Work, Work, Work, Work, Work

For all those of you who wonder what I do, here's a taste of my week. Today I had to read four articles about social movements, write a 2 page single-spaced paper (with an argument) and lead a 2.5 hour graduate seminar. I also had to TA and proctor a quiz immediately prior. After I got out of my class I had to read over a 23 page strategic paper I've helped to draft accompanied by at least half that many pages in instructor feedback within 2 hours before an 1.5 hour meeting at 8pm. My workday was approximately 12 hours long.

But it gets better! For the remainder of the week I have to finalize the event planning for the departmental holiday party, rewrite a section of the strategic document by Wednesday at noon, continue working on the draft with the group through Friday, grade approximately 60 undergraduate papers by Friday, pull together an annotated syllabus by Thursday for a course that I don't really know what its about yet, and come up with a 30 minute filmed presentation to give on Thursday for that same course, topic undetermined as of tonight.

But it doesn't end there. I could go on to talk about all the work that remains after these tasks are completed, but I don't want to raise the stress level of this blog too much. I'm trying not to think about the weeks to come until I've finished this one.

One thing I am looking forward to, though, is a two-week stint in New Orleans I'll be doing this January volunteering for an organization called Lower Nine (doing reconstruction work -- yes, there's still lots of work to be done). That's right, I'll get to take out all my pent up aggression with some good old fashioned manual labor -- I can't wait to sink a hammer into my first wall. It will also be my first time in the South, and my first time traveling alone. I think in addition to helping other folks its going to do me a world of good. Help me get a change of scenery, a change of pace, and give me some time to think and put things in perspective. It will also be nice to have an 8 hour work day as opposed to 12

In the meantime, though, wish me luck in getting through these last few weeks of the semester. You should also feel free to send me wine, fancy cheese, and/or take a stack of student papers off of my hands.