Hello everyone!
Basically this is what I'm doing with my life: reading about appropriation and art, specifically Shepard Fairey, working, looking for jobs and sleeping, and an occasional date here and there. I refuse to talk about any of my dates on my blog, until further notice. I did encounter a weird feeling today. It was shame, about working at Starbucks. I didn't like the feeling at all. Doug, my former youth group sponsor, comes into my location all the time. But today he brought Lindsay, his daughter, who I used to babysit, and she was just beginning YOU when I was finishing up. I just felt awkward about explaining my life and justifying having a silly job by saying I'm writing my thesis. Reality is: I actually like Starbucks. It certainly does not pay enough and I would like to have a full time job that has really good benefits. But for a part time job, I have a ton of fun and absolutely LOVE the people I work with. I love what I do there. I'm not sure where the feeling came from, but it wasn't good and I'm sure she felt like I didn't want to talk with her and that wasn't the case at all. She's so lovely and has grown up so much. It just reminds me of that Simpsons blurb where Bart is making fun of grad students and Marge disciplines him by saying, "don't make fun of grad students, Bart; they just made a horrible life decision". HAHAHAH. Well, I do know that I've learned a lot about life, careers, relationships, friendships, art and how to be a good student in grad school. And those are all very valuable lessons. Even if I never work at a museum, I do not, nor will I, regret going to grad school.
Thesis is finally going well. I love my topic, hopefully the committee will as well.
Ciao for now darlings.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
new year
It's a new year and I did a cleanse last week - the cabbage soup cleanse. It went alright, I lost 6 or 7 lbs. (I think). I don't have a scale.
I've been working a lot, and working on my thesis topic, outline and all of that stuff.
Here. I found a new website: http://www.happynews.com/
As far as my future career is concerned, I had a second interview with Sysco. I will find out about that in a couple weeks. I also applied for Teach For America, and am very interested in that possibility. I'm actually more excited to hear about that than I am Sysco. Although, if I was offered the Sysco job, I would take it, because it's a good company, and they are good people, and it pays well.
So, I'll keep you updated on the career and thesis fronts and I hope you're all doing well.
!
I've been working a lot, and working on my thesis topic, outline and all of that stuff.
Here. I found a new website: http://www.happynews.com/
As far as my future career is concerned, I had a second interview with Sysco. I will find out about that in a couple weeks. I also applied for Teach For America, and am very interested in that possibility. I'm actually more excited to hear about that than I am Sysco. Although, if I was offered the Sysco job, I would take it, because it's a good company, and they are good people, and it pays well.
So, I'll keep you updated on the career and thesis fronts and I hope you're all doing well.
!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Monday, December 15, 2008
economy ramblings
The economy is on everyone's mind, all the time, every day. What shall we do?
It's interesting and a little depressing to be in the art field at this time, or about to dive into the art field, or whatever. As countless museums seem to be on a hiring freeze, and may be for several months, or even years, what are we, the future Art Historians, or recently graduated Masters of Art History, to do? There are several options: 1. apply to hundreds of jobs and hope that you are brilliant enough to get one over someone who many have their PhD already. 2. start your own gallery or non profit (which seems like a wretched and horrible idea given the state of investors, including art dealers, collectors and the like. 3. continue going to school, racking up more student loans, and somehow hope that the federal financial aid will implode and forget that you owe them tons of money. 4. teach at a community college (not secure, not tenured, and spotty from one semester to another as you are paid by number of classes you teach), but it would be fun. 5. teach public elementary or high school through Teach For America (very selective program that I've heard is hard to get into), and it may be dangerous to teach at inner city high schools. 6. Screw all those ideas and go to nursing school, live with your parents for 1.5 years while you finish that, and then work 3-4 days per week, 10-12 hour shifts and make $25/hour starting, which doesn't include all the overtime you can get.
Hmmmmmmmmm. This is all very compelling. I emailed Metropolitan Community Colleges to find out the "deal" and asked them a bunch of questions. This is what I wrote:
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm very interested in the nursing program. I have a Bachelors of Art in Fine Art from Knox College and I'm finishing my Masters in Art History from UMKC. I have a lot of questions. I also started a program at CMSU in Speech Pathology and did that for 3 semesters. With my Masters in Art History, I will not receive the kind of job security that I desire (especially in this economy) and I have always been interested in the health industry as my mom is disabled with an autoimmune disease and I have spent a great deal of time taking care of her.
Do I need to complete the prerequisites before I apply in January, or could I complete those during the summer semester (I took Psychology as an Undergraduate Student, so I would only need Cell Bio and Anatomy/Physiology)? Is there a payment program for tuition and the program costs? Are there various start semesters for the program, or do all incoming students begin in the summer or fall? Is this a highly competitive program/how likely is a perspective student to be accepted/are there a limited number of open positions in the program?
Thank you so much for your time.
Sincerely,
Sarah Bopp
So, maybe I'll be a nurse? I think I'd make a great nurse! I don't mind being on my feet, and I already wear Danskos. Duh, I'm perfect for it. PLUS, I love the flexibility. I could work 3 days per week, which I would LOVE. I wouldn't want to work with older people, they sort of freak me out. I like kids though, and would love to work at a Children's Hospital, or in Pediatrics. I don't think I'd ever want to work at a Doctor's Office; Hospitals seem more my style. AND, I could live wherever I wanted to. AND, I could move to Scotland someday, they need nurses. Sigh, is this a great idea or what? I hope no one reading this thinks it's a horrible idea.
The other thing, more school = more money. But, I've found that if I were to go to Penn Valley/Longview or one of the Metropolitan Community Colleges, the cost of the prerequisites and the courses plus the program fees is 12,277. I could pay most of my school fees while taking classes. I would have to live for free, or have a roommate. I would have to pay off all of my extraneous debt, which I could definitely pay off by May. I also may have to cut the only luxury I endulge in, cable; and I would have to work my butt off studying. Too bad I don't have some long lost great great aunt that needs me to watch her home for a couple years. Maybe I can find someone that needs me to look over their estate, and my payment of living there would be living there for free. I do NOT want to hold my parents back from moving to Michigan; and Maebe has to come with me wherever I go. Those are my two requirements. I would love to become an RN and move up there to be near them after I'm done or at some point in the future. I do have a feeling that doing this in the state that I'm a resident would be the best and most logical financial decision.
My mind is reeling and I can't wait to hear back from the nursing program to find out more. I will keep you all updated. I do still plan on applying for Teach for America, and seeing how that all pans out. The difference with that option is that I would begin being paid next August, wouldn't have to put off paying off my student loans, and I would have 2 months off every summer. Teachers get worn out, worn down, and my mom/bob keep mentioning how dangerous teaching in inner city schools would be. I refuse to succomb to that paranoia, but I will admit that nursing seems very appealing too. Also, with Teach for America, there is no art teaching program, so I would have to wait two years to do what I really want in that arena.
I'm exausted and have written a ton of rambling information here. Night!
It's interesting and a little depressing to be in the art field at this time, or about to dive into the art field, or whatever. As countless museums seem to be on a hiring freeze, and may be for several months, or even years, what are we, the future Art Historians, or recently graduated Masters of Art History, to do? There are several options: 1. apply to hundreds of jobs and hope that you are brilliant enough to get one over someone who many have their PhD already. 2. start your own gallery or non profit (which seems like a wretched and horrible idea given the state of investors, including art dealers, collectors and the like. 3. continue going to school, racking up more student loans, and somehow hope that the federal financial aid will implode and forget that you owe them tons of money. 4. teach at a community college (not secure, not tenured, and spotty from one semester to another as you are paid by number of classes you teach), but it would be fun. 5. teach public elementary or high school through Teach For America (very selective program that I've heard is hard to get into), and it may be dangerous to teach at inner city high schools. 6. Screw all those ideas and go to nursing school, live with your parents for 1.5 years while you finish that, and then work 3-4 days per week, 10-12 hour shifts and make $25/hour starting, which doesn't include all the overtime you can get.
Hmmmmmmmmm. This is all very compelling. I emailed Metropolitan Community Colleges to find out the "deal" and asked them a bunch of questions. This is what I wrote:
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm very interested in the nursing program. I have a Bachelors of Art in Fine Art from Knox College and I'm finishing my Masters in Art History from UMKC. I have a lot of questions. I also started a program at CMSU in Speech Pathology and did that for 3 semesters. With my Masters in Art History, I will not receive the kind of job security that I desire (especially in this economy) and I have always been interested in the health industry as my mom is disabled with an autoimmune disease and I have spent a great deal of time taking care of her.
Do I need to complete the prerequisites before I apply in January, or could I complete those during the summer semester (I took Psychology as an Undergraduate Student, so I would only need Cell Bio and Anatomy/Physiology)? Is there a payment program for tuition and the program costs? Are there various start semesters for the program, or do all incoming students begin in the summer or fall? Is this a highly competitive program/how likely is a perspective student to be accepted/are there a limited number of open positions in the program?
Thank you so much for your time.
Sincerely,
Sarah Bopp
So, maybe I'll be a nurse? I think I'd make a great nurse! I don't mind being on my feet, and I already wear Danskos. Duh, I'm perfect for it. PLUS, I love the flexibility. I could work 3 days per week, which I would LOVE. I wouldn't want to work with older people, they sort of freak me out. I like kids though, and would love to work at a Children's Hospital, or in Pediatrics. I don't think I'd ever want to work at a Doctor's Office; Hospitals seem more my style. AND, I could live wherever I wanted to. AND, I could move to Scotland someday, they need nurses. Sigh, is this a great idea or what? I hope no one reading this thinks it's a horrible idea.
The other thing, more school = more money. But, I've found that if I were to go to Penn Valley/Longview or one of the Metropolitan Community Colleges, the cost of the prerequisites and the courses plus the program fees is 12,277. I could pay most of my school fees while taking classes. I would have to live for free, or have a roommate. I would have to pay off all of my extraneous debt, which I could definitely pay off by May. I also may have to cut the only luxury I endulge in, cable; and I would have to work my butt off studying. Too bad I don't have some long lost great great aunt that needs me to watch her home for a couple years. Maybe I can find someone that needs me to look over their estate, and my payment of living there would be living there for free. I do NOT want to hold my parents back from moving to Michigan; and Maebe has to come with me wherever I go. Those are my two requirements. I would love to become an RN and move up there to be near them after I'm done or at some point in the future. I do have a feeling that doing this in the state that I'm a resident would be the best and most logical financial decision.
My mind is reeling and I can't wait to hear back from the nursing program to find out more. I will keep you all updated. I do still plan on applying for Teach for America, and seeing how that all pans out. The difference with that option is that I would begin being paid next August, wouldn't have to put off paying off my student loans, and I would have 2 months off every summer. Teachers get worn out, worn down, and my mom/bob keep mentioning how dangerous teaching in inner city schools would be. I refuse to succomb to that paranoia, but I will admit that nursing seems very appealing too. Also, with Teach for America, there is no art teaching program, so I would have to wait two years to do what I really want in that arena.
I'm exausted and have written a ton of rambling information here. Night!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
ramblings of different sorts.
Entry Word: indifferent
Definition: having or showing a lack of interest or concern
Synonyms: apathetic, casual, disinterested, incurious, insouciant, nonchalant, perfunctory, unconcerned, uncurious, uninterested
Related Words: halfhearted, lukewarm; aloof, cold, numb, remote, unemotional; calm, detached, dispassionate; careless, heedless, mindless; impassive, phlegmatic, stoic (or stoical), stolid; lethargic, listless; unawed, undazzled, unimpressed
Near Antonyms: attentive, aware, conscientious, heedful, mindful; caring, sensitive, warmhearted; ardent, fervent, passionate, warm, zealous
Antonyms: concerned, interested
I think people should feel things. Indifference upsets me. That's it.
I had my Christmas with my Bopp family and it was AWESOME! We had a great time, played games, ate yummy Mexican food, talked Politics, played trivia, exchanged gifts, and drank wine. Everyone seemed to love the things I made for them....MITTENS! I'm making mittens for everyone out of recycled wool blankets from thrift stores, and silky fabric for the lining. They're pretty, and soft and warm, and loving. I loved making all of them, and everyone, even Ryan seemed appreciative. I also make "create your own tumblers" from sbux. I printed photos of myself for my stepmoma, dad and grandma, and made a cool one of the S-Bahn in Berlin for Ryan. I hope they love those too.
I received some fantastically wonderful presents! Candles, socks, a gift card to Michaels (which I just used today and bought stationary, notecards, yarn and a calendar that I really wanted). I'm excited about all of that!) a digital picture frame (cool!), a monetary gift from grandmama, some towels, an egg poacher, and I think that's about it.
My friend Lisa just got a job at H&R Block and said I could probably get a job there too. It's full time with benefits so I think I'll go to the job fair on Wednesday to check it out. Maybe while I'm doing that, I can go to school to become a nurse and then have true job security. We'll see how the world turns out for me.
Night! I'm off to bed.
Definition: having or showing a lack of interest or concern
Synonyms: apathetic, casual, disinterested, incurious, insouciant, nonchalant, perfunctory, unconcerned, uncurious, uninterested
Related Words: halfhearted, lukewarm; aloof, cold, numb, remote, unemotional; calm, detached, dispassionate; careless, heedless, mindless; impassive, phlegmatic, stoic (or stoical), stolid; lethargic, listless; unawed, undazzled, unimpressed
Near Antonyms: attentive, aware, conscientious, heedful, mindful; caring, sensitive, warmhearted; ardent, fervent, passionate, warm, zealous
Antonyms: concerned, interested
I think people should feel things. Indifference upsets me. That's it.
I had my Christmas with my Bopp family and it was AWESOME! We had a great time, played games, ate yummy Mexican food, talked Politics, played trivia, exchanged gifts, and drank wine. Everyone seemed to love the things I made for them....MITTENS! I'm making mittens for everyone out of recycled wool blankets from thrift stores, and silky fabric for the lining. They're pretty, and soft and warm, and loving. I loved making all of them, and everyone, even Ryan seemed appreciative. I also make "create your own tumblers" from sbux. I printed photos of myself for my stepmoma, dad and grandma, and made a cool one of the S-Bahn in Berlin for Ryan. I hope they love those too.
I received some fantastically wonderful presents! Candles, socks, a gift card to Michaels (which I just used today and bought stationary, notecards, yarn and a calendar that I really wanted). I'm excited about all of that!) a digital picture frame (cool!), a monetary gift from grandmama, some towels, an egg poacher, and I think that's about it.
My friend Lisa just got a job at H&R Block and said I could probably get a job there too. It's full time with benefits so I think I'll go to the job fair on Wednesday to check it out. Maybe while I'm doing that, I can go to school to become a nurse and then have true job security. We'll see how the world turns out for me.
Night! I'm off to bed.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
recession, holiday gift making, etc.
First of all, I haven't posted, because I can't tell most of the people that are reading it what I've been making, so it's been sort of a bummer. But SOON, soon I can tell everyone, and hopefully people will be delighted with their presents.
So, last week, or whenever whomever announced that we are officially in a recession...didn't we know that in March? I remember listening to NPR around my birthday and hearing an economist talk about recessions/depressions and he said we were headed toward a depression. I'm wondering what took so long to announce it. Were we in denial? Not sure; but I do know that it's very difficult to find a job right now and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to apply with Teach For America and hopefully that will work out. I would absolutely love to be a teacher.
I had a First Fridays party last Friday - and we drank wine, ate hummus and talked, and some of us went to the galleries, and some of us didn't (because it was so cold). I didn't go; I hosted the party and wanted to stay and chat. We had great conversations!
Last night I decorated my tree! It's lovely, and it makes me tremendously happy. I'm having my Christmas party Friday night; it's an Italian Potluck. I'm having people bring a pasta, and a separate sauce and we can mix and match and drink wine and egg nog and be merry and all that. Then Saturday, I'm having my Bopp Family Christmas, and I think my Dad, Step-mom and Grandma Bopp are coming to see my place, and then we're going out to Lee's Summit to my Brother's house to have our celebration. It's going to be a blast.
Another important thing: My auntie Janie is coming today! She will be here for a week and I cannot wait! We're going to craft and have fun, and her and my mom and I are just going to relax and talk; they're the most kindred friends, so I'm sure they'll have fun.
I'm an elf; didn't you know? I've been helping people decorate this year. I decorated my parents house; I helped Marvin and Jeanne Kirby decorate their tree and dining room, and I'm helping Liz tomorrow. I can't wait, I love decorating.
It snowed yesterday and took me almost an hour and a half to get to my loft from Lee's Summit yesterday, and I expected it to take an hour to get to work this morning, but alas, the salt trucks were out all night and the roads are clear - which is good because Aunt Janie is flying in today, and Grandma Bopp is driving in from St. Louis Friday.
I better be off to work. I'll write more later. I figured out what I'm going to write my thesis about!....
Collective Joy and the Carnivalesque.
Love,
Sarah
So, last week, or whenever whomever announced that we are officially in a recession...didn't we know that in March? I remember listening to NPR around my birthday and hearing an economist talk about recessions/depressions and he said we were headed toward a depression. I'm wondering what took so long to announce it. Were we in denial? Not sure; but I do know that it's very difficult to find a job right now and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to apply with Teach For America and hopefully that will work out. I would absolutely love to be a teacher.
I had a First Fridays party last Friday - and we drank wine, ate hummus and talked, and some of us went to the galleries, and some of us didn't (because it was so cold). I didn't go; I hosted the party and wanted to stay and chat. We had great conversations!
Last night I decorated my tree! It's lovely, and it makes me tremendously happy. I'm having my Christmas party Friday night; it's an Italian Potluck. I'm having people bring a pasta, and a separate sauce and we can mix and match and drink wine and egg nog and be merry and all that. Then Saturday, I'm having my Bopp Family Christmas, and I think my Dad, Step-mom and Grandma Bopp are coming to see my place, and then we're going out to Lee's Summit to my Brother's house to have our celebration. It's going to be a blast.
Another important thing: My auntie Janie is coming today! She will be here for a week and I cannot wait! We're going to craft and have fun, and her and my mom and I are just going to relax and talk; they're the most kindred friends, so I'm sure they'll have fun.
I'm an elf; didn't you know? I've been helping people decorate this year. I decorated my parents house; I helped Marvin and Jeanne Kirby decorate their tree and dining room, and I'm helping Liz tomorrow. I can't wait, I love decorating.
It snowed yesterday and took me almost an hour and a half to get to my loft from Lee's Summit yesterday, and I expected it to take an hour to get to work this morning, but alas, the salt trucks were out all night and the roads are clear - which is good because Aunt Janie is flying in today, and Grandma Bopp is driving in from St. Louis Friday.
I better be off to work. I'll write more later. I figured out what I'm going to write my thesis about!....
Collective Joy and the Carnivalesque.
Love,
Sarah
Sunday, November 30, 2008
too much work and feeling gray
It's seemed like a long couple of days; I haven't been getting enough sleep, which is entirely my fault, and wonderful, because I'm spending more time with a person I enjoy.
To continue to update: I worked at Starbucks a lot this last week. I'm not sure how much longer I can handle it. It's so dramatic and energetically oppressive there. I hope something new comes up and I: find a great work environment, make more money, and am comfortable.
Today I felt gray. The idea of gray came from my friend Chad, talking about things being black and gray and the sky and it's been snowing here for the last 36 hours (it feels like). The snow is not piling up or anything, and it was charming at first, but it's just so....cold and wet and I want to have to wear my sunglasses. I felt gray; that was the point of the last couple of sentences. I feel better now. I figured out that Starbucks is wearing on me, no matter how I try to stay out of the drama and craziness going on there, I suppose it's affecting me anyway. I'm also sad I didn't get to go to my dad's side Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday. I was maybe going to get off work early so I could go, but it didn't end up working out that way. I did end up going to Blue Koi and Tootsies with Gregg (my friend) and we had a great time. FYI: warm saki tastes like gasoline; I wouldn't suggest it.
I had the morning off today. I went to Phoenix Herb Company and picked up some more Market Spice (favorite tea!), and some other health teas, and went by Whole Foods, and I got some more of my protein powder and tofu, and we perused the shampoo aisle and smelled lots of them. We came back and made lunch together (steak and garlic bread and we had some wine) and we tried to watch Maltese Falcon but fell asleep and had an impromtu nap. I didn't feel well at all when I woke up so I didn't work this evening for PKD. I'm so glad I had a whole day off; I felt like I wasn't myself part of the day today. But I took a hot bath, finished my audiobook (The Time Traveler's Wife - seriously fantastic and tragic and wonderful), drank some hot tea, made myself soup, started making some more things for Christmas, as well as worked on some other things for Christmas, made spaghetti squash and steamed broccoli and watched 3 episode of The Office that I needed to catch up on. I'm one episode behind in Heroes, so maybe I'll watch that tomorrow night. We'll see.
I have a friend from Y.O.U. coming into town on December 16 and I'm trying to find him and his band a place to play that evening. I also am going to probably have them stay the night here, unless they have a place to stay already. There are 3 guys and a girl in the band, and I'm sure I can find a place for everyone.
So I should be off to sleep. I feel much better but still need some wink-eye.
To continue to update: I worked at Starbucks a lot this last week. I'm not sure how much longer I can handle it. It's so dramatic and energetically oppressive there. I hope something new comes up and I: find a great work environment, make more money, and am comfortable.
Today I felt gray. The idea of gray came from my friend Chad, talking about things being black and gray and the sky and it's been snowing here for the last 36 hours (it feels like). The snow is not piling up or anything, and it was charming at first, but it's just so....cold and wet and I want to have to wear my sunglasses. I felt gray; that was the point of the last couple of sentences. I feel better now. I figured out that Starbucks is wearing on me, no matter how I try to stay out of the drama and craziness going on there, I suppose it's affecting me anyway. I'm also sad I didn't get to go to my dad's side Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday. I was maybe going to get off work early so I could go, but it didn't end up working out that way. I did end up going to Blue Koi and Tootsies with Gregg (my friend) and we had a great time. FYI: warm saki tastes like gasoline; I wouldn't suggest it.
I had the morning off today. I went to Phoenix Herb Company and picked up some more Market Spice (favorite tea!), and some other health teas, and went by Whole Foods, and I got some more of my protein powder and tofu, and we perused the shampoo aisle and smelled lots of them. We came back and made lunch together (steak and garlic bread and we had some wine) and we tried to watch Maltese Falcon but fell asleep and had an impromtu nap. I didn't feel well at all when I woke up so I didn't work this evening for PKD. I'm so glad I had a whole day off; I felt like I wasn't myself part of the day today. But I took a hot bath, finished my audiobook (The Time Traveler's Wife - seriously fantastic and tragic and wonderful), drank some hot tea, made myself soup, started making some more things for Christmas, as well as worked on some other things for Christmas, made spaghetti squash and steamed broccoli and watched 3 episode of The Office that I needed to catch up on. I'm one episode behind in Heroes, so maybe I'll watch that tomorrow night. We'll see.
I have a friend from Y.O.U. coming into town on December 16 and I'm trying to find him and his band a place to play that evening. I also am going to probably have them stay the night here, unless they have a place to stay already. There are 3 guys and a girl in the band, and I'm sure I can find a place for everyone.
So I should be off to sleep. I feel much better but still need some wink-eye.
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