From the Window to the Doorway
Having one of those not-knowing-where-to-start blog days. I’ll start at the beginning, and then not really finish anything because I’m tired and it’s time to go to sleep.
Had “New TA Orientation” at the Department this morning which wasn’t much about TAing and was a lot about the professors we’re TAing for sharing their teaching experiences with the new professors. Not much to protest about, it was interesting to listen to and sort of helped put my mind in the framework of what Linguistics 1 is really going to be about. Lots of actual useful information about the types of students, material that is always hard to teach, who to expect to preform well, etc, etc. General goodwill for all.
Followed by “Department Orientation” which wasn’t much new news at all, and rather similar to the graduate student introduction-type day we had in March after we’d all been accepted but before we all committed to coming to UCD. A little more frivolous this time, very amusing, and very jovial. Plus lunch was provided. Anyway, general got to catch up with some other folks, and a good time was had.
Met with the instructor I’m TAing for and my co-TA for this quarter. Co-TA is very nice, professor is very nice, and everyone is twice as organized and twice as well prepared as I was fearing. Not many frets over how TAing is going to go now, as several important things were discovered. First, turns out the sessions aren’t mandatory. Everyone who is there either wants to come, or needs help, both of which are great. Second, the professor’s syllabus lists out exactly what it is the students will expect we’re discussing in sections. Third, the class is rather hard, and the sections realistically will be all problem sets and very little “discussion” or “lecture”. And lastly, the department and the internet are full of wonderful resources for problem sets, and I (lucky me!) even get the answer keys. All I have to be is not boring-as-hell or needlessly confusing, and todo es bueno.
Came home, crashed out a bit, got lots loaded into my calendar (TA stuff mostly) and even put a little light reading under my belt. I got the books for LIN 1 from the professor (another bonus: TAs get those class books for free and can even keep them…) so I thought I’d start putting a dent in the first weeks assigned readings. It’s actually serving to excite me about some of the fundamentals and hows-and-whys of linguistics that got me into the major in the first place. It’s turning out to be a really nice refresher course!
Had a nice hang out with Ben and Maya, possibly my favorite Davisites. Taught Maya cribbage, had lots of tea, and finally got to try out our hookah! Very enjoyable, and rather relaxing. Tomorrow is our last big day off — class doesn’t start till Thursday, and it’s certainly felt like I’ve had a whole weeks worth of stimulation already. Big plans in the works though — pumpkin bread perhaps, and laundry! And perhaps a bit more LIN 1 reading. Phew. I’m really raring to start class though. I’ve gotten all hopped up on orientations and I’m ready to go give my best and all that, tut tut, cheerio, etc.