Arriving Into the World
Look at this evening sky from earlier today. Absolutely gorgeous, unedited, could have probably been a little more vivid had I decided to amplify certain colors with contrast & shade editing--but no, I've left it so that this picture of quintessential California can remind us of how we can romanticize our realities.
I mean, California's a great place but it's never been perfect.
Yesterday I went to a panel on the similarities between Executive Order 9066 and the political climate that created the Muslim Ban. I listened to a brief summary on the history of solidarity between the Japanese and Muslim communities after 9/11 and in remembrance of Japanese internment camps.
What was noted there should be noted here: engage in civil disobedience, constantly question authority--because respecting authority means questioning it constantly to ensure that it is being used properly and without abuse of power.
Recently I've been trying to navigate the world regarding post-graduation plans. While I'm not necessarily prepared (as are most other students, I imagine), I have at least some goals that could outline the next year for me or so.
An immediate concern would be to learn how to drive, mostly due to practical concerns as well as the fact that, while I am terrified, it needs to be established sooner or later. I would want to be able to volunteer/work, but I would need to learn this skill first.
Speaking of skillsets--wanted to volunteer at the library (any library, really) and shadow/learn how librarian systems work in their constantly updating world. I went to a Geisel workshop earlier on introductions to citation management, and I think I'm going to practice using Zotero in order to be able to use it as a research tool in the future (primarily with writing! And maybe writing papers for fun!)
A more loose concern would be for me to start managing my credit, as I'm practically nonexistent in the world. It coincides with getting a job really, as a means of doing something with my salary, so I would like to practice budgeting. To help me get started on that, I downloaded Fortune City, a new app from the same company that does Walkr & Plant Nanny (two of my favorite non-social media apps). The interface is a bit confusing regarding what I can and cannot do, but I think a solid and more thorough FAQ could fix that.
Personally, more immediate goals would be to adjust my writing and fix it according to what I need to improve on as a writer. That means more interactive scenes (as noted by Anna, thanks!), shifts in tone, controlling repetitive language, solidifying worldbuilding--it's a long way to go, but I've got several projects in mind to help me work towards that.
Another summer goal would be to scrapbook more! Isn't that always a goal, huh. I've got March 2016-2017 to be working on, and I would like to scrapbook March 2016-June 2016 before I print out the next batch of photos.
Yesterday's selfies. I think I'm very fond of this photobooth style format,
especially for scrapbooking. Also need to get used to fixing coloring
with photo editing--as we all know, brown skin doesn't show up well
unless otherwise edited, so that's something I constantly have to look out for.
I like to think I'm more on-track to feeling more like an adult. Of course, an adult is really only a conglomeration of experiences, so the more I get used to this system of life management, the more I'll feel like I'm handling everything.
One thing that I am 100% improving on is going to office hours. I've been regularly attending office hours for two of my professors, and honestly it's been an absolute joy. I can discuss writing and current events and professors are wonderful to get to know behind-the-scenes; they get just as passionate about subjects as we do, but on a more academic level. A part of me wants to think that these two professors are just very easy to talk to, but I think it's my comfort level with me being a fourth year and having a minor wealth of knowledge that gives me a better focus. I know where I'm coming from, I know where I'm going, and I know that's why I have a better handling on my academic career.
It is odd that during my second-to-last quarter at school, I'm finally keeping up with all my readings. College is absolutely vital in that respect; I've figured out so much of my own personal pacing, and it's helping me to better manage myself as a person within the context of a very, very complex world.
Yours Sincerely,
Dianne
