The English Department Social

Photos Courtesy of  Carlen Donovan

As part of my creative writing class, extra credit was offered to attend the English Department Meet and Greet. Heck yes, I'll take a free assignment or absence! That's just enough to get a long weekend if I need it. I even skipped one of my easier classes for it.

The party was in the LA student lounge/reading room. It was absolutely packed. I was glad to get there early. Professors had baked goods (or at least picked them up from Fred Meyer) and there was a raffle for bookstore gift cards. Students slowly filtered in as time wore on; that girl from my german class, two of my employees from distance learning, the guy who does the movie reviews on the local channel, the guy with the long hair that I saw at the quad concerts.

Everyone was very friendly. Writer students. It was a room full of eyes. Lots of observation. Lots of talking. The professors were milling about as well. Susan Goslee was in charge of coordinating the event. She got an excellent turn out. She had provided students with writing/talking prompts like "What sort of school uniforms would you implement at ISU?" or "Best movie adapted from a book."  I also met all of the Donovans, Carlen and Will and their adorable son. Carlen Donovan roved around getting photos of the event.

I made a few new acquaintances. I had an excellent brownie. I didn't win a raffle. But I did enjoy watching and talking with other students.

XO, Nanette
PS. Going to the Volleyball game this weekend at Reed Gym. Starts at 2:00p.m. Maybe I'll see you there?

First Day Of School... Side A

Normally, as a music major, the piece of paper in my planner would have between eight and ten classes listed and it would barely equate to 13 or 14 credits. This semester, I feel like a more normal student with my mere six classes.

Today was Creative Writing Workshop with Ms. Goslee. Now, she made it very clear that whatever happens in class, stays in class (very much so like Vegas). So I can't divulge too much about what goes on in there, but I will certainly say it's a classroom full of very interesting characters. The mom, the accountant, the handful of english majors that haven't decided to seek a more cash oriented degree, that girl with the emo hair and the skinny jeans, the overeager, but I'll tell you what's missing... the apathetic. It's absolutely lovely to have a class that everyone seems invested in. This isn't a prerequisite. This isn't a goal class. It's a collection of interesting people with interesting stories (I hope).

Great Aunt Loma - Look at those curls!

Ms. Goslee is chipper and fun. But firstly, I noticed her very curly and playful hair. She is humorous. She is definitely clever. Today during class I noticed a man through the window in the door going into his office, another English professor I assume. He sports the same curly hair. And Ted, an English grad student friend of mine, also sports the same natural perm. I can't help but be led to the conclusion that their brain is so crazy, so full of ideas and so creative that their hair is charged by the rapid electricity of constant thought.

It was a great 50 minutes. Now, let's get serious, Nanette. You WILL go to class. You WILL be prepared. You WILL NOT get lazy or procrastinate-y or excuse-y. You will be curly headed and full of creativity. And THAT is the bottom line!

How was yours? Do you have any goals for yourself this semester?


XO, Nanette