Seems like every time I try to read, someone (namely my husband) interrupts me! For instance, we were driving from our house to Lafayette yesterday (an hour's drive) and we had chatted for a bit, then he turned up the radio. Good clue for me to pull out the Nook. So I did. I picked up where I left off in The Help, and after he interruped me for the fourth time, I put the Nook back in my bag.
Then he said, "Oh, were you reading? I'll just not talk then." Which of course he SAYS he will do, then never does! Conversing with my husband is important, and we do talk a lot (maybe more than other couples do), but I really did want to 'get into' this book.
Yesterday afternoon, however, we were at my daughter's house. We had fixed dinner for all of us, and we were waiting for Hilary and Landon to come home from work/babysitter. Blaine had a call out (he is a firefighter/EMT) so he would be home later. Quiet house. Gary was reading the paper. I pulled out the Nook, once again. Later I got in some reading time before falling asleep. This book is really good. I am captured. I love it! One of these days I will find the time to just sit back in the wicker chair in the sunroom, glass of iced tea on the table, reading my Nook. I can't wait.
Of course, sunshine is needed to REALLY enjoy the sunroom. One of these days.......
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Back to reading.....
So....back to the matters at hand....reading.
One of the books I tried to download the other day at Barnes and Noble was This Time Together by Carol Burnett. Some of you are too young to even remember her variety show, but for those of the older crowd, you probably remember her tugs on her ear at the end, Harvey Korman and Tim Conway, and the skits with Vicki Lawrence. My reading habits have changed lately, and I am exploring more of the non-fiction books, including biographies and autobiographies. I am excited to start on this one, but as I said, I "tried" to download it. Our credit card number changed due to our bank switching carriers. My account is tied to the old number, so the charge was denied since that number no longer exists for us. Changing the number was easy; getting the Nook people to realize that has been hard. I have selecting so many numbers and talked to no one that I finally gave up. Maybe I will try again today!
I am still trying to get past the first few pages of The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I have heard nothing but good reviews for this novel, so I am anxious to really get into it. Unfortunately people (like my husband, our daughters, and our grandson) have interrupted me (not that I am complaining, of course).
Now that the semester is officially over (after graduation) and I officially have some 'time off' I plan to migrate to the sunroom and just read. I'll keep you posted on the progress!
What are you reading this summer? Share! I am always looking for new titles.
One of the books I tried to download the other day at Barnes and Noble was This Time Together by Carol Burnett. Some of you are too young to even remember her variety show, but for those of the older crowd, you probably remember her tugs on her ear at the end, Harvey Korman and Tim Conway, and the skits with Vicki Lawrence. My reading habits have changed lately, and I am exploring more of the non-fiction books, including biographies and autobiographies. I am excited to start on this one, but as I said, I "tried" to download it. Our credit card number changed due to our bank switching carriers. My account is tied to the old number, so the charge was denied since that number no longer exists for us. Changing the number was easy; getting the Nook people to realize that has been hard. I have selecting so many numbers and talked to no one that I finally gave up. Maybe I will try again today!
I am still trying to get past the first few pages of The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I have heard nothing but good reviews for this novel, so I am anxious to really get into it. Unfortunately people (like my husband, our daughters, and our grandson) have interrupted me (not that I am complaining, of course).
Now that the semester is officially over (after graduation) and I officially have some 'time off' I plan to migrate to the sunroom and just read. I'll keep you posted on the progress!
What are you reading this summer? Share! I am always looking for new titles.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Graduation 2010
During my first year at Ivy Tech, my office partner, Gretchen Jordan, told me how she felt about the graduation ceremony. I had, of course, participated in two graduation ceremonies---once from my high school and one from Indiana State with my BS degree. I opted not to walk for my MS from Purdue, a decision I have regretted often. My oldest daughter led the procession with a perfect 4.0 when she received her degree from ISU, and both my youngest daughter and my son-in-law have their associate degrees from Ivy Tech, Lafayette region. My oldest daughter decided not to walk this spring when she received her Master's degree from Indiana Wesleyan.
I, like Gretchen, have come to love graduation. There is a feeling of the 'academic' during a graduation ceremony. I always feel such pride when I don my cap and gown, then add the stole with the white velvet for Liberal Arts under my chin and the Purdue black and gold down the back of my stole. When I look around at my colleagues, I see the professionals that we are, that we sometimes miss in the day-to-day activities on the campuses.
The other sense of pride comes from watching the graduates file in, sit in the rows in front of us as faculty, then walk across the stage after their names are announced, full of excitement, happiness, and accomplishment. This year, after four years with Ivy Tech, I heard many of my students' names called, and I felt a sense of accomplishment with them as they accepted their diplomas.
Tonight was a little different, though, than the other four years. This year the student speaker was one of mine. Tonya was selected as the recipient of the highest award given in our region, the Chancellor's Award. As a result, she was also the one to give the 'charge' to the graduates and to lead them in turning their tassels. I know that I am not the only professor she had in her long journey toward her degree; however, I am probably one of the few she had for two classes, and probably the only one she had ALL YEAR this, her final year of Ivy Tech. Last week at the Honors Program was the first time Tonya and I actually met face to face. However, I felt like I have known her for a long time--and I had, since she had been in both ENGL 222 and ENGL 223 this year. I am so proud of her. She has accomplished so much. She is an excellent student and one that will continue to grow and learn as she pursues another degree somewhere, maybe Chicago.
Congratulations to Tonya on her graduation tonight. Congratulations to Lori, who is still floating around from her graduation last week. Keep in touch with us here on the blogs or through email. What an accomplishment for both of you!
I, like Gretchen, have come to love graduation. There is a feeling of the 'academic' during a graduation ceremony. I always feel such pride when I don my cap and gown, then add the stole with the white velvet for Liberal Arts under my chin and the Purdue black and gold down the back of my stole. When I look around at my colleagues, I see the professionals that we are, that we sometimes miss in the day-to-day activities on the campuses.
The other sense of pride comes from watching the graduates file in, sit in the rows in front of us as faculty, then walk across the stage after their names are announced, full of excitement, happiness, and accomplishment. This year, after four years with Ivy Tech, I heard many of my students' names called, and I felt a sense of accomplishment with them as they accepted their diplomas.
Tonight was a little different, though, than the other four years. This year the student speaker was one of mine. Tonya was selected as the recipient of the highest award given in our region, the Chancellor's Award. As a result, she was also the one to give the 'charge' to the graduates and to lead them in turning their tassels. I know that I am not the only professor she had in her long journey toward her degree; however, I am probably one of the few she had for two classes, and probably the only one she had ALL YEAR this, her final year of Ivy Tech. Last week at the Honors Program was the first time Tonya and I actually met face to face. However, I felt like I have known her for a long time--and I had, since she had been in both ENGL 222 and ENGL 223 this year. I am so proud of her. She has accomplished so much. She is an excellent student and one that will continue to grow and learn as she pursues another degree somewhere, maybe Chicago.
Congratulations to Tonya on her graduation tonight. Congratulations to Lori, who is still floating around from her graduation last week. Keep in touch with us here on the blogs or through email. What an accomplishment for both of you!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Nook Time at B and N
Monday was a 'me day' but it went by too fast and I didn't accomplish everything I wanted to do. Yes, two trips to Hobby Lobby, one with each daughter. Lunch at McAlisters with Hilary. Trip to Target with Hilary which is always fun. Shopping for Megan's 2nd bridal shower. Finally Barnes and Noble for a couple of hours until Megan was out of school and ready to shop for curtain fabric.
Megan was always the reader of my two daughters (and she is the English teacher/librarian--go figure), but Hilary, the non-reader, is the one who had the parttime job at Barnes and Noble and now spends her 'paperwork time' at a table near the Cafe. She was already into her paperwork for the students she supervises as a Job Coach for special needs juniors and seniors when I arrived at B and N.
Scanning my 'in store' options was a treat, in every sense of the word. I found a coupon for a free Seven Layer Bar from the Cafe, which I promptly redeemed, and purchased a small drink--Taso Shaken Iced Tea and Lemonade (made with passion fruit tea). Both I shared with Hilary (fewer calories on the bar that way) and we decided that the tea needed a packet of sweet n low to take some of the bite away---then it was delicious!
I discovered that I can read several books free while I am in the store. That equates to sitting in a library and reading some of the books while there. Of course checking out the same book is 'free' too, but not quite the same. Too, I would have to spend much more time at B and N to take advantage of that particular opportunity and it is too far for me to drive (one hour each way) to do that on a regular basis. However, good option to keep in mind if I have time to kill in Lafayette sometime.
Another advantage for me was to be able to physically browse the shelves, checking out favorite authors, best sellers, new fiction, new non-fiction, biographies, and just pick up the actual book, read the back, flip through the contents, read a few passages, and then check it out on my Nook for purchase (usually much less expensive that buying the hard copy). I am not quite into the browsing on the Nook yet...I need to have the book in my hand to see it and read a little. I have been known to stand in Target with my pen and pad of paper, going through the books there and writing down titles also. Embarrassing for my daughters? Yes. Doesn't bother my husband though! I like browsing in B and N much better...more selections!
A downfall with the Nook---some titles are not available. One book that I really wanted to read was not available on the Nook. I found it on the bargain table and it was under $5, so I did buy it, but I was hoping it would be one of those 99 cents bargains on the Nook. Not to be.
So...I bought three books while I was in B and N, started reading one I had purchased earlier, enjoyed half of a Seven Layer Bar and half of a cup of Taso Shakend Iced Tea/Lemonade, and fulfilled part of my dream for the "Me Day" on Monday.
The phone call from Megan pulled me from my spot near the Cafe. The second trip to Hobby Lobby, then dinner with Hilary, Blaine, and Landon at Pepe's, then an overnight stay with them so I could spend time with Landon before Megan's bridal shower the next afternoon at Clinton Prairie. Not a bad way to celebrate the end of the semester and get started on my Nook reading for the summer.
Megan was always the reader of my two daughters (and she is the English teacher/librarian--go figure), but Hilary, the non-reader, is the one who had the parttime job at Barnes and Noble and now spends her 'paperwork time' at a table near the Cafe. She was already into her paperwork for the students she supervises as a Job Coach for special needs juniors and seniors when I arrived at B and N.
Scanning my 'in store' options was a treat, in every sense of the word. I found a coupon for a free Seven Layer Bar from the Cafe, which I promptly redeemed, and purchased a small drink--Taso Shaken Iced Tea and Lemonade (made with passion fruit tea). Both I shared with Hilary (fewer calories on the bar that way) and we decided that the tea needed a packet of sweet n low to take some of the bite away---then it was delicious!
I discovered that I can read several books free while I am in the store. That equates to sitting in a library and reading some of the books while there. Of course checking out the same book is 'free' too, but not quite the same. Too, I would have to spend much more time at B and N to take advantage of that particular opportunity and it is too far for me to drive (one hour each way) to do that on a regular basis. However, good option to keep in mind if I have time to kill in Lafayette sometime.
Another advantage for me was to be able to physically browse the shelves, checking out favorite authors, best sellers, new fiction, new non-fiction, biographies, and just pick up the actual book, read the back, flip through the contents, read a few passages, and then check it out on my Nook for purchase (usually much less expensive that buying the hard copy). I am not quite into the browsing on the Nook yet...I need to have the book in my hand to see it and read a little. I have been known to stand in Target with my pen and pad of paper, going through the books there and writing down titles also. Embarrassing for my daughters? Yes. Doesn't bother my husband though! I like browsing in B and N much better...more selections!
A downfall with the Nook---some titles are not available. One book that I really wanted to read was not available on the Nook. I found it on the bargain table and it was under $5, so I did buy it, but I was hoping it would be one of those 99 cents bargains on the Nook. Not to be.
So...I bought three books while I was in B and N, started reading one I had purchased earlier, enjoyed half of a Seven Layer Bar and half of a cup of Taso Shakend Iced Tea/Lemonade, and fulfilled part of my dream for the "Me Day" on Monday.
The phone call from Megan pulled me from my spot near the Cafe. The second trip to Hobby Lobby, then dinner with Hilary, Blaine, and Landon at Pepe's, then an overnight stay with them so I could spend time with Landon before Megan's bridal shower the next afternoon at Clinton Prairie. Not a bad way to celebrate the end of the semester and get started on my Nook reading for the summer.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Spending time with my Nook....
Time for a little reading for just me! Favorite store? Barnes and Noble. I know--many people would not choose the same, but I love just browsing, sitting and reading, drinking some hot caramel apple cider (more in the fall and winter--but today IS rather chilly), and relaxing. I enjoy the atmosphere. People watching is great---so many people, all ages, all sizes, very diverse, all looking for something to read which makes me smile.
So my Nook and I will be spending some time and B and N today. I have had my Nook with me just twice in the store. Once I couldn't access anything and once the Nookguy fixed the problem, my daughter and I left. Something about meeting my other daughter at David's Bridal took precedence, I think. The second time I had a similar problem, but once it was fixed, Gary was nice enough to wander around in HIS favorite area (movies) while I checked out the in-store offers and downloaded a free book. Today will be my chance to browse, relax, read, people watch, and enjoy a cup of something in one of my favorite places. I can't wait!
Watch for updates on Nook reading from the sunroom...future installments on the way!
So my Nook and I will be spending some time and B and N today. I have had my Nook with me just twice in the store. Once I couldn't access anything and once the Nookguy fixed the problem, my daughter and I left. Something about meeting my other daughter at David's Bridal took precedence, I think. The second time I had a similar problem, but once it was fixed, Gary was nice enough to wander around in HIS favorite area (movies) while I checked out the in-store offers and downloaded a free book. Today will be my chance to browse, relax, read, people watch, and enjoy a cup of something in one of my favorite places. I can't wait!
Watch for updates on Nook reading from the sunroom...future installments on the way!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Melt my heart....
What a day yesterday! I chatted with Lori last night on Pronto and we counted the pluses for the day. Sharing them here:
Lori graduated with honors from Ivy Tech Community College -South Bend campus. Woo Hoo!! She also received a scholarship to IUSB to continue her work on her Bachelor's Degree.
Tonya received the Outstanding Student in Liberal Arts Award from the Kokomo region - my region, by the way.
The Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Student in the Kokomo region was also TONYA! Woo Hoo~!!!
I have been using the phrase "melts my heart" so much lately. Yesterday was one of those "melts my heart" days. Congratulations to Lori! Congratulation to Tonya!
Keep me posted on your lives 'after ENGL 223.' The blogs will be here. Pronto is always on when I am working on the computer (or playing around on it too!). I will be waiting for more of the 'melt my heart' moments!
Thank you for exploring American literature with me. I loved every moment. Have a wonderful summer...and Happy Reading!
Lori graduated with honors from Ivy Tech Community College -South Bend campus. Woo Hoo!! She also received a scholarship to IUSB to continue her work on her Bachelor's Degree.
Tonya received the Outstanding Student in Liberal Arts Award from the Kokomo region - my region, by the way.
The Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Student in the Kokomo region was also TONYA! Woo Hoo~!!!
I have been using the phrase "melts my heart" so much lately. Yesterday was one of those "melts my heart" days. Congratulations to Lori! Congratulation to Tonya!
Keep me posted on your lives 'after ENGL 223.' The blogs will be here. Pronto is always on when I am working on the computer (or playing around on it too!). I will be waiting for more of the 'melt my heart' moments!
Thank you for exploring American literature with me. I loved every moment. Have a wonderful summer...and Happy Reading!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Everything is literature.....
Yes, I know. It is nearly 5:00 a.m. and I am posting on the Blog. I was so tired last night so I went to bed at 10. For some reason I was wide awake at 4:30 and instead of tossing and turning and ultimately disturbing my husband, I decided to read the blogs.
Kayla posted about researching. We read all the time, more than we realize. One of the things I always stressed to my students (in my past life) was how important reading was to each of them. Of course I was dealing with teenagers who thought English class was boring and unimportant and anything learned was useless. So we read. We read stories in the text (no pictures). We watched movie versions of short stories and novels to show that the 'good stuff' had to come from somewhere. We acted out the plays in the text so they would be more involved in the reading process. We wrote outside after reading Walden. We read the newspaper. We searched for messages on billboards. We read ads. We watched a game show with the sound off and read the closed captioning instead. Reading is everywhere.
Just before summer break a junior class was talking about their classes for their senior years. Novels class was a senior elective--a fun class, field trips to libraries, to the movie theatre to see Dances with Wolves and A River Runs through It (those trips were a LONG time ago). One student commented that she had better things to do with her time---while we were wasting our time reading, she would be enjoying life.
I was happy that I didn't have to say a thing--the rest of the class jumped on her about how she read every day, whether she realized it or not, that reading was important just to daily living, and that so much could be learned/experienced/gained from reading anything and everything. They surprised me then by listing all the things they could read and what they could learn: recipes (new ingredients, new cooking methods, new food --Kevin would like that, right!), directions when traveling (new places to see, new places to go), weather maps and statements (it was tornado season in the northern Indiana flatlands), and on and on. It did my heart good!
While some may disagree that everything is 'literature' (and I would have to concur to some extent), the words appear on the page, the eyes read, the mind processes, and new information is added to the bank of knowledge. Food for the mind!
Kayla posted about researching. We read all the time, more than we realize. One of the things I always stressed to my students (in my past life) was how important reading was to each of them. Of course I was dealing with teenagers who thought English class was boring and unimportant and anything learned was useless. So we read. We read stories in the text (no pictures). We watched movie versions of short stories and novels to show that the 'good stuff' had to come from somewhere. We acted out the plays in the text so they would be more involved in the reading process. We wrote outside after reading Walden. We read the newspaper. We searched for messages on billboards. We read ads. We watched a game show with the sound off and read the closed captioning instead. Reading is everywhere.
Just before summer break a junior class was talking about their classes for their senior years. Novels class was a senior elective--a fun class, field trips to libraries, to the movie theatre to see Dances with Wolves and A River Runs through It (those trips were a LONG time ago). One student commented that she had better things to do with her time---while we were wasting our time reading, she would be enjoying life.
I was happy that I didn't have to say a thing--the rest of the class jumped on her about how she read every day, whether she realized it or not, that reading was important just to daily living, and that so much could be learned/experienced/gained from reading anything and everything. They surprised me then by listing all the things they could read and what they could learn: recipes (new ingredients, new cooking methods, new food --Kevin would like that, right!), directions when traveling (new places to see, new places to go), weather maps and statements (it was tornado season in the northern Indiana flatlands), and on and on. It did my heart good!
While some may disagree that everything is 'literature' (and I would have to concur to some extent), the words appear on the page, the eyes read, the mind processes, and new information is added to the bank of knowledge. Food for the mind!
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