Friday, September 15, 2006

Am I in the right class?

O.K. Blogger Lesson 245.5... in reference to the previous post, one might check to see if one's post was posted to the correct blog! Believed to be lost and gone, my post from Wednesday - on my first English class - survived! It somehow was posted to one of my other blogs.

So... read on... (and pretend it's Wednesday!)

Yesterday marked my first official day as a University student. Class is in, and so am I.

What an experience!

It just wouldn't do to be tardy on the first day, so I left the house in plenty of time to make my 6:00. I literally walked into the classroom weak-kneed, I was that excited. Or was it nervousness? After all, I haven't been in an English class for... 20 years? 18 anyway...

Turns out, despite my apparent "teacher's pet" status (which I'm sure has more to do with my age than it does my academic standing - and I'm sure the status resides mostly in my head, not in the sphere most know to be reality) I was not the first body in the room.

O.K., I was the third.

So essentially I was able to watch most of the class arrive, one by one.

Approaching class start time, in walks the first person to appear anywhere CLOSE to my age. This lady walked in, sat herself down in the first seat in the room. I'm thinking to myself,

"Ah, good. I'm not the only grey-hair here!"

Boy, was I wrong.

In walks our dear prof., M. - whom I adore, by the way.

As is the custom in most "first classes", we run down the attendance list - "face-to-a-name time". This lady turned out NOT to be on the list of registered students!

Turns out she was from Career Services and was present to... present!

So here I am, "Dad" to a room full of... yung-uns. Seriously, I'm old enough to be everyone's Dad!

It didn't help that I'd had lunch that afternoon with my friend N. who - when I was complaining about the pain in my knee - said,

"Um, Dave... you're almost 40, ain't ya?" 26 years in to our friendship, he calls me old. what's with that??

Anyhow, I digress...

I knew I was going to enjoy this course, I didn't realize, however, that I would be on the floor in stiches within minutes of the class commencement:

On with the presentation from Career Services. This lady whoes name I've forgotten, described their purpose, progamming etc. and said,

"We would appreciate your input. We're trying to grow the programme."

At which point our dear prof., M. literally interrupts to say

"To what?"

"To... grow the programme?"

"Pardon me?"

"To... what?"

"You said "grow the programme"?"

"Yeah."

Looking rather red in the face, our presenter from Career Services had wheels turning in her head faster than I've seen anyone in a long, long time.

"We're expanding the programme... (pause)"

"Much better, carry on..."

And so she did.

Little was I or anyone else to know what we were in for last night. But I loved every minute of it! Among all the lessons we learned, we were gently drilled on the selection of "a better word for that". It started with the banning of the word "just". A number of times it was said "Oh, I'm just an English Major."

Oops. You don't say THAT in M.'s class.

"Why shouldn't we use the word "just"?", she asks us.

I knew the answer. And I got an affirming nod. It was cool!

We are English students. Not "Just English students". "Just" limits us. "Just" minimizes us.

This was not the only word she drilled us on, but one of many which (or is it that?) was followed by "Assert yourselves!"

I liked her already, but this woman has now attained "language goddess" status in my books. Every time she opens her mouth, wise, golden educated words spill out - by nature, not rehearsed, not phoney. Our prof. is genuinely educated and worldly wise.

Through the various exercises, I began to wonder if I wasn't in the wrong class. Is this an English class, a Philosophy class or a Logics course?

I could go on and on about the first class, but I'll try to break these stories up a bit. Long blog posts get to be much like "family slide shows".

More later on this same station.

11 comments:

cathouse teri said...

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Can't beat that for sayin' it.

Anvilcloud said...

I think it's JUST super that you're JUST having such a great time.

Bare said...

It sounds like you're in a good class :0) Maybe you are the "oldest" person in the class, but who cares! You're learning what you need, and having a good time, too :0)

Granny said...

Sounds like fun.

I've begun copying my longer posts before I do anything else. I email them to me.

oshee said...

It sounds like a class I'd enjoy. I am by far not the oldest in my class. I think a lot of people later in life decide to reclaim the dream of being a writer. So, I am one among many devotees.

I look forward to hearing more.

pissed off patricia said...

Since I have been there and done that as an adult, here are my words of wisdom for you. Take lots and lots of notes. I promise, it will pay off. Things that may seem to slide by are the very things that always pop up on exams.

Otherwise, enjoy the hell out of it, I sure did.

Jamie Dawn said...

I'm with you about long blog posts. I don't like to read them or write them, unless there are plenty of photos to break up the monotony. I've got a children's picture book kind of attention span.

I just turned an ancient 43 years old, and I've noticed many oldies at my college. There are gray-haired souls all over the place. God bless them!! I feel like a spring chicken in some of my classes. Well, that's stretching the truth a bit, but what do I know? I'm JUST an old biddy whose back in college after over 20 years.

Janice Seagraves said...

Hi,

I'm glad your first day went so well.

Janice~

Roshanthi said...

Gald this post didn't get lost!

It's good to know that you;re enjoying your classes, I guess I'll just have to wait a few more days to find out what I think of mine.

Sarah Elaine said...

Sounds like you picked the right course... As they say, "When the student is ready, the master will appear."

As you have quickly come to understand, English (both language and literature) is inextricably linked to Philosophy and Logic... among other things.

Carry on!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you're enjoying yourself! There are fun things about school. I do miss it a bit :-(

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Calgary, Alberta, Canada
English student, Pottery enthusiast, Yoga novice and lover of all people. I make friends over a warm handshake and a beverage. I discover, every day, someone willing to help me along my path.