Tweakin' Things

Stats:
hours studied today: 5
brain power: dwindling
thesis: 37%
articles read: 8+
inches of hair chopped: 7
learning: how literary theory applies to autobiography
looking forward to: SOCHI 2014!!
highlight: new haircut!

Weekly Update:

I was tweakin' a lot of things this week. You've probably already noticed the pretty changes I made to the blog, but I also cut my hair!!

I'm so so happy with the way it turned out! I feel like a fresher, happier version of me.

Academically, this week hasn't been super great for me. I've had a lot of work to do for my project, but not the motivation to do it. Last week I compiled all my citation information and this week I've been slogging through the process of reading them all. Next time, I think I'll start the reading process a lot sooner. It's only hard because the material is often so dense with highly specialized vocabularies that it takes extra time to comprehend the material (and then I have to summarize it and write about it.) Plus, yesterday I decided to tweak my research approach, which could potentially eliminate a good chunk of the articles I've already located (and also read). I'm trying not to stress too much about it. It will be fine in the end, I know.

My Old Lady Shoes

The latest and greatest debate in the Tyler household:

Did or did not Misha order "old lady" shoes from Sears???

The sides are split, ironically according to gender with the males of this family arguing, "yes, they are totally old lady shoes" and the females of this household arguing, "No, these are totally hip!" What do you think? Are my crochet Toms knockoffs granny or chic? Actually, I don't want to hear your opinion because I think they're totally cute! #letsbehonest

My Thesis: Autobiography

In a time when the world is flooded with information, what's the point of adding one more story to the mix? One more story that is not likely to get noticed? Yet the autobiography genre is still thriving with people from all different backgrounds penning their stories. Why?

My project seeks to study this phenomenon asking the question, "How does the process of writing one's autobiography impact the way one views oneself and one's life-story?" My sub-questions will follow the writing process first analyzing what motivates people to write about themselves, studying the steps required to write an autobiography, and finally examining what authors learn about themselves through and after the writing process. The study will culminate in an autobiographical piece written by none other than myself! I have a few hypotheses about the answers I find and I think they will have something to do with identity and self-perception, but we'll see!

Because this is my thesis project (and not a research paper) I will be doing all the primary research, not culling it from other sources. In addition to my own writing project, I plan to send out a questionnaire to a panel of autobiographical authors. I'm hoping to develop a sample group which consists of authors at different stages in the autobiography process (already published, still writing, editing etc.). Then I'll collect the responses, organize them, and incorporate them into my material.

The paper is broken up into five chapters: the introduction, an overview of literature, an explication of methodology, the results of study, and a conclusion discussing the results. The course mentor has also been really helpful so far; she makes the whole project feel a lot more manageable and a lot less daunting! Under her guidance, I feel a lot more equipped moving forward. Being so young and tackling such a large project (my undergrad thesis!) sometimes feelings of inadequacy nag at me. What if my project isn't good enough? significant enough? professional enough? or something else? What if it's already been done? I suppose I question the scholarship of my topic. But I'm holding on to the positive feedback I've gotten on it, both from my course mentor as well as from other students in the class and a variety of other people I know in real life. I try to stay positive because I know I am so close to finishing my degree! The end is closer than it appears!

"Diary" by Barnaby, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

How to Ace College Literature*

A lot of these tricks I've learned the hard way through my experiences; so I wanted to pass the wisdom on.

How to Ace College Literature*

1) Don't lose a day. Every little bit counts when it comes to reading. Pace Yourself.

2) Gauge teacher's expectations/style. The funny thing about college (and education in general) is that it's really not about what you think at all. It's about what the teacher thinks. So study your teacher well.

3) Listen to feedback. Again, it's not about what you think; it's about what the teacher thinks.

4) Use the correct format. If your teacher specifies MLA format (which is typical for literature and English classes), know that this does not just apply to citations!! MLA format addresses everything from font size and margins to page numbers and how to head your papers. Some teachers deduct 10% of your grade if your paper is not in the correct format.

5) Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. There is nothing like getting a comment back about your sloppy work. 

5B) Read your work aloud to yourself. There's some good proofreading advice out there and it is this: read your work aloud to yourself. Your ear will catch your errors. No one actually does this.... DO IT.

6) Sparknotes is your friend. Sometimes Sparknotes is a sufficient replacement for reading the book. However, try not to rely on it too much and only read plot and character summaries. Don't read the analysis unless you absolutely have to, because what you read will affect your commentary and you don't want to accidentally plagiarize. 

7) Learn how to B.S. your way through a paper. It doesn't matter how or where you learn this (as long as it doesn't involve plagiarism); being able to talk your way out of a situation (or an assignment) is a handy skill. I learned this skill through my experience with YMCA's Youth and Government program and being on debate teams.

8) Don't study on your bed. "English majors: all they do is read." While this may be true, this doesn't mean you should do your reading in bed.

9) Combine Paper Topics. Check your school's academic policy first before resubmitting old papers (even if your "old paper" is for another class you're currently taking). If you've done the work once, why do it twice? Use an open-topic essay to talk about a subject you already know a lot about.

10) Work ahead. Finished the reading early? Good! Now start on the next reading assignment.


*disclaimer: results may vary

Stats

Stats:

cups of tea: 4
cookies baked: 8 dozen
thesis status: 25% complete
time spent on the phone: 3 hours 6 minutes
feeling: okay
listening to: my iPad on shuffle (i.e. a lot of random, weird, eclectic music, most of which I didn't even know I owned)
looking forward to: HS staff vs. MS staff softball game
highlight: baking cookies

Weekly Update:

Well the first full week of Jake's absence has been okay. Now that things have settled, I'm adjusting to the new routines. But in actuality, this routine is far from new. After two semesters of "long-distancing" it already, this third one has brought with it an almost familiar feeling like, "I've done this before. I can do it again!" Of course I knew all along that I would be just fine, but I think the few days before saying goodbye are always hard.

My thesis project is coming along! I promise to post some more details about my topic soon! I've already settled on my major question and submitted my first chapter. My teacher said that she loves my topic choice and my chapter is a wonderful start for the project. This week, I'll be putting together the 2nd chapter--a review of the literature on my topic. So hopefully next week, my thesis status will read 40%! I'm really excited about it! More details to come!

Succulents

Succulents

I am a succulent

Dying to be revived.

The earth crackles

Like old skin,

Split fingertips,

Until it

Bleeds.

Saturated clouds tease

Pregnant

Rumbling

Grey

Though never rain...

It tortures.

But thank God

That succulents

Were not made to die.

We're designed to thrive.

Lately, I felt a spiritual dryness that I couldn't shake. With the acquisition of a new definition of "sin" (á la winter camp: SIN - S - N = I ) my mistakes burdened me. But I tried too hard to "fix" them on my own, as if I had to be improved, or better, or making progress before I could approach God. In the meantime, I was not seeking Him. 

I was trying to save myself. 

I heard a segment on the radio with Brant Hansen that really hit home. He said, "Do you ever feel like you can't pray because it's been so long since you last talked to God? [yes] Or do you ever feel too guilty for what you've done that you couldn't possibly talk to God? [yes] Where he just feels far away and distant... [yes]" By this time, he had me all ears, "He's not. He's right there with you."

I think that even after we're saved, when we encounter trials and sin in our lives, in our human wisdom, we try to fix it, change it, improve the circumstances. And we forget that no matter how hard we try we still can't save ourselves. Thankfully, we don't have to--that's what Jesus did. So that for all our running, He can be right there with us when we are ready to come back to Him.

This poem began with my dryness, my thirst. But as I wrote it, I started thinking about trials. I don't think God created weak human beings. Humans are resilient, tenacious creatures and I think that even through trials and pain, we were designed to thrive in spite of adversity. Obviously, we cannot do it on our own, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can survive through great things and grow as a result.

"Succulents" by Ali Graney. Used under Creative Commons Attribution license.

Valentine's Squirrels

Yesterday, I was in a happy, cookie-baking, movie-watching lovey-dovey valentines day kind of mood. The day is coming closer!! Valentine's day is one of my favorite holidays and not just because I've "always" had someone to celebrate it with. (If you recall, last year I was single and had a blast with my friends marathoning Disney princess movies.)

The color schemes, sweets, special Valentine's cookies, the cute love songs, all the hearts and doilies and lace! I will be very busy in early February so I was getting a headstart on my Valentine's cookies! What's going on, you ask?

1) Feb 6-10th, I'm visiting Jake in San Diego!
2) Feb 13-16th I'm going to the Passion Conference in Houston!

Of course I am very excited about both trips and you'll be hearing more about these pending adventures very soon! But these adventures do not leave much time for cookie baking or valentine making! So I popped these babies in the freezer to frost later because I'll be taking most of them with me to the Passion conference!

The trouble with long-distance relationships

June 2013; this picture is my favorite <3 td="">

Jake left again for San Diego after church today. When people find out that we're long-distancing it, they always tell me things like, "Wow, that must be so hard." or "I would never be able to do that." as if long-distance relationships are the cause of some unbearable burden. My response usually goes something like, "Yeah, it's hard but we're good communicators and we make it work."

The truth is, long-distance relationships are hard, but not because they require work. Any relationship requires work. They're hard because you're constantly forcing yourselves to say goodbye. At the end of every visit, every break, every skype conversation, every phone call.... The rational part of me knows there will be many good-byes ahead of us; and I can't get hung up over each one.

You'll see him again soon.

I know, but this is my heart speaking--and goodbyes still hard. My throat still clenches, when I watch him drive away. I damn up my tears, priding myself too much on my ability to "keep it all together." But they always come out in the end and this time was no different. You'd think with time and practice, goodbyes would become easier, but I guess there are some things that never change and saying goodbye is one of them.

Gungor Concert

Jake and I saw Gungor perform at club Congress last Thursday night. They were so incredible! I honestly don't know how to describe the experience except in fragments:

an over-packed club * standing room only * tech guys flit acros the stage * the crowd is a tremor of anticipation * openers: loud and bass-y * I'm wishing we weren't so close to the speakers * my heartbeat synchs up with the thud thud thud of the kick * garbled lyrics but I like her moves * then... Gungor!!! * blinding lights blocked by someone's head * insane guitar riffs *crowd whoops * flawless harmonies * synthesizer * "We don't believe in genre." * wailing guitar * a hundred people lost in the pull, the ebb and tide of their music * last song feels as if the world is ending * band members drop out of the instrumental and exit one-by-one * stage goes black * it's...over?? * mass confusion and disorientation * just kidding there's still the encore * "Beautiful Things" * beautiful concert.

I think I just witnessed some of the best Christian musicians in the world.

Words are inadequate.

New Stats

It's been a few weeks since I posted any stats, but here they are!

average bedtime: 12:30 am
brain power: medium-high
energy: medium-low
days until Jake leaves: 2
reading: how to write the winning thesis or dissertation
writing: chapter 1 of my THESIS PROJECT!!!
learning: I am really passionate about the importance of having and knowing one's identity
feeling: bummed about Jake leaving
listening to: Gungor 
highlights: coffee with Kirstie, Maffia/couples' night at the Coffins' (and hanging at IHOP afterwards), Gungor concert, and all the time spent with Jake

Update from Break:

I will have to save the details of my thesis project for another post all on its own. But I can tell you, I am very excited about it as all the pieces start gel-ing together! In other news, it has been an eventful week crammin' in as much time with Jake as possible before he leaves again for San Diego. I'm a little bummed about him leaving again as it's always difficult to say goodbye, but there will be a many more goodbyes that need to be said so I can't let myself get too hung up over it. Plus, I will be seeing him again shortly when I go to visit him on the 6th.

Coffee and Fries

                                             

Keepin it classy at the only place where you can have coffee AND french fries! We heard through Spotify that mcDonalds is giving out free coffee...Say what?? Well, it's true. And what college student doesn't like free stuff (especially free coffee)? We are definitely not breaking any stereotypes here!

Goals > Resolutions

Things are Happenin' in 2014:

• Blog a couple times per week (failing so far, but that's okay!) 
• Edit Gyver's Shack
• Start an IRA 
• Graduate College!
• Possible teaching opportunity at an elementary school
• Take an art class
• Go on a road trip
• Join a soccer league
• Travel: San Diego (Feb), Houston (Feb), Huntsville? (May), San Diego (June), South Tucson? (July), Flagstaff? (July/Aug), Trenton (Sept)

I am a firm believer in "goals are greater than resolutions," so I took some time to jot down a few goals for 2014. It's not a long list and some of these things will be happening without any particularly strenuous effort on my part, but that's okay! Looking at my list, I am already getting the unshakable feeling that 2014 is going to be a grand adventure!

More Winter Camp Pictures

Jumping off Iron Horse

 The above photo was for a photo scavenger hunt. These are all the girls that were in our cabin (and on the trip.) Including staff, there were about fifteen of us in the room, but there was ample space for all of us.

Staffers looking at Katrina's photos

 Meals were "family style" with YL staff serving us our food, freeing us up for conversations with the students. I liked it better than meals at Hume, because you didn't have to deal with that awkward cafeteria-where-do-I-sit feeling. And YL kept a curb on the loud "antics" that frequent Hume's meal times--dares and yelling and rowdy games and whatnot. It was nice! And Rob made a rule that we had to sit by someone different for every meal so we could get to know each other. As a result, the students grew really close, even the newer ones.

Me and Kirstie

All the Staff

Group Photo

Photo credit: Chris O'Neill one of the guys' staffers for the trip. (But I may or may not have stolen half of these pictures from Facebook... Thanks Chris!)

Jam-Packed Winter Camp

It appears that my previous problems with Blogger have been resolved. I don't know what I did but whatever it was fixed it!

This past weekend I went up to Lost Canyon YL Camp in Williams, AZ with the highschool girls and it was such a blast! Two and a half days of intense Young Life fun going to bed way past midnight and waking up at seven; it doesn't get any better than that!

me and the freshies!

The campus was so beautiful! But it was quite cold and there was just a little bit of snow on the ground. It was enough for me though.

A bunch of us girls

The schedule was so tight I hardly had time to pee. Between leader meetings and meals, we sang pop songs, played silly games, danced like crazy, watched funny videos and skits (one of which I acted in!) hung out and talked a LOT. I got to bond with so many of the girls over the course of the weekend. A few of them were unused to what I call "Young Life style" so I got to talk about my experiences with Young Life and the reasons behind what they do.

The Lady Staffers

A lot of great God-talks were happenin' up in Williams this weekend and it was so awesome! I came home and talked it over with Mom and Jake for several hours and I feel that for our first year up, it was a grand success!