Saturday, November 6, 2010

Too much homework and no time for my blog

I have to admit Twitter is so addicting.  I seem to go to Twitter more and more often to see what my gardening buddies around the country, and sometimes the world, are tweeting about.  It's just so freakin' fast and easy to tweet.  I'm neglecting my blog because of the Twitter attraction and because of all my homework!  With my two classes at NYBG right now, I have so much homework.  I'm taking Landscape Design history and also Graphics 1, and I love them both so much.  I am learning more than I ever imagined, but boy, is there a learning curve!  Especially in Graphics.  We are learning to draft landscape plans, along with drawing symbols and lettering and learning how to measure with architect's and engineer's rulers and compasses (when was the last time you used one of those?  for me, it was 10th grade, a few years ago...), none of which have I ever even attempted.  I feel like, with the slightest effort, I will just sink like a rock in that class, never to surface.  It is a gargantuan effort to just survive and get all the work done, and I feel like my work is sub-par at best.  But my teacher says effort is what counts, and boy, can I give him effort.  Thank God for effort.  Every project we take home, and every one in class, takes me probably 3x the time they should take, I'm sure.  Every line has to be measured absolutely correctly, or the whole plan is off, and unlike in my everyday gardening, fudging it a little is not going to fly.  My middle child, the ten year old, wants to go rock climbing and to the pottery place today, and I had to tell him I can't go til I get a huge chunk (probably 3-4 hours at least) of my h/w done.  He said, "mom, why don't you do that stuff during the week when we're in school?"...good point, however, I told him that mommy did 3 hours yesterday and 4 hours on Thursday and h/w still isn't done.  He looked at me like I was nuts.  And then there's history...I love my Landscape Design history class, let's start there.  It is just incredibly fascinating to learn about landscape design theory all the way back to BCE (Before Common Era, something else new I learned, it's no longer PC to say BC -- who knew?).  We've learned about Medieval gardens, Italian, French and English gardens, and Thomas Jefferson (he's my favorite, what a multi-faceted guy),  just to highlight some of what we've covered.  But we have to write four papers -- we've done three so far.  And I love to write, but it's been a long, long time since I have actually researched in the library (and then there's the web of course -- it used to be so much simpler to just hit the library) or written a bibliography.  Another huge learning (or remembering) curve.  Now we have one more paper and then our final.

I sound like a whiner I know.  I'm just venting because I am actually loving my classes.  My teachers are so interesting, knowledgeable and passionate, and I'm meeting people from all kinds of backgrounds and who are all ages, from all over the NY/NJ/CT tri-state area.  I love it!

I just have to get off this blog and go hit the drafting table.  My husband just walked by and saw me on the computer and gave me one of his famous "looks".  I know that "look"...he's wondering what the heck I am doing writing when I should be drafting.  He knows me so well...so so annoying.

7 comments:

  1. Good for you for taking classes! I just completed my Horticulture degree at Farmingdale College on Long Island. The homework was intense, but so worth it! Soon you will be drafting quickly and with no problems, I'm sure.

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  2. Thanks for the encouragement, Kate! It only took me 12 hours to finish my graphics h/w...it is so tedious because every angle and line have to be perfect or the whole thing is off, but I am learning SO much. I'm hoping my final project won't take twice that time :). Good for you that you got your hort degree. Maybe we can get together sometime and talk plants!

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  3. I completely understand too, I just finished my Masters degree this summer. It took me four years and it was life consuming! I have a long list of things that I've put off over the last four years that I'm starting to work on now that the gardening season is done here. Good for you!!

    Just checking out the other newbies on Blotanical, I'm new there too.
    Amy

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  4. Your very hard work will pay off in the long run. I was nearly 40 when I returned to school to work on my Master's in English. It was just so hard. I loved the literature and the research and the writing, but it was just so hard. I cried--a lot. It took me five years to finally graduate. I did the course work in 2 years, but studying for the comprehensive exams took time. I needed cataract surgery, my dad had bi-pass surgery, but I knew that I had to pass the exams, and I finally did. Seventeen years later I have the best job in the world, teaching college freshmen--18 year olds just starting their adult life. So your hard work will pay off and you will have a very exciting, fulfilling career doing what you love. Have faith in yourself and keep up the good work. ann

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  5. Thank you Ann for your encouragement! I bet teaching college freshmen is so rewarding. Wow, good for you! I feel like crying, a lot, these days, so I can relate to how you felt. I am so impressed that you got your Master's and followed your dream.

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  6. Cindy, I am impressed with your hard work. It is not easy returning to school with family (and some age). Thank you for your kind words. I just wanted to confirm that tears and whining are acceptable. Keep smiling. ann

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  7. My h/w for graphics this week is only taking me half the time, so I guess that's progress! But I still have my final design project looming and one more paper for my history class and then that final. But I can't wait for December 1 because it will all be over until my next class starts in January...and then it's celebrating for me! The December holiday madness will seem like nothing once my classes are all over!

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