Wildflowers in bloom!

I came home to discover that several of the wildflowers have bloomed on the side of the house. I can't decide whether these small yellow flowers (on the tall, spindly plants) are actually weeds or wildflowers. They're probably weeds, since the photographs on the wildflower seed packets don't depict anything that resembles this plant.

Ah well. I'll pretend like the yellow flowers are intentional for a few days, until I have more time to weed this particular flower bed. There's so much weeding to do!

Another update: The gladiolus shoots are about a foot high!

Math Dreams

 
I just got back from Turkey and trying to get on a normal sleeping schedule. Tonight (this morning?) hasn't really worked though - I fell fast asleep at 8:30 pm and was wide awake at 2:00 am. In an attempt to make myself drowsy, I thought that I would write about the dream that I had a few hours ago.

For years, ever since I was in college, I have had a reoccurring dream about an undergraduate math class. I usually forget about this dream until I have it again. The dream revolves around being enrolled in a math class - but I either have forgotten that I was enrolled or have purposely avoided going to class. And then, halfway through the semester, I realize that I need to go to class (and do all of my homework!) if I want to pass the course. The rest of the dream involves me frantically trying to learn all of the math material and do all of the homework so that I can get a decent grade. Since I've never really liked math too much, the dream ends up being rather stressful.

Math has never been by strong suit. I think that I'm definitely capable of learning complex math, but I didn't have very good math teachers in junior high and high school. I also had some weird circumstances that left me in a weak position. I remember being sick for a few days in third grade and staying home from school. When I went back to school, my classmates had been introduced to fractions and were cruising through the unit. I was able to teach myself and get by alright on my own, but I've never really liked fractions since that point. Even today, I'd rather compute numbers in decimals instead of fractions.

In the beginning of 9th grade I was placed in an honors geometry course. My teacher preferred to cover the material in the second half of the textbook first, with the promise that we would cover the beginning of the book in the latter part of the year. Then, halfway through the school year, I moved to a new state. We had the same geometry textbook in my new class, but this class had just finished covering the material in first part of the textbook. Basically, I moved just in time to cover the second half of the textbook all over again. Since I had already learned that material, I got a great grade in that math class and even helped to tutor my classmates. But I finished the class having only learned half of the course material!

Good thing J is good at math. He will probably better at helping Sam with his math homework. But who knows? Maybe I'll be able to refine my math skills by reviewing Sam's homework over the next 12+ years.

Review: "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

I am writing this post from Patara, a small beach town in Turkey. There are so many things that I could share about the things that I have seen and experienced on my trip thus far, but I'm going to save that for future posts. Instead, since I have some free time this evening (and I'm not too sleepy), I want to write about a book that I just finished reading today. I basically read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern in the past two days; my friends and I have done a lot of traveling on buses lately, which has provided me with a lot of reading time.

I can't remember when I have been this excited about a fantasy novel, at least since I read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell a few years ago. Much like the circus described in this story, this book is cleverly written, crafted and designed - down to the black and white pinstripe pages inside the cover. The story revolves around two ill-fated students of rival magicians; these students end up pitted-against each other in a magical competition that has been organized by their teachers. The "Night Circus" (Le Cirque des Rêves) is the venue for this magical competition. The students are required to use their magical powers to create various spectacles and tents within the circus grounds.

For me, the best part of this book were the fantastic descriptions of the circus, magical enchantments, different parties, and even the whimsical clocks created by a German clockmaker. I loved the description of the clock that was commissioned for the circus itself. This clock would slowly expand and contract, depending on the time of day. It also would change colors, getting darker as nighttime approached and lighter in the day. Plus, all of these other whimsical features were included, too. This is part of the clock description:

"The face of the clock becomes a darker grey, and then black, with twinkling stars where numbers had been previously. The body of the clock, which has been methodically turning itself inside out and expanding, it now entirely subtle shades of white and grey. and it is not just pieces, it is figures and objects, perfectly carved flowers and planets and tiny books with actual pages that turn. There is a silver dragon that cruls around part of the now visible clockwork, a tiny princess in a carved tower who paces in distress, awaiting an absent prince. Teapots that pour into teacups and minuscule curls of steam that rise form them as the seconds tick. Wrapped presents open. Small cats chase dogs. An entire game of chess is played.

At the center, where a cuckoo bird would live in a more traditional timepiece, is the juggler. Dressed in harlequin style with a grey mask, he juggles shiny silver balls that correspond to each hour. As the clock chimes, another ball joins the rest until at midnight he juggles twelve balls in a complex pattern" (p. 69).

Doesn't that clock sound awesome? I want one for myself!

For the most part, this book is set at the turn of the century (end of the 19th century/beginning of the 20th century). You have to pay attention to the dates at the beginning of each chapter, in order to understand the chronology of things (the chapters skip back and forth in time). It can be a bit confusing at first, but it's easy to get the hang of things if you pay attention.

Since finishing this book, I've been thinking about the types of fantasy books that I enjoy reading. I definitely don't like all types of fantasy books - I'm not drawn to full-blown fantasy wars, for example. I like fantasy books that have an element of "real life" or relatively recent history, perhaps because it makes the fantasy elements seem even more charming or distinct from the "regular" world. I think that's why I was drawn to Half Magic and the Oz books as a child, because there is an element of magic among the "real world" and regular people. The Night Circus is no different in this respect. One of the underlying ideas in this book is that magic actually exists, but normal people are not perceptive enough to notice.

If you like fantasy books, whimsical descriptions, or a combination of magic and "real" life, I would recommend this book wholeheartedly.

Forgotten and Remembered Course Material

After administering a final exam today, I said goodbye to the students I have been teaching for the past few months. While I hope they remember the things that we have discussed for the rest of their lives, I realize that this probably won't happen (at least, not for all of my students). If anything, I just hope that they are able to interact with art in a new (and hopefully improved) way, after having taken an art history class.

Tonight, while lying in bed and trying (unsuccessfully) to go to sleep, I've been thinking about the courses that I took as an undergraduate twelve to six years ago. While I remember a lot of things from several courses, I'm surprised to realize that I can hardly remember anything from some of the classes that I took. I'm hoping that some of the material has been so integrated into my life that I can't pinpoint where I first learned the material, but I know that isn't always the case. In fact, I know that several courses (specifically the ones which required me to quickly memorize hundreds of facts for the final exam) have been practically lost from my mind. In a few instances, I also feel like the professor's attitude/apathy/teaching style played a role in how much material I learned or forgot.

Undergrad Courses From Which I Remember Practically Nothing

• American Heritage
• Biology 101
• Physical Science 101
• Music 101
• Music 190
• Archaeology of the Bible
• Several religion courses
• Islamic Art
• Medieval Art
• 19th Century Art (taken online through Independent Study)
• Modern Art (taken online through Independent Study)
• HEPE
• Anthropology 101

Undergrad Courses From Which I Can Recall a Wee Bit of Information

• Religions of the World
• Geology of the Planets
• Geography 101
• German 101 (begun online through Independent Study)
• Greek Art
• Non-Western Art
• Greek and Roman Mythology

Undergrad Courses From Which I Can Recall Specific Material

• All my Italian courses
• Art History Methodologies
• Art History 201, 202
• Art History study abroad
• Upper-level art history courses: Baroque Art, Renaissance/Baroque Architecture, Contemporary Art
• Private voice lessons

Luckily, I feel like I have been able to learn (or re-learn) some of the material on my own, since receiving my undergraduate degree. Graduate school also helped to solidify a lot of the things that I first learned as an undergrad. There are a few things, though, that I still would like to remember better. This summer I hope to pull out the art history notes that I took as an undergraduate and transcribe them into electronic documents. Hopefully I'll be able to refresh my mind on a few select topics. And, better still, I hope to realize that I actually haven't forgotten as much as I think that I have.

What about you? Are there classes that you remember distinctly or have completely forgotten?

Sam's Peculiarities

With Sam's birthday coming up, I wanted to jot down some of the funny, unique things about my little boy. I realize that he might change his habits and quirks as he gets older, so I want to make sure that I don't forget them. I'll be sure to add to this list, if I remember anything else in the next few weeks or so.

• Sam has been a nail biter since he was eighteen months old. He rarely bites his nails during the daytime, but rather bites his nails while he lies in bed. When he was small, I think he decided that nail biting was part of the way that he calmed himself down at night. Anyhow, the nail biting has lessened a little bit recently; last week I cut his fingernails for the first time since he was eighteen months old.
• Sam is obsessed with wiping his feet before entering any building. He wipes his feet for a good twenty or thirty seconds before even entering our house. I think we'll be going through a lot of doormats; the one I bought last summer is looking worn already.
• Sam will only wear long-sleeved shirts. He must take after his Aunt V, who also likes to keep her arms covered. It's a rare day when I can get him to agree to wear a short-sleeve t-shirt. Hopefully he'll break down and decide to wear short sleeves when the weather warms up this summer.