Where's Tricia?

Imagine a scene right out of Where's Waldo?, but think of the academic version. Can you find me buried under a pile of papers waiting to be graded? At the moment, probably not. I will, however, dig myself out in a few days (grades are due soon, after all). When it's all over, I'll be back with bells on. I hope you'll join me then.

Monday Department Retreat

The first Monday back before the fall semester is always reserved for a department retreat. We generally meet in our conference room for several hours before sharing a potluck lunch and celebrating the start of the new year.

This year we tried a new location for our retreat, escaping to the eastern shore. When we arrived, we took a quick walk on the beach. Here are some of the things we saw.








The water was warm, the shells plentiful, and the number of blue crabs washed up on the sand was surprising. After our time on this wild and nearly deserted beach, we went inside for lunch and then got down to business. Inspired by our surroundings, we actually accomplished quite a bit. It was a good day.

Awash in Paper

Good Morning Friends!

My apologies for not writing recently, but I am drowning in final projects, portfolios, exams and papers. As soon as my grading is done (please pray it will be soon), I'll be back. I promise.

While you're here, let me remind you that I leave in 8 short days for Taiwan, China and Tibet. It will take nearly 24 hours to get to Taipei, given that we are flying a route that takes us from Richmond to Chicago to Tokyo to Taipei. We leave at 9:30 am on May 15 and arrive in Taipei at 9:58 pm on May 16. So, my first post from Taipei will probably the evening of May 17th. (Don't forget I'll be 12 hours ahead of EST). Our first day will be spent at NCCU, where we will begin with a lesson on Chinese calligraphy. While at the University we will meet with faculty members in our respective specialties, attend a lecture on Taiwan politics and visit the Election Center. Later in the afternoon we will tour the Mao Kong district and be treated to a tea tasting. Our first day will end with a visit to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall for an evening performance by a percussionist troupe at the National Theatre. WOW!

I hope you'll join me here as I share my experiences. I will return on June 3rd, just in time to join in MotherReader's Second Annual 48-Hour Book Challenge, if I can manage to stay awake! I promised MR that I would contribute a prize for this little shindig, so I will be bringing something back from my whirlwind tour. I don't know what it will be yet, but I can assure you that even though it will be small enough to fit in my suitcase, it will definitely be something fabulous!

That's all for now. I'll be back when grades are posted. I'm sure you'll hear me singing when that time arrives.

The Mañana Gene

Okay, it's Friday afternoon and I have 20 minutes left before I must leave to get my son off the bus. What have I done today?! Well, that's a really good question. I spent 2 hours in a department meeting, another hour revising documents based on aforementioned meeting, and an hour or so staring at my computer screen while alternately typing and deleting the annual grant report due Monday. Did I mention it needs to be proofed by the Grants Office before then? I usually work better under pressure and accomplish more when I have loads of work on my plate, but lately, that wonderful mañana gene has been kicking in. As Scarlett says, "I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow. "

And as for a really meaningful blog, well that too can wait until tomorrow.