me feel mundane (April can do them really well, in her typical classy manner, but mine just feel clunky), but there are some times when you have to. Congratulations to my Lauren (one of my two splendid little sisters from la Delta Psi) and my Emilee, on finishing their senior sem papers back at the old home fort of Ripon. It's a huge haul to get those things out, so they deserve hugs and/or cupcakes. Lauren's probably going to get another pseudo-shout-out when she does her recital next week, so I'll hold more of the glory until then. Emilee also somehow managed to get through one-acts and German theatre this weekend, meaning that she always takes on tons of work, meaning that she's a German major after my own heart. So, love to both, and when are you coming to visit?

Tomorrow morning- the MA exams official studying begins. Tomorrow's topic- Lyric Poetry of the Middle Ages (meaning les troubadours, les trouveres, les trobairitz, etc- kudos to anyone who can tell me the difference without googling it).

Muffins and more exams

It is Wednesday night! I don't have class tomorrow! (well, ok, no real class, but I'm meeting with a student, cause I'm nice like that, and readingreadingreading, as I tend to do.)

Some things (which I will forget otherwise, and am thus putting in nicely bulleted form)

• I scheduled my exams today! Mark your calenders, I know I'm marking mine- May 9th and 10th from 9am to 1pm. After meeting with my most-wonderful advisor I decided to just do them the earliest possible and get them done. This is in a tiny bit less than a month. I will be ready!
• My advisor also told me that I've come a long way since I started grad school. This made me happy.
• The photocopier-related celebratory day referenced many posts ago was, in fact, West Hall Photocopier Appreciation Day. I have pictures to prove it and everything. Josh and I thought this was a really good idea, thought up while we were tired. Then Josh made it a reality. It was fun. At least, for us. It was funny for other people. The English department thought we were crazy. But you know, that may have come before our decorating of the copy room with streamers and signs and garlands.
• Last night I made gingerbread muffins with lemon glaze. After they were done I realized that I had tons of food and had to eat it all myself, since there is no one else here. I cried. Then I took some to school and gave them to my friends and felt better. They're really good muffins though.
• I'm almost done with the new reading on my reading list! I'll have some re-reading (meaning skimming) to do, but nothing that's a problem. This is exciting.
• Gina to Eliana about our weekends: "You met a cute guy and I made a casserole? How is this fair?"
• "Can I cash in some of my karma now, please?"
• Our new t-shirts- "PhD is not for me"
• When you tell your teacher that you're sick and then run into her RIGHT AFTER CLASS she's not going to believe you anymore.

That is all.

Ta freaking Da

And now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, mes amis, Quel est ton probleme presents- "MA exams, a photo essay- or Too much reading makes Gina take pictures." These lovely pictures of my "sculptures" consist entirely of books that I'm supposed to be reading and were constructed and photographed entirely on time when I was supposed to be reading them. (Don't worry, I got tons of reading done today, which is why my brain sort of exploded and this happened.) Not everyone understands this art. Emily walked in and couldn't understand what I was doing, or why I was doing it instead of reading. Pony-on-the-Finger (as you'll see), was jealous and wanted to get in on the action. My idea for the ultimate "Who can balance more reading-list books on their head" contest was shot down. There's still time people, there's still time! Wait, is it week 3? With an essay to finish and exams coming up, you can all look forward to more of this. Woo freaking hoo. But I am not, I repeat not, listening to ABBA now.

The first edition of "MA exams, a photo essay." Also, the only sideways picture this time. A good shot of the titles though. Extra credit for anyone who can ID any photos/posters in the background of any of these photos. 

First pyramid attempt. More complex than the last structure, but still with its design flaws. Notice how the Montaigne Ouevres Completes is dipping to one side, leaving Gargantua with a terribly insecure perch. 

Now featuring 2 dictionaries! Also a shot of the call numbers for two of the books (I know by heart that they start with PQ 1641- is this sad?) if you want to check them out after my exams. Sorry, but the copy of Gargantua (in Middle French) is mine. 

I'm especially proud of this one. It took some time to get all the books to balance just so. 

After all that stacking of books, it was only fitting that I balance them on my head. I wanted to challenge someone to a contest to see who could balance the most reading list books on their head, but it didn't really happen. 

Pony-on-the-Finger, enjoying Les Oeuvres Completes de Montaigne. We had an enlightening discussion after he finished reading. 

Pony-on-the-Finger, unfortunately being eaten by one of the Montaigne books. 

It doesn't work to hit the book against the table, does it?

I take back anything mean I said about Rabelais this morning (even if it was only to Emily). I also take back the hitting-myself-on-the-head with the book, and the banging of the book against the desk. I do not, however, take back the banging of du Bellay against the desk. I'm still mad at him and his problems. Gargantua rocks! Seriously, mes amis, a book about a giant who eats a lot? Obviously, it's about a lot of other things, but it's hilarious and I want to keep reading it and not move on to Montaigne's essays, which are going to bog me down, but are also the last big new thing to read. After that, I just need to re-read some things and maybe throw in some more Ronsard poems, etc, etc.

Why am I always listening to ABBA when I'm writing this? Am I really that crazy? Anyway, instead of continuing to rant on about Swedish bands, I'm going to bed. To bed, to bed, to bed!

I am supposed to be writing my lesson plan!

Look! I am still here! (I am also listening to ABBA, but that is a different story. You may remember the other ABBA references in this blog, which I'm too lazy to link to, which usually indicate utter insanity, and sometimes dancing around in front of buildings on campus. Never fear- that is not happening. I'm just writing this and getting ready to type up le lesson plan. Wow, long digression Gina!). I have been very busy! I have read a lot of books! I just graded papers! They require using a lot of exclamation points! I have not yet fully recovered from that!

But really, I've read a lot. I read every day (which is, yes, normal, but this is higher-than-usual density of reading). The upside to this is that I appear to be retaining the information. I also write it down on little note cards and put it in my cool note-card box full of exam-related goodness. I decorated it with stickers. It's pretty. Actually, I spent some time in the office when I was supposed to be reading decorating it with stickers. But I figure that this may inspire me to study? Or, at least show it to lots of other people and scream "Look what I did!" Seriously guys, there are lots of stickers on this thing. I should take a picture and show all of you so that you can all say "Wow Gina, that's a lot of stickers!" and "Wait, aren't you in grad school, not elementary school?" Back to the reading- to summarize- I have read a lot. I finished Les Regrets (documented in last Sunday's entries), knocked Louise Labe out of the park (elegies and sonnets, check!), and then spent a while with Ronsard (most notably his Amours (aka OBESESSION FOR SOMEONE HE PROBABLY MET ONCE, but no, I'm not bitter)) and then more time figuring out just how much more Ronsard I should read. I also met with my committee, and basically figured out the second question theme (or the main one) which is important because now I can direct the rest of my reading in a more meaningful way. It's not boring, I swear! Except du Bellay. He got pretty boring there at the end.

What else, ummm. Have I mentioned that my class this quarter is wonderful? Because they are. And they think the Amazing Race idea is funny, and laugh. Even though I think most of them missed the Eddie Izzard reference (Thank you for flying Church of England, cake or death? cake please!) (oh, other digression- I'm not playing the iTunes game again, but it just went into Magnetic Fields, so happy, but it reminds me that I really want to see Pieces of April again. If you don't get how that goes together, then you haven't been reading carefully! But anyways, I know that I was supposed to go on some sort of 12-step program to not watch it anymore, but people, I haven't seen this movie in OVER TWO MONTHS! Help! What should I do? )

Last night I went out with my friend Jen. To the zoo! No, not the zoo. We did end up at Indigo District again, but before that we went to.... Sweet Life. She had never been- how is that possible? Sweet Life is a dessert place (they actually use the word patisserie, which any good French student can tell you is a bakery specializing in sweet things, as opposed to a boulangerie, which is more for bread. I mean, you can usually get bread at a patisserie, but you can't at Sweet Life. ) that's actually open pretty late (11pm) by Eugene standards and that is WONDERFUL. Seriously, wonderful. Since Jen had never experienced the wonder that is Sweet Life, this was an important trip. I used my incredible mental skills to direct us there (actually, I used their website and Mapquest, since i had sort of forgotten the cross-streets and only knew an approximate location) and the Jen beheld, for the first time, the wonderful cases of cakes. There are other things, but cases of cakes sounds best. These are serious cakes. We had one slice of raspberry lemon-poppyseed and one of chocolate orange mousse cake. I wish I had pictures, but I forgot. Whoops. (ps- if you click on the Whoops you can go to their website). This was very good cake, but really rich and really big. If you're ever in Eugene, go to Sweet Life. Actually, if you're in Eugene, why haven't you called me? Aren't you supposed to be my friends? Unless you're stealth readers. Are there any stealth readers? Cause that would be cool! Find stealth readers, people!

Hmm, I just used my "type up lesson plan and make overheads" time to update this. Way to go, Gina. But one last thing- we're teaching this short story 'Voyage Circulaire" in class all week. It's by Zola. You know how I feel about Zola. Why? Why oh why do I have to teach Zola now? I think that this is the 19th century's way of getting back at me for making fun of it so much last quarter (and, frankly, a lot in the past as well). "Take that Gina!" says the 19th century. "You thought you could escape, but now we're giving you Zola to give to your students too! Aaaaahahah!" (that was maniacal realism laughter, if you couldn't tell).

No, I don't know all of you

Oh, I am tired. But it's a good tired, since I did large quantities of work today. Studying with Emily in the mornings has been great, since it tends to give me more time in the evening, and I don't feel bad or that I've accomplished nothing if I don't work for hours on end. Read read read. So much reading. Also had a meeting with one of the members of my exam committee, and she told me that I'm completely on track, which is a nice feeling. It was her office hours, and there was a line outside, but I got to jump the undergrad line, since i had made an appointment! Ha! Take that, non-appointment people!

I just spent a long time making activities for class tomorrow. See, they installed a data projector in the classroom where I teach (which is small and small and small), and the cords to hook everything up appear to be there now, so tomorrow I will attempt to hook my laptop up and make my class tres techno-ish (that's technology, not the music). I'm backing tomorrow's class up with overheads, just in case, but I really want these powerpoints to work. The class has taken to the "Gina and Eliana run the Amazing Race" theme, and so tomorrow we're actually "leaving" and doing our first "detour." Ha. I also convinced (well, not really convinced, since she said yes right away even though I thought she'd say no) Eliana to set up a bunch of pictures with me where we'll run around in backpacks (and heels, because it's us, and let's face it, if we really were on the Amazing Race, we'd wear heels) and do other Amazing Race-ish things. I am a really big geek, aren't I? But it makes class more fun, really it does! Any ideas for these pictures would be greatly appreciated, because I'm going to have to use them aaaaall quarter long.

I don't want this entry to be boring! Help! Sorry! Can anyone make this blog prettier? The orange is starting to go to my head!

Today I spent a bit of time with Justin (after I ran into him by Friendly Hall), during which I ran into about 10-15 people that I knew. He thought that this meant that I know everyone, and I was trying to explain that I do not, in fact, know that many people, and promptly ran into 3 more people I knew. So, that went well. But really, I didn't think I knew that many people- it's all those students! Also, I made him go look at graduation (ah! ah! ah!) things with me, to figure out what in the heck Masters regalia is anyway. Turns out it's a better gown (they trump us- I can't wear my undergrad gown), a special hood (though not like the PhD hood) and sash. Everything is white for French, since we're in Arts and Sciences. Mes amis, it looks like this is really going to happen. I can't really believe it. Oh wow, I'm more tired than I thought, so I'm going to get some sleep.

Me and Lakisha, after Indigo District. Actually, outside Indigo District, hence my sweater. Top was much cuter, promise.  

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, mes amis. At 10:45 this evening, I finished Les Regrets. All 191 of them. This, as you can tell, is a lot of regrets. I am happy. Tomorrow I have to start a new book. But tonight! Happy! To celebrate, here is a picture of me and Lakisha last night. Please ignore my bizarre sweater fashion-statement- it was cold-ish outside.

The great iTunes shuffle game

(during this post I'm going to list the songs that come up on iTunes while I'm writing. I'll put them in parentheses, just like this. Except this is obviously not a song title.)
(Sloop John B.- The Beach Boys)

First off, the long-awaited answers to my pseudo-quiz- The two snow formals were the LDA spring 2000 formal (I know this because I was wearing a dress with a train- yes, a train, and I had to hold it up outside. Why was I wearing a dress with a train? Well, at the time, when I was 18, it seemed like a really good idea. Another interesting fact is that that dress has been to at least 2 other formals, worn by other people) and the Delta Psi spring 2001 formal (where I had to use an umbrella because the snow would've made my hair go curly, and I had just straitened it). E and Lauren disagree about whether it snowed at the spring 2002 Delta Psi formal, and I will settle this dispute by saying that it may have snowed at the begininning of the night. Oh wait- it totally did, because I said that it wouldn't be Spring Formal without snow. (Here's to you- Joan Baez) So there you go. As for winter formals, god, I think there was snow at most of them. April- I remember the bad shoes, but I don't remember when they happened! April gets extra points on this quiz (where the points don't matter) for remembering the special importance that the photocopier outside Great Hall had for the Yule Ball. I don't know how many pictures it features in, but the number is large. (Alright, Jamiroquai). Next question, mes amis- what other Gina-sponsored-event focused on a photocopier?

Well, that's taken care of. It's still hectic here, but a better, focused hectic. I've been reading every day, which can get annoying, but will be good in the long run (the long run being in 6 weeks). I have STILL not finished Les Regrets, because it NEVER. ENDS. I might just sit down this evening with lots of candy and make myself skim the rest. (Sweet Pea, Tommy Roe) Exam committee things are coming along quite nicely (because my committee head is the best. ever. really. best. ever) and the MA essay thingie should work out. Wow, hold ambiguous Batman. But really, if I explained it all then A) it would be really complicated and B) you'd all get bored and no.one.would.care. So there. So much work to get done, including job applications, but it'll get done. I am confident! And I submitted my application to graduate this afternoon!!!!!!!! Wow. Ok, so it was only an online form, but still. It means something. (Gotta be Right, Worlds Apart- wow, that's embarressing. Should I share the ones that you'll laugh at? Discuss)

As you may know, Friday was April Fool's Day (ok, as you know- how could you not know that it wasn't April Fool's Day? Unless you lived under a rock or something, and that's just uncomfortable). I've always tried to pull something, but because it's me and I laugh so easily, nothing ever works. Hoooooowever- this year was different. This year was special. This year I totally fooled my 27 students. Ha. Take that French 203! (no, not really- they're so sweet!, but it was funny). I had to give them a quiz anyway, so I just made a pretend one, with the first and third questions being sentences they could actually put into the passive voice, and the rest being entirely in Old French and Old Occitan. What do you mean you're not up-to-date on your medieval languages? The looks on their faces when they got to question 2 were great- I had them going for a really long time. (A Century of Elvis- Belle and Sebastian). They kept saying that they didn't understand, and all I'd say was "Guys, seriously, you know how to do the passive voice, start by finding the verb. Ha. Finally, someone raises their hand and says "Gina, can you translate number 2? I don't understand and I can't even find the verb!" Then Is tarted laughing and they got it. Ha. It's great because the sentences looked nothing like modern French, so their brains were totally confused. I then had to give them the real test, but since I brought them candy (Swedish Fish- in French the day is Le poisson d'avril, or, the fish of April), they seemed ok with it all. We all laughed, and I was proud of myself. Go me! Snaps for me!

Yesterday? Went to campus and worked. Last night? So fun. So much fun. If the pictures look decent, maybe I'll put some up. However, I am not yet sure of this. (Love almost faded, Real McCoy. Oooooooh. This game might be over soon) Ok, I just looked at the pictures, and some might make the cut. During the first part of the evening (at Larisa's birthday party at Oregon Electric Station- a restaurant guys, not an actual electrical place. Think of all fo the things I could break at a place like that), we were discussing the very-recent death of the Pope and what we thought about it. Cameron brought up an interesting point "I just have to think about how the Pope would feel if I died. What would he do?" We all laughed. (Alarm Call, Bjork- that's more like it). Actually, I laughed a lot. One of the sonnets of the Regrets that I read yesterday talked about cardinals being "papable" or "popeable"- able to be pope. Best adjective ever. Use that in a sentence and tell me about it. I also found out that I cannot apply to be pope, sadly. You all know that I'm not really religious or anything of the sort, but the Pope always seemed like a nice man, and he spoke a lot of languages and did some good stuff, so I do feel badly for his death. As important as i know it is, though, I wish that news programs would cover something else as well. It is news, but not the only news.

Mes amis, Michigan State lost. This is sad. Really sad. Did I already mention that Tom Izzo, the coach, is the brother-in-law of our old neighbors in Lansing? (If you leave me, Sarah Cracknell) Because he is.

The time has come (to talk of many things, nooo, not Alice in Wonderland)- to go back to work. And reading. And lesson planning- we're starting the "les voyages" unit tomorrow. I think I'm going to send myself and Eliana (or the finger puppets) on the Amazing Race as an example. Hee.

I don't like this poem so I'm going to cross out the number and make it go away

Let's all do the "it's almost the end of week-one" dance! Wooooo. Ok, that's over with. But what I said before still holds true- it really is going to be a race to the finish. But then, well, no more school. This is interesting. I've been in school my entire life (except for those 9 months after I finished undergrad in December before coming here), so not going to class is going to be strange. Job? What?

So, banging a book against your desk will not make it go away, or magically remove it from your reading list, or insert all of the information into your head. Damn you, du Bellay! Why do you have SO many regrets? Seriously, I don't know if I have time for 180 pages of your problems. I know that you've been dead for a long time, but I felt that we should still have this conversation.

These are things that happened to me today:
"But Steve, I don't want to be a carrier of the plague!"
"Wait, Emily, where are we going?" (5 minutes later) "What are we doing?"
"Well, maybe if it was a school that really liked ninjas..."
"I couldn't have lived in the Middle Ages because they didn't have cupcakes."

And yesterday:
"Don't make overheads while watching the Amazing Race or this will happen to you!"
"It's an agent, but not like a secret agent." (about the passive voice with agent)

Is daylight savings this weekend? Is it sad that the way I remember is that it usually falls around formal time? Does anyone else remember the 2 spring formals where it snowed? April- name those formals that we went to in the spring, but where snow was involved! Go! Or anyone else? Anyone? Also, what office device was featured prominently in many Yule Ball photos? And why? This was not supposed to be a quiz, sorry.

Saturday night Michigan State plays to make the finals. I don't like sports. I don't like basketball. But I grew up going to Michigan State games, so I like watching them play. This is one of those few exceptions I'll make to watch a sporting event. In honor of that, I'll leave you with part of the MSU fight song. Sing it, damnit!
Go right through for MSU, watch the points keep grooooowing-
Spartan teams are bound to win they're fighting with a vim-
Raa raa raa raa!

(side note- is that word really supposed to be "vim?" can YOU prove me wrong?)