The Waiting Game

All of my classes for next semester have, by the standards of PermaU, relatively long wait lists. Depending on whom I talk to, this indicates one of the following:

1. I am a good teacher, so students want to take my class.


or


2. I am too easy, so students want to take my class.


My teaching evaluations point to the former, but some of my more vocal colleagues insist that long wait lists are only because students want easy As.


So perhaps I am too easy or maybe a combo of #1 and #2. Is it common knowledge that long wait lists directly correlate with the ease of the course?

Ovary test: FAIL

These is perhaps no greater test of motherly instincts than a Christmas church service packed with infants, middle schoolers, and children of every age in between. I gazed around the church during an especially uninspiring sermon, observing my fellow parishioners as they kindly smiled at a squirmy four month or pulled faces at a two year old.

That many kids in one place should have, at least according to many of my peers, caused at least *some* reaction from me.


Nothing. Not even a twitch of an ovary.


While my college roommate is pregnant with her fifth (FIFTH!!!) child and my unmarried colleagues curse their ticking biological clocks (can we please talk about something else at lunch?), I'm unconcerned. I'm not yet 30. Should I be feeling the urge to reproduce?

A poopy post

Oh, yes, my bloggie friends. I've become one of THOSE dog owners.


One who has more facebook pictures of canines than people.

One who talks to and about the dog like it is a child.

One who, although would never ACTUALLY say this aloud, *knows* that her dog is smarter than many of her acquaintances' toddlers.

One who digs around in poop (with plastic bagged-hands) to search for recently ingested ear plugs. And puzzle pieces. And buttons.



Yes, I've become THAT kind of dog owner. (And yes, digging around in various piles of poop was my most strenuous activity today. So far.)

My warm, fuzzy Christmas present to you

(just pretend that it is wrapped with fantastic, non-tacky holiday paper)

My gift to you is a link to this post over at Twice about a conversation with daughter, Curie. The best line? "Mommy, can boys be scientists? Or just girls?"


It made me all warm and fuzzy, like a steaming mug of hot chocolate (or spiked coffee).

Happy holidays!

Hope you all have a very merry Christmas or whatever you choose to celebrate!


Did Santa bring you what you wanted? I know I'm hoping for a finished manuscript in my stocking....

Holiday Awkwardness

As our holiday celebrations continue to expand each year, the potential for awkward moments expands exponentially with each added significant other, spouse, or kid. Family outsiders = people unfamiliar with our many, MANY uncomfortable family stories.


What's the most awkward holiday moment you've witnessed (or instigated)? Please, help us all feel better about our own WTF holiday moments.

Post-semester priorities

The semester is over. OV-AH!!!



Some people are excited about catching up on sleep. Others are glad not to have to deal with students for a few weeks. For some, the end of the semester means time for family.


And me?


I'm most excited about getting caught up on my blog reading and posting.



What does that say about me and my life priorities?

End-of-the-semester emailings: complete the sentence!

Dear Student,

Thank you for inquiring about your final exam / your grade / my "completely unfair" grading policies.

Yes, you really did earn that D / F.

No, you cannot get into my class next semester because it is full / the waitlist is 15 people long / you won't pass it.



See you next semester / good luck with next semester,


Dr. Reaction

Judging the Judged

I'm not sure students here at PermaU really understand that once they have a Judicial Committee ruling against them (cheaters! cheaters!), some professors will never view them in the same light again.


I know because I'm one of them.


When I find out that a student has been "convicted" of cheating or plagiarism--either from another professor or because I had to report them-- I never think positively about them again.


I suppose I should not be so judgmental, right? They have been judged. I am sure they will learn their lessons and never cheat (or plagiarize) again. Right?



Do you get bothered when students cheat? Is this something that I will out-grow?