Fireworks

It seems the new year has been passing all day.  Not a good day to be bemigrained, so a short post today.

Waiting for Books

It seems the profs for my courses are being as lazy as me -- books for three of my courses are still not posted, nor are the readings line in anyway.  One week before next quarter, and no way to prepare in advance.  Just as well, I suppose, since I'm far behind on reading the books I do know about.

Also important for teaching... But I guess there isn't much to teach first week anyway.

Pre-quarter jitters are the worst.

App-ify Your Life

I feel like I might be depending on my apps to keep me in line.  There seem to be apps for everything, including all I eat, how often I sleep, how I work out, what I read, etc.  But this seems to work better-- so I guess it is mostly that I am most motivated by getting emails if I don't do something? 

Anyway, I need to think more about some possible posts for here, since my daily posts are lacking content.  Maybe just because I'm on vacation?

Let's go with that...

Classes

It is weird to know what to take in school, especially once you've been here forever. Especially when there are a bunch of classes that sound lovely for a single quarter, and you don't know when they'll be offered again.

This quarter, I am signed up for five classes, in addition to the one class worth of credit I get for teaching.

I want to take Black Marxism for the teacher and reading list. Also, Marxism.  Not to be mistaken with how it is conceived of in pop culture today.  Shakkur, man. And hauntology.

I want to take Caribbean lit because I may focus on that region and the books sound lovely. I've started reading and am entranced.

I am taking disability studies because that is my focus thematically (v regionally) and I love the prof and have one of the books and have read it.

I want to take transatlantic lit for the same as Caribbean and also because it focuses on 17th c so I get historical breadth req out of the way.

I have to take the other.

This is the most boring blog post ever, but I'm trying to do everyday...

Good Habit and Self Improvement Apps

Trying to be better about some things while continuing with others through the new year.  Obviously, blog posts are part of that...

1. Lumosity- continuing to train my brain to improve my attention span, multitasking, and memory.  Not sure if it actually works >.< but I will check in next year. At least my scores are going up.
2. Duolingo- started by studying Spanish then add French and recently Italian. I like the new coach function so you can set a daily goal for each language. Not sure how it's affecting my Spanish, which was decent to begin with but it has helped my non existent French quite a bit. Also competitiveness helps to motivate!
3. Fitbit- to make sure I walk a certain amount each day! Also competitive and links with Lose It
4. Lose It!- like Weight Watchers but free...
5. Habit RPG- to keep track of all this nonsense while building my mad wizard skills and making sure I hit goals before getting certain prizes.
6. Daily Workout- to keep up with my abs, leg, and arm weight training- as Lose it logs eating and work outs.
7. News 360- because Habit RPG says following the news is good for your brain...
8. Gratitude!- a journal to keep track of small joys throughout the day. Apparently helps a wee bit with depression. Just started...

I'll update this when I learn more about whether I like them or not.

Tidbit

I told Em that the Twinkle Lights are actually fairies, but they hide themselves by turning into light bulbs when people get too close.