Sweet, Sugary Sixteen

Lexi's b-day is Tuesday, but she, Mom and I celebrated last night. We went to see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which was actually pretty good (I was doubtful, I'll admit). My only complaint was that they did not include the TMNT theme song, which I was more than ready to sing along to. I'm sure Lexi was thankful for that. Afterwards we ate DQ ice cream cake, and she managed to eat more than I thought was humanly possible in one sitting without it coming back up. I was impressed. In a sort of sick way.

Today was all about the studying. Dear goodness, I think I've fallen into a pit of studying and there's no way out! Is it summer yet? Is semester over yet? Oh right, this is Spring Break. Two more months.

However, I am learning about current state of the privatized military firm industry, which is highly interesting. And no, I am not referring to mercenaries. I suppose it is logical in many ways, but pretty weird to think about outsourcing military needs. Hmmmm.

Monica and I are hitting a new venue for some salsa tonight. Hope it's good! It will be a great break from studying. I think I might turn into a textbook soon. I'll spew pretentious words and pontificate, and only annoyingly smart people with too much time on their hands will be able to understand me. And I'll smell like old books. I guess that part's not too bad.

But really. How did Lexi eat all of that cake? Ahh, the wonders of life!

Spring Break

It's Spring Break, which if you're an undergrad means you might be off to some fun location where too much alcohol is consumed and you do things you hope no one you respect ever finds out about, however, as a grad student it's a little different. (ok, not that I ever did that kind of thing as an undergrad, but I watch MTV.) Instead, not having classes gives me time to catch up on some homework and get ahead a bit. Is that sad?

Auntie's coming to visit for a few days. Yay!

Yesterday Mom and co. were out at the barn getting things ready for sessions of Equus which start today, I believe. And Gail made Indian food!!!!!! I hadn't had Indian food since Germany, and it was sooooooooo good!

Not much else new. Had green beer on St. Patty's Day. It felt very celebratory. I was excited. I actually finished a beer, I think that's a first for me! I do not plan to make it a habit. Ew. (making grossed out face)

Salsa

Friday night was amazing. After picking up Dad from the airport, I raced off to Monica's and we salsaed the night away. I'm not sure if it was the good weather or what, but the place was packed. And boy howdy were there some good dancers, a few of which I got to dance with. I barely left the dance floor for over two hours, and yes, my feet still hurt. It was great! Some of the people out there said they're going to Skybox Thursday, so we agreed to go. I would go more often if I didn't need that pesky little "sleep" thing. : )

Today it's church, groceries, Mom's, and lots of studying. I'm trying to read John Rawls Laws of People today. Fun stuff. Almost.

I was reading for my Multicultural Education class and came across some very interesting points and a quote I wanted to share. Just some food for thought.

"Education is a form of socialization. The purpose of education is to modify behavior, to make the individual a different person from what he would otherwise be. It is for this reason that educational policy is always social policy and that, in the modern world, the school is employed, deliberately, for the achievement of definite social purposes, becomes, in fact, a crucial element in national policy" (Newton 1939).

Thoughts? I realized I had never really thought of any other reasons for education than to transmit knowledge, but then again, what is knowledge and who decides what should be taught to children? And to what point? Are cultural values also transmitted in the process?

One more.

"Education must aim, first of all, at the building of minds that are sensitive to the social realities of the world in which they live, that are free, that have acquired the capacity for thinking for themselves, because they have had the opportunity to think for themselves" (Newton 1939, emphasis mine).

All right, I'm off my soap box.

: )

Success!

And what a happy March it is! This week has been filled with warmth and sunshine, bringing back that lying on the floor and coughing almost dead hope that spring and summer will indeed return. Ahhhh. Bliss, I tell you, bliss.

The exciting news is that I now have my first member of my thesis committee. Progress on the thesis! Score! I am so psyched. It did not even require any bribing, coercing, or any similar manner that might challenge my moral integrity. That's right, this prof is a willing participant in my thesis. (big sigh of relief). One down, two more to go. And then, maybe I'll redign my thesis and actually consider working on it. Maybe. Maybe I'll wait til semester's over. It's not like there's really time now anyhow.

Tomorrow night is salsa at the Madrid, one of my favorite times of the month. Juhu!

Dad also returns tomorrow from his two-week stay on the East Coast. It will be good to have him back. However, it means that I will have to clear the kitchen table, which has slowly been devoured by my homework.

Tonight I met up with MISO (Masters of International Studies Organization) and we had a sort of international "show and tell". People brought pics and artifacts from their travels, and told stories as well. It was fabulous. And a nice break from reading about bombing Hiroshima and General Sherman's correspondence with General Hood. Both of which, to my utter hesistance to admit, were quite interesting reads! (is there still hope for me? maybe if I watch some MTV my brain will return to normal functioning status)

Has anyone else been noticing some serious static cling and electricity lately? Holy cow Batman. Ok, if I keep writing I will only get sillier, so it's good night for me.

: )