Where Did The Semester Go?

Somehow, every semester I end up with the same feeling so many of us are familiar with: where did the last 15 weeks go? (and also) whew, wait a lot has happened at the same time, I'm kind of tired! 
Alas, today rounds out the last week of teaching and finals at UConn but finals week at Providence College is next week. In order to prepare for the grading cave I will be in next week, I decided a few weeks ago that I would treat myself to a well deserved concert in NY tomorrow. And I am sure looking forward to it! None of that guilt to cancel last minute going on around here and I'm proud of myself. 

Here are some noteworthy achievements/happenings of fall 2014:

- I moved, again, to live by myself in Providence/ Pawtucket. And it is glorious. I'm good at this making a house a home thing, it turns out.

- My mother and niece came to visit me in October and it is easily one of my highlights of all time. 

- Taught at Providence College as a special lecturer: Contemporary Political Theory. The school (students, atmosphere, landscape all of it really) reminds me so very much of my alma mater, the University of Dayton. It was a bittersweet thing.

- Taught Black Political Thought at UConn in a very *timely* moment in regards to political resistance and reaction of the people to racial oppression. The students engaged in incredible work together.

- Presented my work and made connections with truly amazing human beings at the National Women's Studies Conference in Puerto Rico. 

- Remained committed to anti-racist, anti-imperial social justice activism in many ways, especially by showing up. Even when you can think of many reasons not to go, it's important to show up. Be there and be present for what you believe in.

- I learned to knit! After some initial frustrations with getting it down, it became such a soothing and meditative hobby. 

- The dissertation remains underway and some group writing and feedback loops are underway for my December Writing Plan. 

When I think through these, I realize how superbly blessed I am. And these aren't even all of them!

Happy winter break!

*As a resource, I always recommend "Every Semester Needs A Plan" and "The Sunday Meeting" by the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity. Productivity tools I could not live without!