Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Oh Where Have All the LIttle Grey Cells Gone?

One of my New Years Resolutions was to learn something new. This was fairly easy to say because I had made plans during the summer of 2007 to take some on-line courses in order to get re certified in elementary education. I have always been attracted to teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) and have some experience in that area. The program that my hubby found is completely on-line, fully accredited, and not only will certify me in that area (after I take 3 courses) but will also count towards a master's degree, something I would definitely consider. Once I am ready to go back into the professional world of teaching a certification in TESOL (or better yet, a masters) would open a lot of doors for me. My thinking was "Because I have prior experience in this area and did fairly well in college, this shouldn't be too stressful." Plus, while my hubby is away, what better time to "occupy" myself with "higher learning?"

My first class began this month, and I was all proud of myself because I helped some of the other students set up their web pages on Black Board. Last night I started reading the assigned books in order to respond to the discussion question. I have to say, I'm really out of practice. This is the basic course, and I haven't read books with this kind of language since college (which was a "few" years ago.) I finally consented to pulling out our dictionary and looking up practically every other word. Needing consoling I wrote a desperate e-mail to my hubby and went to bed. This morning he responded by saying, "Don't worry, babe. You'll do great. Those books were just written by a bunch of liberal, draft-dodging professors who want to show off how smart they are." Comforting, very comforting. He's been watching CNN too much, but he did make me laugh.

Nevertheless, if I'm not heard from for awhile it's only because I'm reading the dictionary trying to figure out what these people are really trying to say.

I must clarify one thing about this post. Those of you who know me personally probably know that I did not mean to insult any professors. My husband and I have total respect for those who teach higher education and are brilliant enough to write books at that level. Furthermore, my husband would probably shoot me (not literally since he does presently carry a gun everywhere he goes) if he knew I had quoted him on my blog saying that. We have many friends who are professors who we dearly love. SORRY Monica, Tad, Andrew, and the many other who I may have unintentionally insulted.
Also, after getting some sleep, I realized that my main problem was that I had tried reading my books after 10 p.m. I turn into a pumpkin at that hour. SIGH! I'm not as young as I wish I was.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

i commend you for your efforts. going back is one thing that does not appeal to me. although i might enjoy a couple of art classes just for the fun of it. i really cant think of anything i want to go back and learn. i just want to know what i can do with the knowledge and experience that i already possess.

Stephanie Kay said...

Every once in a while I think it would be fun to take a class. Then the reality of reading books, homework, writing papers sinks in and I decide it's just not something I want to do that bad. College was a lot of fun (too much at times) but I don't think I'm ready to go back to school.

All that to say, Kudos to for being willing to try!!

Tad and Monica said...

Ahem....I did NOT dodge the draft.
Liberally,
Monica :)

Sarah said...

I'm so sorry, Monica, and the many others I may have insulted!!! Not that being liberal or a draft dodger are a bad thing either...

Unknown said...

oh you are so controversial! I love it! The thing about having a blog is you have to just put it out there - or not - there is no half way! Lol. And yes, after 10 PM is bad, very bad. But Nathan loves your blog so I would say you are doing good!!

Tad and Monica said...

I was totally NOT offended, as that statement is entirely too true about some of my colleagues. :)

Sarah said...

Oh, I knew I didn't insult you (hopefully made you laugh), but on the slight chance that any of my current professors saw it, I just wanted to clarify. My husband keeps on reminding me that all things are forever on the internet. :)

Sarah and Jack said...

Something really did happen to my memory once I got pregnant with Jack. I swear, I lost a little brain power. Oy.