Virtual classrooms, bio breaks and brownies!

This week and last have been cruising by. It seriously feels like midterms already, but it's just the SECOND WEEK (well, kinda going on the third I guess) of classes. Ayi ayi ayi....

Because of the "snow storm" (we only got an inch in Philly and it has since melted. LAME.) on Monday, our professor stayed at home in New York City while most of us gathered in the classroom for a virtual class. It was my first experience and I kind of hope it is the last! She could barely hear us on the microphone so we had to walk over to the camera and stand in front of it if we wanted to respond. A bit awkward and also not very encouraging for participation. However, we made it work and I think all of us will look forward to seeing our professor in person for next class and appreciate her presence even more.

On Tuesday, my noon class ("Self, Culture and Cognitive Development") was cancelled because of transportation issues, which meant I had extra time to get all my reading done and even start on next week's reading. AMAZING. I made the mistake of sitting by the fire in the graduate center to read "Foundations of Qualitative Research" for my Qualitative Modes if Inquiry class and let's just say...it is not the ideal location for someone who is reading about the history of qualitative research.

Thankfully, I had my "Developmental Theories and Applications with Children" class to look forward to. Dr. Fantuzzo is an enthusiastic and fun professor and I'm already super excited for the class. We have placements in local schools and observe/tutor a child in early childhood (pre-k to third grade). I cannot wait to be around kids again. I always dream about my students in Guatemala, Honduras, Korea, etc and I miss them so much. I'll be with a kindergarten class. :)

Another great part of Dr. Fantuzzo's classes are that he believes in keeping our blood sugar levels up by providing snacks. We trade off and pair up with others and each bring in food twice during the semester. The class is from 4-7pm so...it is absolutely necessary. He also calls bathroom breaks "bio breaks" because it is our natural biological need to use the restroom.

For the class, we spent the most time eating and also doing personal introductions. We each prepared a powerpoint with one slide of only pictures that we would share with the class about who we are and why we are in the class. As Dr. Fantuzzo said, it changed the class from being just faces and names to real people with experiences and lives. It was such a nice way to learn about my classmates. There are sixteen of us in total and six of us also took the early childhood development class in the Fall.


The admissions office has been a bit hectic lately too because of everyone's wonderful applications! We are getting a lot of questions about materials being received, which the common response is "we are processing the materials and will update your online checklist as soon as we can." Just remember--I'm the one who helps to "process" your materials aka I open the transcript/TOEFL/etc, scan them, save them to the computer in your individual folder, then put them into this big cart of other materials (in alphabetical order) and then when your folder gets a label on it, we go back into the big cart and find anything with your name on it. Whew! It's a process. A lot of paper cuts. So, patience! But please do call if you have questions or are worried about something in particular.

On that note...I need to get in my 8.5 hours of sleep.

How do you eat a chocolate elephant?

Before I start with the four classes I attended these past two days, I want to recap the few days of "freedom" before the semester officially started.

Andrea (an IEDP buddy) had also arrived a bit early from break to get organized before classes started so we actually had a chance to hang out! We even *gasp* went into Center City on Sunday which isn't really  THAT far but it just feels far because we can't just say "hey, let's get a coffee in Center City." Anyway, off we went to explore Reading Terminal Market, which has a lot of specialty shops, all of which were out of our budget. Oh well, we still enjoyed it and went to find noodles. On a cold day, there is nothing like a big soup of vegetable and egg noodles for $5.75 from Hand-drawn Noodle House.

After, we walked the my old stomping grounds---Van Pelt Library. It had been so long, yet it felt just like yesterday...The clocks still weren't fixed and the guards still insisted on everyone opening their bags to see if you had stolen books. People fail to mention that grad school doesn't start on the first day of classes--it starts when you get your readings for the first day of classes. However, you must be careful and make sure the readings you diligently start on don't end up being reassigned for another week or *another gasp* eliminated. After we welcomed another IEDPer back by picking her up at the bus stop in Center City (twice in one day!) and then "helping" her settle-in aka drink wine and chat about our breaks/classes/life.

Monday and Tuesday I was at the admissions desk processing applications aka filing. Wednesday was my last first day of grad school with Indigenous Education and Language Revitalization with Dr. Nancy Hornberger. She was recommended to me, but I was not sure since I wanted to shop a bit before settling on classes. It was a small class (11 students I believe) with a lot of variation among departments. She takes a very flexible approach, focusing class purely on discussions with just two sorta small assignments.

After, I had Curriculum and Pedagogy in International Contexts with Dr. GK from IEDP. I had been really looking forward to this class because I have already done a lot of my own curriculum design and we actually work with organizations abroad to design curriculum/teacher resources/teacher development for them. Exactly what I would love to be doing in the future (among my many loves!). However, it will be quite different because I'm used to planning for my kids and not for teachers, and also used to seeing how it works and tweeking depending on what works/doesn't work. Still, I decided I would stick to the class even though it will be quite demanding.

Today I had my required-for-IEDP course, Fieldwork/Proseminar with all my cohort members. It was so great to see everyone and to hear about what they are presenting at the Comparative and International Educational Society (CIES) conference in March. I had too much going on at the time and anticipated that this would be an extra busy semester, so I did not submit a proposal back in early December. I will hopefully be attending, but we'll see. We did a fun exercise with these (gross) gummy cubes and tooth-picks and had ten minutes to build the largest tower possible. Let's just say, it was all about the lesson, not the product. Our cohort of 23 ended up in 3 groups, two small and one large. The lesson connected to our future group-work, with the main takeaways being: communicate, have a plan, listen, think outside of the box, be aware of everyone's strengths and weaknesses, designate roles, etc. This semester is ALL about group work! Seriously, all of my classes so far have group or pair-work for the semester. I enjoy it, but sometimes it can get frustrating and also time-consuming.

A few of us rushed from the education building to another one to attend Program Evaluation. I had heard good things about it from someone in last year's cohort, but it definitely is catered to Social Work students who are already placed in internships. The professor, Kim Nieves, was super energetic and great, but it is not ideal for those without a placement. I'm going to keep an open mind and wait until I attend all the classes I'm interested in before I commit, which is quite hard because already there are group projects starting! Craziness. I left feeling overwhelmed, but there's a long weekend to look forward to and other classes to shop.

SO, back to the title: How do you eat a chocolate elephant? One piece at a time! I must remember that this semester, although I kind of feel like I'm choking on the whole thing at the moment. 

"May the odds ever be in your favor"

A new year. A new semester. For many of us at GSE, it is also the LAST semester...and it will probably feel a bit like The Hunger Games, minus the killing-each-other. Already I have 6 chapters to skim, a 244-page reading and four other readings which I'm scared to open. Classes start on January 14th aka the best time of the year---SHOPPING FOR CLASSES! I once shopped (aka attended to see if I would like the class) twelve classes in one semester. This semester, I'll just shop five and have to decide which one to cut, but I may tag along to some friend's classes that sound interesting too.

Of course, the IEDP crowd has been all over the globe (Costa Rica, Europe, Mexico, South Korea, India..I should stop because I'm getting jealous!). I just wish I could say the same for me. My route was: Philly--NYC--VT--CT--FL--Philly. Family, friends and more family! In New York I saw my sister and grandmother, attending a wonderful Christmas jazz performance at the Rose Theater in Lincoln Center. Then we had noche buena (x-mas eve) and the traditional Puerto Rican festivities of pernil (pork), pasteles, and coquito (amazing coconut "egg nogg" but sooo much better). My sister and I drove up on the 24th to Vermont where I got to reunite with my kitties! And what a reunion we had! They enjoyed their (thrift store) gift thoroughly. 

AWW! True Vermonter-kitties!

Then I spent New Years in Eastern Connecticut with some friends before flying to Northern Florida. They had unseasonably warm weather, which meant I actually had some beach time since it was 80F degrees! Amazing. Usually it is only 60sF during this time. Then it got cold (50sF), but I definitely soaked up the Vitamin D while I could! 

A wonderful IEDPer offered to pick me up from the airport, which resulted in a "scenic ride" on our way to Trader Joe's. Philly and the confusing directions/roads/one-ways! Still--I like Philly more every time I come back to it.

And now...it is back to work...Already I have tons on my to-do list and reading-list, but at least we are already "in the groove" a little  so I hope to be REALLY on top of things. Fingers-crossed!

I'll be sure to give an update about the first day of classes (Indigenous Education and Language and Curriculum and Pedagogy in International Contexts) on Wednesday! One thing I am looking forward to, besides shopping for classes--SEEING ALL THE IEDPers!! 

Also, please send me some questions! You can do it via email or comment on the blog. I know people are reading it (and from where you are, muhaha), so please do not be shy. 

Quirks and strange library encounters

I have now spent over 12 hours in the Van Pelt library working on my early childhood development final paper, which is being edited by my trusty friend at the moment. Given my bit of "free" time and the caffeine high from my third cup of coffee, I feel I must share with everyone some moments and quirks of the library, given my semester-long dedication to the fifth floor computer lab.

1. WHAT is this doing in the women's restroom? The first time I saw it, I wanted to pull it, of course. However, after many furtive observations, I realized that it is not even hooked in anymore. Then why is it still there? To remind us of potential attacks while in the restroom?
2. Accidental Footsies: There are sometimes things under the computer lab desks like cords and what-not so I never think much of it when I touch something while stretching out. However, there are a few times when I hit something, and then hit it again only to realize it is someone's FOOT. Thankfully, these desks are rather well secluded from others, so both parties may avoid awkwardness.
3. Eating Rules: Everyone eats in the library, everywhere. There may be signs, but no one cares and no one should as long as you obey the unsaid rule: do not bring delicious smelling food. Like this guy: (Sidenote: that's a Ginger Brew, not beer)

 4. I know it is finals people, but THAT IS NO EXCUSE NOT TO SHOWER.
5. Why do clocks in old libraries all have different times or just not work at all, like this one?

 

6. This was taken on the fifth floor. So...WHY does it exist?? I'm so confused....


7. Carrels: No one seems to know what they are. They are just fancy names for personal desks in the library. I have one on the third floor where I leave all my books, and since they are checked out to the carrell and not me, there's NO expiration date. HOW AMAZING. However, that means I often am running from the 5th floor to the 3rd so I can get my books.

However, after a long day at the library plowing through a literature review, you do kinda feel like a rock star once you get it done.

My second home

Santa, DeStress and how-will-I-get-it-all-done faces...

 Finals have arrived.

What do I have to do, you may ask?

ED514: Reflection paper (7-9 double spaced)--Due Thurs
ED695: Policy Brief Proposal (400 words)--Due Thurs
ED533: Inquiry Project Literacy Curriculum (maybe it'll be 50 pages...?)--Due Thursday
ED545: Early Childhood Development Literature Review (10-12 single spaced)--Due Friday
ED667: Stats Exam--12/16

Comparatively, I actually don't have THAT much...but they are in progress and still require a lot of dedication. I'm keeping track of my library hours so I'll share those at the end of the week. But...There's DESTRESS WEEK at GSE.

 Here's a "Applied Research Methods to Inform Policy and Practice" group studying for their exam which they have today. Look at us IEDPers GOOO...





Of course, no finals could take place without a visit from Santa! Dani had a "Mingle and Jingle" holiday party on Saturday night and a few of us stopped by, despite the disgusting windy/rainy/cold weather. However, it was an early night because of all the work we have to get done.

Here is an IEDP group shot. We're hanging in there...somehow. By the end of the week, I think we will all be grateful for a LONG break, at least until Spring Semester begins on January 14th. 

Now, I have to get to my post at the GSE Admissions desk and somehow, just somehow, get everything done by Friday. It will get done, because it MUST get done! 

 

Ways to kill time when you're sick of reading in the library and have a class in an hour

1. Read a fellow IEDPer's blog. (So funny.)
2. Complete course evaluations for the semester.
3. Check flights.
4. Download all assignments from Canvas.
5. Eat.
6. Watch videos of cute babies on facebook.
7. Post cute baby videos on friends' facebooks.
8. Write a blog about how to kill time, while killing time.
9. Organize all your papers that are falling out of your notebook.
10. Chair yoga.
11. Catch up on emails.
12. Schedule out your entire week in your planner, mentally including showers and cooking.
13. Open up all reading assignments to see which is the most appealing. Read the first page. Resume procrastination.
14. Casually skim through Bali: A Paradise Created while walking from the restroom and then get nostalgic and look at old photos. 
15. Fuss with photos on blog for 10 minutes.
16. Realize that you're paying way too much to spend an hour killing time, and GET BACK TO WORK.

The final sprint!

Before Thanksgiving break, we were all anxiously waiting for a few days of family time and rest before gearing up for the final sprint. However, we have returned to campus and are busier than before. My Thanksgiving involved driving up to Vermont on Wednesday night during a snowstorm, going 25 mph at times on the highway. But Vermonters are hardy and I made it safely home...at 2am. But I was able to enjoy the foot of snow outside while I sat by the fire with my cat and drank tea. Well worth the drive. 

The next two weeks will be BEYOND hectic. Finals at GSE usually just consist of final papers/projects/assignments and some short class presentation. I do have an actual multiple choice exam for my statistics course, which worries me MORE than the other assignments actually. Since I went to Smith College, I am used to finals being a ton of writing and editing and 14 hours spent in the library typing and drinking coffee. I believe I only had one or two self-scheduled exam during my time there. However, there are a few things coming up as well, like a Hot Cocoa Break tomorrow (who says 'no' to cocoa at 7pm?) and some secret santas and the like.

Finals, or grad school in general, can be a stressful time. There is a 24 hour hotline for Penn students who need to talk with someone when things get too overwhelming and CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) I'm sure will be accommodating as more students drop into their offices. Self-care is vital for life and also for stressful periods such as grad school. Plus THE END OF THE SEMESTER IS NEAR! It ends up boiling down to two more weeks (yikes!) and somehow...everything will get done. 

Enough blogging for me! Back to work!