It is 3:15 in the morning as I write this post. I tried to go to bed, but my mind was too restless. Monday, July 23rd was an eventful day with lots packed into it. From the day I learned that recording my reflections is going to be important. The second cohort had provided that advice at the dinner on Sunday night, but now I understand the immediacy of this activity.
As you can see, I wrote two earlier blog entries this night. I wanted to find a better starting point for this narrative exercise and I want to have this blog created for tomorrow as a demonstration.
Today has been a fantastic day of discovery. The morning began with introductions from the course leaders. I found them to be smart and accommodating. It is obvious that they are still working out working together, but they are collegial and very supportive of each other. We spent time until lunch introducing ourselves. This cohort is comprised of hard working, intelligent creative people. I was struck by each person's individual commitment to lifelong learning and the obvious passion for learning and libraries.
Many of us had lunch together and I had a wonderful Japanese bento box. As I avoided the rice and crossed my carb-counting fingers, we started talking about our impressions from the morning. It seemed that many of us had the same concerns. We want to work together to ensure that our class of 15 stays together unlike cohort 2 which has seen its ranks thinned from 14 to 9 during the first year of the two year course.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Day 2 - First Impressions
Sunday the 22nd of July is a quiet day as I ready myself for the evening when I will meet everyone for the first time. I walk the campus and explore the nearby streets. I shop for groceries and I mail my first postcards home. All my activities are mini-adventures as I slowly become more comfortable with my surroundings, realizing that there are subtle differences in language and custom. I took an undergraduate course in anthropology and it has had a lasting effect on me, in part that I wish I had taken more anthropology courses.
In the afternoon, I ready some of the Library 2.0 activities that we are doing at my work. I am only into the 4th week of Helene Bower's gift and it is making me rethink how I do so many things. This blog is just one example of the changes.
Around 2 in the afternoon, I go online and check the SJSU blackboard site. (By making the links in these posts, I will be able to jump to the site quickly as this blog progresses.) I reread the introductions of those in my cohort and I feel somewhat overwhelmed... MBAs, lawyers, professional journalists, technical writers, PR whizzes, managers of libraries that see more circulation in one week then my library sees in a year. Once again, I understand the "imposter syndrome" that Brookfield writes about in his work. (BTW - While looking for an appropriate link, I found this Invisible Librarian essay online.)
I read the strengths that others had posted. I wondered why some hadn't posted. Because I saw a value in sharing the information, I considered the motives of those not communicating.... were they more independent.... was this course going to be an intense competition... (Later, I would learn that some just resented being pigeon-holed, some had not had time... etc.)
I changed my shirt, put on a tie and walked to the 4:30 open house. My arrival was delayed due to the fact that no cabs happened to came my way and I began my journey at 4:45. I had assumed that it was "come and go" as people arrived in San Jose. Now, I have learned to check with others.
My brisk walk left me damp with perspiration, the San Jose warmth encouraged my body to shed more moisture and I entered the building wringing wet. Most had already had the buffet dinner and were now listening attentively to Ken H.'s welcoming speech. There goes my opportunity to make a good impression.
Brooks S., one of my future professors, offered to get me a drink and Joe M., my graduate advisor, obtained it so as to not bother her. (Strike two on the first impression checklist. I was on a roll.). I sipped my water, wishing it was a double scotch.
My cohorts seem honest and interesting and everyone was kind as I blundered through a recount of my border experiences. I have a lot to learn about choosing appropriate moments. Very quickly, the evening ended and we all drifted away.
I walked back with one of my fellow Canadian students, the closest in geographical proximity, and someone with whom I had a bit of prior knowledge. Her reputation as a skilled and creative leader was known to me through acquaintences and friends in the library community. I was offered a bubble tea and I accepted knowing that it probably would challenge my new Atkins efforts and hopes of shedding some of the thirty plus pounds that I have packed on since returning to school full-time. I didn't want to seem rude and refuse her kind offer. I didn't want to seem unadventurous. I watched as the vietnamese woman poured scoops of powder into a container and I feared the sugar content. And I spent the time blithering about my past.
But the day was done... no significant damage. I went to bed knowing that the first day of classes would be upon me soon. The members of the second cohort at the dinner had shared their knowledge. I was dreading the next day.
Note: The bubble tea is very tasty! (I had assumed that it was a traditional South-Asian drink, but it is only a few decades in existence.)
In the afternoon, I ready some of the Library 2.0 activities that we are doing at my work. I am only into the 4th week of Helene Bower's gift and it is making me rethink how I do so many things. This blog is just one example of the changes.
Around 2 in the afternoon, I go online and check the SJSU blackboard site. (By making the links in these posts, I will be able to jump to the site quickly as this blog progresses.) I reread the introductions of those in my cohort and I feel somewhat overwhelmed... MBAs, lawyers, professional journalists, technical writers, PR whizzes, managers of libraries that see more circulation in one week then my library sees in a year. Once again, I understand the "imposter syndrome" that Brookfield writes about in his work. (BTW - While looking for an appropriate link, I found this Invisible Librarian essay online.)
I read the strengths that others had posted. I wondered why some hadn't posted. Because I saw a value in sharing the information, I considered the motives of those not communicating.... were they more independent.... was this course going to be an intense competition... (Later, I would learn that some just resented being pigeon-holed, some had not had time... etc.)
I changed my shirt, put on a tie and walked to the 4:30 open house. My arrival was delayed due to the fact that no cabs happened to came my way and I began my journey at 4:45. I had assumed that it was "come and go" as people arrived in San Jose. Now, I have learned to check with others.
My brisk walk left me damp with perspiration, the San Jose warmth encouraged my body to shed more moisture and I entered the building wringing wet. Most had already had the buffet dinner and were now listening attentively to Ken H.'s welcoming speech. There goes my opportunity to make a good impression.
Brooks S., one of my future professors, offered to get me a drink and Joe M., my graduate advisor, obtained it so as to not bother her. (Strike two on the first impression checklist. I was on a roll.). I sipped my water, wishing it was a double scotch.
My cohorts seem honest and interesting and everyone was kind as I blundered through a recount of my border experiences. I have a lot to learn about choosing appropriate moments. Very quickly, the evening ended and we all drifted away.
I walked back with one of my fellow Canadian students, the closest in geographical proximity, and someone with whom I had a bit of prior knowledge. Her reputation as a skilled and creative leader was known to me through acquaintences and friends in the library community. I was offered a bubble tea and I accepted knowing that it probably would challenge my new Atkins efforts and hopes of shedding some of the thirty plus pounds that I have packed on since returning to school full-time. I didn't want to seem rude and refuse her kind offer. I didn't want to seem unadventurous. I watched as the vietnamese woman poured scoops of powder into a container and I feared the sugar content. And I spent the time blithering about my past.
But the day was done... no significant damage. I went to bed knowing that the first day of classes would be upon me soon. The members of the second cohort at the dinner had shared their knowledge. I was dreading the next day.
Note: The bubble tea is very tasty! (I had assumed that it was a traditional South-Asian drink, but it is only a few decades in existence.)
Welcome to Day One
I arrived on Saturday, the 21st of July at San Jose State University's campus. The day, so far, had been eventful and I was ready to sleep. I was feeling very nervous as I looked around what I would later learn was only a small portion of the university. My living space for the next three weeks will be in the L-shaped CVA building at the southeast of the campus.
Truth be told, I am writing this on the following Tuesday morning because I realized that this course will require me to keep a running record of my thoughts and to do that I needed to choose a beginning.
Looking ahead, I can see that my pursuit of this MLIS degree can be seen as one of those choose-your-own-adventures that I remember reading as a child. I am starting on my reading journey with a concept of the adventure, but no idea of the specific plot twists before me.
Saturday night, I unpack my bags, straighten my room, check emails, review some course materials and tumble into bed. The only choice I make... to sleep.
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