Textbook analysis at UT Tyler

As an English Graduate student a large part of what I want my future to include is teaching. I am a self-admitted loud mouth who always has something to say about everything and this includes wanting people to have the best future possible. In my case I take 'best future possible' to mean 'you can understand why rhetoric and writing are important and you can use this skill to go where you want to go in life.' Every student has different needs and so, as a wanna-be-teacher, my interest often turns to subjects like 'teaching with unorthodox materials,' ie: graphic novels, movies, images, etc...

UT Tyler Winter Break? Read a book!

Hiiiii guys! How are you doing? I am a very happy girl today because I finished up my work for this semester, which means no more finals, no more class blogs, no more papers, no more NOTHING for an entire month! Hooray! That means I'm back to the season of Christmas lights, trees, gift shopping, and reading my little tush off. It's been a long time so some of you might not remember that a while back I started my own book blog (www.wishfulinkling.com) , which sadly has been gathering dust for months now because I self-destructed into a tiny little "no writing" zone after the end of last semester trying to manage three blogs and write four papers a week. 

Yeah, nightmares I don't want to relive. BUT! I'm happy to tell you that I'm back, at least for the holidays, and that I would like to share a review for a book you guys might love to read while you too have a month between hectic semesters and may find yourself feeling a little bored. Are you ready? Here goes!

I Like Libraries

I mentioned a few posts back that I also work at the public library and I talked about what we offered along with the summer programming. Fall programming is in full swing and there's some cool stuff that you should know about.

For out high school readers, the library is introducing a Teen Advisory Council and those who participate can earn volunteer hours. Those of you that are in groups like National Honor Society or the International Baccalaureate Program that require community service hours, you can fulfill those here.

After every meeting, there will be a movie matinee at 2:00 PM.  The council meets the first Saturday of every month. The next meeting is on October 5th at 1:00 PM. So you get your volunteer hours and a movie.

Our greatest goal of the library is to get more children reading. For our readers that have families with younger children, we have four different story times. We try to accommodate all kinds of time constraints when it comes to our story times. 

The amount of time a child spends reading books is related to the child's reading level in the fifth grade and growth in reading proficiency from the second to the fifth grade. The case can be made that reading books is a cause, not merely a reflection, of reading proficiency (x).

We also have programming for older children:

Of the three learning activities—reading, studying, and television—only reading was linked to achievement. We found that children who spent time reading for pleasure did better on tests of cognitive achievement (x). 

Since Halloween is a little over a month away, we're doing a costume exchange as well. 

For all our other readers that want to volunteer at the library (who wouldn't?), you can sign up through The City of Tyler. You can help promote literacy, work with cool people and make children happy.

Things in the City of Tyler: Tyler Public Library

Yes, we have a library on campus, in case you still have yet to figure that out.  However, there are students on campus that have not ventured out to the Tyler Public Library. I currently work at the public library, so let me introduce you. If you live within the Tyler city limits, (i.e. you have moved here recently or pay Tyler property taxes*) all the resources are free. Ready for a walk-through?

A Defense of Sci-Fi + Critical Thinking --- PART 2

A Defense of Sci-Fi + Critical Thinking --- PART 2

    So previously Idiscussed a broad idea of ‘what’ Science Fiction can discuss, ie: ‘what is human,’ ‘where are we going as a species,’ etc…

Habits, Practicing Self-Control, and Reading Lists

               

Me! Hey there!

  One of the biggest challenges for myself ( a newly minted Graduate Student ) is learning, and re-learning, better habits.  I have been stuck in a series of what some might call ‘detrimental’ habits over the last year – eating more fast food than home cooked food, waking up later instead of sleeping earlier, etc… These habits are not alien to college/grad-students, but some other habits I have are unique to me.

Decorating Your New Apartment!

   This blog is an extension of the one written by the charming Gabby Cruz called "Apartment Hunting"!

Writing, or … that Stuff I hate Pt. 2

Writing, or … that Stuff I hate Pt. 2

A Novel Idea

   As an English major, one of the things that I encounter very often is people who want to use their immersion in literature to fuel their own writing. This is fine-and-dandy, I love it. It is what *I* want to do with my life, that and teach in a University.

   I think one of the bigger issues people have with writing is that, despite the charm and highlife that comes with the idea of being a writer, the reality is *much* more grueling.

   That book ain’t gonna write itself

Summer Reading List

• The Perks of Being a Wallflower* by Stephen Chbosky
• Dreaming in Chinese** by Deborah Fallows
• The Hobbit*** by J.R.R. Tolkien
• World War Z by Max Brooks
• Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
• The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
• Imagine: How Creativity Works by Jonah Lehrer
• Mission to Paris by Alan Furst

As a self-proclaimed bibliophile, I honestly wish I had more time to read these books. But with college life, I'm lucky if I get enough time to sleep in a night and a weekend not dumped with homework.
With balancing time for classes, homework/study time, work, social life, sleep... I can only hope that I can squeeze in time to just sit, relax and enjoy a good read.

*Re-read. I’ve read it before but since the movie adaptation starring Emma Watson is coming out soon, I just want to read it again. Highly recommended, it’s a great read.

**Incoming freshmen were given this book for their summer read, so Orientation Leaders are also required to read it.

***Re-read but you have to agree... It's a classic and definitely one of my all-time favorites.

Clearly, I'm reading too many books~

Another snippet from one of my professors:
“You should either love it, hate it, or feel nothing for it at all.”

Now in the context of writing, why settle for something mediocre? I understand this. If it isn’t moving you forward and informing you, why do it?

Yes, I understand that life itself is not a zero sum game. That does not change that you have to take the risk. You will be good for nothing if you are too afraid to tune in and stop living in the past, doubting yourself, or visiting your ex’s social networking sites. It is not about losing, but you are never giving yourself the ability to win. Things have changed, and yes, it is frightening, but accept it is happening. This leaves room for those dreams you secretly never thought you would quite make it to. Now is the time to read that book, learn that language, and start telling the truth. Start telling the real true truths that we are afraid of telling ourselves.
I need help sometimes, and that is okay.
I can do this.
I appreciate individuals that put in quality time with me.

A full life will not just fall into our laps. Sometimes “good enough” isn’t “good enough” and we know we can do better. Be real.

“This is your life and it's ending one minute at a time.”
-Fight Club, Chuck Palahniuk


Man alive, I guess I should push forward with it instead of blogging about all the work in my lap.