Exam Time

Lisa Is Right In The Middle Of Exams

Spoke with her this morning - It was a short week after the Easter Break (if a 4 day weekend can be called much of a break!) So it's Exam time! Right now she's only had a few of her own exams to correct so she's mostly monitoring other groups. The one large exam she corrected must have been too easy since about 1/4 of the learners got A's -a bit more than would have been expected. Lisa hopes nobody notices and complains her exam was too easy.

All in all it's about as much fun for her as for the learners. GRIN But next week she has 3 large groups of tests to correct. That will keep her busy -grin- . When exams are finished and corrected she'll have a few weeks until the next term starts.

Lisa was hoping to get to Keetmanshoop with Erna but it turns out that Erna will be going to a conference then in Keetmanshoop and there's no room in the transport for Lisa. Too bad - it's so hard to arrange for a ride Lisa thinks she'll probably end up spending the whole time in Aroab. Ahh well. With reading, writing, planning for the next term, and practicing for the GREs (if the review book we sent her arrives!) She figures she'll have plenty to do.

 

The Hostel

Last night the kids in the Hostel next door were watching the movie Saw IV - Lisa left quite early - there was too much blood and gore for her taste and she was worried that the little ones would end up with nightmares! She couldn't believe there had been a Saw I. II, and III. She never was into slasher/horror flicks. I think everyone is kind of restless around the end of the term and movies like that sort of get their minds off everyday stuff. But I'm sure glad I didn't have to watch it! (GRIN)

 

Writing

We spent a long time talking about the process of writing. writer's block, turning an idea into a story etc. I gather Lisa has lots of ideas but is having trouble getting them from her imagination to the printed page. We sort of told her "join the club". At her stage of writing she says she's concerned that she's not improving fast enough and she's reusing the same themes over and over just with different "window dressing".

Our view was - if she can identify such weaknesses in her writing all on her own she's ahead of the game compared to writers who make those mistakes but can't see it in their stuff! I'm not sure it was enough consolation for her. She sort of wanted the magic code that turns ideas into stories or novels. As her Dad said - "If we knew how to do that - it would be obvious since we'd both be selling like crazy".

Knowing you're not going to get a magic answer doesn't make it less frustrating when you don't. The best advice we could give her was Practice Practice Practice, Write Write Write! She changed the topic of conversation. Double Grin

 

Politics

It's still interesting talking about politics with her in Namibia. She heard about the T.E.A. parties, and was curious about how Obama was doing in Mexico/South America. Sometimes I wonder which has had the most influence on her political interest - The Election with Obama winning - or being so far away in Africa. Probably it's a bit of both. Also growing up and moving beyond college - thinking about the world as a whole - not just concentrating on a narrow portion of it.

Trying to keep her up to date on the world has encouraged us to subscribe to more magazines than we usually get (about 10 usually). We've added The Economist, The Atlantic, Scientific American, and I just sent in a request for a 20 week trial subscription to The Nation. We get them then mail them to Lisa who reads them then puts them in her classroom for free reading. Lisa likes the different points of view and her learners are getting a whole lot to think about too! Talk about broadening their horizons!

Lisa's widening thought processes may be influencing her interest in specific grad school programs. She's eager to get home and work on the next stage of her life (computer access, tv, fresh fruit and veggies, and everyone speaking English has nothing to do with her desire I'm sure - GRIN- ) Have a good week one and all - Enjoy spring - for all of you not shoveling the late spring snow that's fallen!

 

Susan Rothman