Stephanie's Journal

I haven't posted much lately -- I've been getting ready for next semester and I just generally haven't felt very communicative lately -- but here's an update: 

It was a good Christmas, a little rushed, but still good.  Last night I watched Little Miss Sunshine.  Good movie, but it made me cry in spots.  For the record, Steve Carrell is brilliant.  My sister and I also saw Night at the Museum -- I give it a B-/C+.  There were parts that were good, but more spots where they really dropped the ball on the story.  Next movie I'm seeing is The Good Shepherd.  It's actually about my thesis topic.  Always nice to have a little inspiration. 

Today was pretty productive cleaning-wise.  Looking at the pile of dvds on the floor, I'm realizing how badly I need media storage.  Ah, well, you all know how much I enjoy organizing gadgets.  Sounds like a job for my label maker!  Oh, and I hit my head while moving some box springs today so I'm a little bit bruised and headache-y.  I also signed up for a multitude of professional/historical organizatiions.  I'm now a member of: The OSU Alumni Association, the Ohio Historical Society, the American Historical Association, and the American Library Association.  Still toying with joining the Society of American Archivists.  It might be more well-rounded to join a different type of group.  :)

I'm doing the usual New Year's life reassessment and, surprisingly, I'm relatively happy, although my list of things to do this year is still pretty long. 

My classes start Monday ,and I'm torn between enjoying my time off and wanting this portion of the program done.  The classes look pretty interesting too.  We'll see how the teaching goes.  :)

Anyhow, that's all for now.  Sorry to everyone I haven't contacted -- I swear, I'll return your emails soon.  When I'm not quite so tired.

Happy Holidays, everyone! 

I just realized that there are only six weeks left in the semester -- and I think I'm having a minor anxiety attack.

All my independent study work has to be done by Nov. 17 so I can start doing the primary source work.  If I don't, there's no way I'll get the thesis proposal reviewed by my committee and submitted by the end of the semester.  November 17 is also the day that I may be flying to Milwaukee for an orientation, which is a big part of why I chose it as a deadline.  The following week is vacation and that will be the best time to do any archive hopping, although I might try to work Dayton into the schedule sooner.  

Of course, I have midterms to grade this weekend and make-up exams to give next week, so two sets of tests to grade.

I have .. umm... 15 books left (or 5 subject groups).  It's doable, but it's not helping my headache any.  

I am terrible at talking to people on the phone.  

Called the former DIA agent today to set up an interview and ummm-ed my way through a message on her voice mail.  I'm sure she's a very nice person, but I get so freaked out by, you know, interacting with humans (*eye roll*).

Hopefully, our conversation will go better.

I feel like I'm getting buried by my research.  There's *so* much and people have been so helpful.  I'm not complaining about all the resources -- they're fantastic-- but there's so much I don't know and I wonder how I'll ever get caught up.  

Now I have someone I need to interview and it's so exciting, but I don't know how I'm going to be academically prepared to ask her the right questions.  

So I'm frustrated.