Quarter One: Dreams and Aspirations

It has been one unbelievable year, plus a few months since my last post. How time flies when life vacilates between thunderous, blustering storms and peaceful gardens of sunflowers.

The monumental event of the year is beginning my graduate degree in Library and Information Sciences at the University of Washington. Though I taught for four and a half years, until I heard about the program, I never felt an urge to pursue a grad degree. Maybe its the struggles I've experienced in school- anxiety over writing assignments, inability to concentrate, struggling with tests- that caused me to assume I could not succeed in a graduate program. Its beautiful to realize, that I am very capable of succeeding and love learning, even when its confusing and overwhelming.

Graduate school is much different than I expected. Not that I knew what to expect, but it didn't include being able to recite 32 information behavior theories front to back- back to front. Many people have asked about "Dewey". I have yet to really 'learn' Dewey but what I did learn is much more foundational. I learned to ask questions of how we use information and why and how that impacts the world. I explored the world of teachers as information seekers, and realized for that supporting other teachers quest for information may be another way I can positively influence the school environment. HTML finally makes sense to me (kind of) and I am beginning to embrace my 'nerdy' side that I forgot long ago in order to 'fit in' with the cool girls.

Part of the beauty of this quarter has been the creative aspirations and opportunities born out of the intellectual and academic studies that embrace who I am as an entire person. Throughout this quarter, I worked on my first large scale photography display. I learned how to create books of various forms. I designed my first website. DREAMS stirred from somewhere deep inside of me as I studied, taught middle school and pursued artistic endeavors.

I dream of creating a photographic literacy workshop for at-risk elementary students who struggle with reading and writing. I dream of capturing with my camera all the little forgotten wonders of the world forgotten or passed by. I dream of creating on-line educational opportunities for students around the world who cannot attend school in the traditional manner.

I must continue to dream. Without dreams, all the knowledge and academia would be stale- a tasteless piece of bread in my mouth. Dreams make graduate school one of the amazing dishes in the decadent, rich and flavorful full course meal called life.