Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
That's a Wrap
My last night class has finally come and gone. I've given the final exam, and I've just got to finish grading and enter the outcomes. Another quarter down. My class of 14 adult students, all fantastic writers and thinkers, have survived an "Introduction to Literature," and much to my surprise many have even decided not to sell back their textbook. Several of my students commented that they finally "got" poetry, and even looked forward to reading more. One guys said he had dreaded taking the class, but now feels like he really wants to read more of our book that we didn't get to in 8 short weeks. They all had best wishes for me and the baby and want to hear news right away in December.
As always, it is both a relief to finish the course, and a bit of sadness too. I think of all the things I wish I'd covered. I worry that the exam was too hard or too cryptic. I worry that I didn't convey enough the beauty of literature, the accessibility of poetry and fiction-the excitement of drama. I worry that I was too easy or too challenging. I think about the two students who didn't finish the course, and I wonder what happened to them.
I'll miss our Monday nights, but I have to admit, I feel like I can finally, mentally get down to the business of planning for this child of mine to enter the world. Some part of me was putting on the back burner until now all thoughts of newborn onsies, bassinets, washing sheets and clothes, and lining up help with my children. It's as though there really wasn't room in my thoughts for Lorraine Hansberry and Spiritual Midwifery. I couldn't prepare for class and think of names. Now I'm ready, and there's 7 short weeks left (if all goes as scheduled). I've got a couple of more holidays to knock out, and I'm home free. The weather is cool, my load is lighter, and I've got plenty to keep me busy while I plan for my life to once again be radically changed forever. If you are planning a child, I don't know if I recommend getting pregnant in March. There's a hot summer, starting school if you already have little ones, a crazy busy fall, Halloween (though there is the joy of going as the Mother of Christ..), Thanksgiving, and I don't even want to think about Christmas shopping or snow when I can barely bend over. But there is the promise of laid back and snuggly winter days with the perfect excuse for not going anywhere, but my own living room surrounded by a warm fire in the fireplace and my little family all around. That image is worth all the planning yet to come. As always, I'll keep you posted.
As always, it is both a relief to finish the course, and a bit of sadness too. I think of all the things I wish I'd covered. I worry that the exam was too hard or too cryptic. I worry that I didn't convey enough the beauty of literature, the accessibility of poetry and fiction-the excitement of drama. I worry that I was too easy or too challenging. I think about the two students who didn't finish the course, and I wonder what happened to them.
I'll miss our Monday nights, but I have to admit, I feel like I can finally, mentally get down to the business of planning for this child of mine to enter the world. Some part of me was putting on the back burner until now all thoughts of newborn onsies, bassinets, washing sheets and clothes, and lining up help with my children. It's as though there really wasn't room in my thoughts for Lorraine Hansberry and Spiritual Midwifery. I couldn't prepare for class and think of names. Now I'm ready, and there's 7 short weeks left (if all goes as scheduled). I've got a couple of more holidays to knock out, and I'm home free. The weather is cool, my load is lighter, and I've got plenty to keep me busy while I plan for my life to once again be radically changed forever. If you are planning a child, I don't know if I recommend getting pregnant in March. There's a hot summer, starting school if you already have little ones, a crazy busy fall, Halloween (though there is the joy of going as the Mother of Christ..), Thanksgiving, and I don't even want to think about Christmas shopping or snow when I can barely bend over. But there is the promise of laid back and snuggly winter days with the perfect excuse for not going anywhere, but my own living room surrounded by a warm fire in the fireplace and my little family all around. That image is worth all the planning yet to come. As always, I'll keep you posted.
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