Fall 2009, Week One -

Holey donuts, kids. Where to begin...

Okay, so I am taking two classes this semester: 403 & 501. This was NOT the original plan. The ORIGINAL plan was to take ONE class; sorta ease into it. The federal government, however, does not want to fund that sort of plan and demands at least six credit hours to qualify for their loans. SO, what was supposed to be a 501 only schedule became a 501 & 403 schedule.

It's all about the Benjamins, baby.

403 is a class I'm affectionately calling "Kiddie Lit". My class meets Mondays from 4-6 and is taught by Debra Mitts-Smith. Our first class was low-key... no readings due, syllabus walkthrough, small group discussion. During the course of this... well... COURSE, I will write three book reviews, lead a book discussion with a webpage handout, and create a read-alike website (with a group). I am totally pumped to have a published children's author and an elementary school teacher in my group. SCA-ORE, people.

501 is a bit more technical. Taught by Linda Smith, this class was, uh, HARDCORE. We'd already been assigned four readings and people were posting TRULY thoughtful things in the chat while I was all, "Uh, dudes? Who's Bietl?" Yeah. I am much more intimidated by the assignments in this class. Oh, and I need to spend a LOT more time on the Moodle.

How could I have forgotten already that the Moodle is a LIVING DOCUMENT.

In SUPER COOL news, I got word today that I was awarded a grant from the Secretary of State!! According to the website, up to 15 grants are awarded each year to first year library school students. We were supposed to be notified by August 1, but due to funding problems (heh), notifications were withheld. I had all but forgotten about it when a friend "whispered" to me in the text chat, asking if I had gotten a letter. I usually check the mail by that time, but it was raining today. As we were in the middle of 501, I called to my husband and asked him to run and check the mail. He came in hootin' and hollerin' - that experience alone literally made my semester. :D

And here's a statistical anomaly for you - I know *two* other recipients. This is a STATEWIDE application process with literally hundreds of applicants and I know two other award winners... they're in my class. NICE!

So yay for my first week of library school... I promise (basically MYSELF) that I'll post weekly to keep a record of this kooky journey.

Peace out.