I spent about 2 solid weeks grading papers of the master's course I am co-teaching. It was awful. 70 students, and I would say about 55 of them chose the same topic... It was pulling teeth toward the end. I wasn't sure I was going to get through it. Also, I was not allowed (by the main professor) to count off for grammar, typos, spelling, or the fact that some of the students (master's, so they have to have completed college somewhere) did not staple their papers. Ugghhh. When I have full reign of my own courses that I teach, please note that any paper that is handed to me unstapled will be torn in half, then torn in half again, then torn in half again, and then sprinkled on the floor. While the student watches.
If you are getting your master's and you don't know how to use a stapler, or else you don't feel like giving your professor the courtesy of stapling your pages, then we have some big issues.... Sorry for that tirade, but perhaps you can see now how frustrating those couple of weeks were, ha!
P and I went to Mobile at the beginning of March as the guests of our dear, dear friends who live there. We also attended a Mardi Gras ball which was extremely fun (especially the wearing fancy clothes, etc. part). Here's a picture of our fabulousness:
If you can't tell, that is our version of a dramatic, movie-style kiss. Not sure what our inspiration was, but now we have a dramatic, movie-style kiss picture. Everyone needs one, right? Oh well. It's digital, I can always delete it :)
We celebrated my little sister's 21st birthday and St. Patrick's Day (two days in a row), which was a lot of fun, and goodness knows she was excited. Apparently the biggest day of her life, thus far (we're hoping there's much more to come!). I have lots of pictures from that, but I haven't uploaded them yet, so I'll add some later. I think I also need to get some releases from the people in them so I haven't violated anyone's privacy and whatnot... I will, however, show you the awesome, amazing gift that we got for little sis (40% off and split 4 ways):
Those are her dream boots for the past two years and luckily for her, the timing was right in the stores!
Also, we are celebrating my younger cousin, L's engagement! She and her fiance have been together for about 2 years and they just got engaged! They are getting married next June and we are all so, so excited for them! They are a great pair!
In boring, personal life news, I have been studying for comps, feeling guilty about any time I am spending when I am not studying for comps, and doing a fair amount of stress eating! Please, everyone, try to keep your jealousy of my glamorous lifestyle to a minimum. Not everyone can handle the glitzy world of higher academia...
Finally, today, I want to wish my other baby cousin, J, a happy, happy 2nd birthday! I will be showering and garbing up shortly to attend her "tu-two" birthday party (really excited about anything to do with ballet, and love her mommy's theme!). I also have heard there will be a moonbounce at the party which I haven't had the pleasure of enjoying since our after-prom party my senior year of high school. I'll ask J's mom if it's okay for me to put a picture of her up because she (and other baby cousin Allie) is/are so stinking cute I can't stand it!
I hope you are all getting out and enjoying some of this spring warmth, and I'll be updating soon with hopefully more pictures and more interesting news :)
C
