Because I can...
After some contemplation, I decided to take 2 regular classes and my DFE/PEP (SI 681) class. I was going to fully load up, but I wanted to spend time job searching and enjoying my last semester. I'm currently taking Reference (SI 647) and an 20th century architecture (HISTART 473). I talked to Xiao-Wen (acaedmic counselor) and she said that I only have to take 2 classes to graduate. Music to my ears! 681 fulfills all my PEP requirements (6 credits). It requires me to create a presentation of what I did this past summer. This summer I did an internship at the Everglades NPS, so I get to talk about my collection and my overall experience...in Powerpoint! SI 647 is a reference class taught by M. Holland. Learning a lot so far. It's given the class an opportunity to answer real questions posted to the IPL website, and it's teaching us how research and search for common and obscure sources. HISTARt 473 is my outside cognate. I took this class because I've always been interested in modern architecture. It's not what I expected. I thought we would look at slides containing images of beautiful buildings, but instead, we're learning about the fundamental theories behind the modernism movement. The prof makes it interesting, and my classmates are sharp, so it's not a throwaway class.
Posted by rmarquez on September 27, 2006 at 03:57 PM | Comments (0)
Before I go on...
I am a grad student at the School of Information. I'm specializing in archives & records management, and I hope to work at either the National Park Service, a natural history museum or a special collections library. I'm interested in digital archives, creating better access, and good old fashioned preservation/conservation methods. Fall 2006 is my last semester. My time at SI has been stressful if not interesting. There were many times during my first year that I wanted to quit because I've never had to work that hard. But I'm glad that I went through the program because it kicked my ass and I actually liked it.
SI isn't the only thing I want to write about. I've lived in Ann Arbor for four years, and I admit, it's not my favorite place on this planet. But I know I'm gonna bawl like a baby when I leave because there are things about it that has endeared itself to me. For instance, I love being able to walk or bike anywhere. I also love: Zingerman's (deli and roadhouse), Dominick's, Ashley's, Old Town, the city parks/trails, the YMCA, Dawn Trader bookshop, summertime, the fall, the Amtrak station, arboretum, the fancy Whole Foods, Kerrytown market, Big Ten Burrito, Blimpy Burger, Ypsilanti (it's so close), the recycling program, and of course, the university.
Now, the things I don't like about Ann Arbor: the living expenses, the winter time, the crazy spring time weather, art fair, the distance from Detroit, the lack of indie-rock venues/shows, football saturdays, the pampered undergraduates (i know, some aren't), the numerous sandwich shops, lack of good tex-mex, the indoor tennis options (only one), lack of good bars, late-night coffee shops, the mall, and it's not athens, GA.
Overall, AA isn't that bad especially if you're here for a couple of years. And my dislikes aren't deep flaws. These are things that I've come to miss from living in a bigger city (Chicago/Atlanta). It's no big deal.
Posted by rmarquez on September 07, 2006 at 11:55 PM | Comments (0)
New Semester...Last Semester
This is my last semester at SI, and I've loaded up on my cognates. I am taking 539 (complex web systems), 540 (computer networking), 647 (library reference) and Anthropology 681 (material culture). I'm excited about taking all of these classes, but I'm really intimidated by the anthro class. All of my classmates are phd students in archaeology so they have a better grasp of the concepts. And as the only master's student, I feel a lot of pressure to say informed comments in class. Anyway, I may drop the class for a GIS class that's being offered at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning. I would prefer to learn a practical skill, but I'm up for a challenge like this anthro class.
Posted by rmarquez on September 07, 2006 at 11:44 PM | Comments (0)
