I just got home from an academic conference in Las Vegas. It was one that I had applied to for presenting, but I did not get in. I guess the acceptance rate is some 30 percent, so I don’t feel too bad about it. I was accepted into a research workshop associated with the conference,... Continue Reading →
When my husband and I were newlyweds, we lived in Santa Clara, California, so Mike could do an internship with Arthur Andersen in San Francisco. (And boy are we glad he did not accept their employment offer afterwards!) It was a summer accounting internship, so I found a temp job as a receptionist for a... Continue Reading →
I'm still feeling nostalgic, so I thought it would be fun to look back over the Christmases I enjoyed as a child. Here's a look at my first ten Christmases. Do you recognize any of the toys? Christmas 1980. What a beautiful Pampers box! It's vintage. Christmas 1981. I don't remember that little three-wheeled bike... Continue Reading →
I read Louisa May Alcott's Little Women (1868) as a youth, but wanted a review of it before I posted my thoughts. So, I listened to it on CD during my drive to school. I will post my reaction to the content of the novel later this week, but I had to dedicate an entire... Continue Reading →
You’ve just started blogging, and a few months in, a blogger you’ve never heard of nominates you for one of those blogging “awards.” It’s exciting. How flattering to think that somebody noticed your blog, somebody that isn’t your mother. You realize that the “award” is more of a chain letter that promotes exposing other blogs... Continue Reading →
When I taught a composition class this summer, I was reminded of all of the common mistakes I see in spelling (written about here), grammar, and punctuation. I try to teach my students about commas, and I make constant marks on their papers for the same grammar issues, but it never sinks in. That’s okay. ... Continue Reading →
Do you ever wonder who made the big brown spill on page 238 of the library book you are reading? Do you ever think about the person whose hands sweated on the plastic-covered dust jacket that you’re holding? Obviously, I do. With each page turn, I speculate about the person who read the book before... Continue Reading →
The Today Show recently fired Ann Curry from the top female anchor position. Ever since she got the coveted job, she had been affected and stiff. Her wardrobe had gone from normal to strange, but that is not a reason to fire somebody, and I contend that she is not the problem with the Today... Continue Reading →
Why are secretaries so grumpy? As a former secretary, I know the job isn’t glamorous or ultra rewarding, but part of the job is to be welcoming and perky, so why are so many secretaries failing at this? I know why my previous secretary job inspired grumpiness (his name was BOSS), but I didn’t let... Continue Reading →
Some of you may remember me mentioning that my daughter wanted a hamster. She has been saving her money and working hard to earn it for the past three months. She held a cupcake and lemonade sale, she cleaned bathrooms, she dusted blinds, and helped regularly with dishes and cleaning up toys. She earned $80,... Continue Reading →
The Bookshelf of Emily J. 