Just what is it...

My first exams are Thursday, from 8:45-12:15. There will be an image identifi- cation section (artist, title, date, and period/ movement) for 25 images (out of approximately 700 eligible). Ruthy said she had 100 images for her MA exam, which she took at BGSU about 6 years ago. I'm thinking that might actually be better, since it would give a more representative sample of my knowledge... but then again, my brain will probably hurt less after 25, and I might not know that much anyway. The next section is a 2-hour essay addressing a broad aspect of western art, and then I'm done for the day.

Friday the exams will run from 1:00-4:30 and will consist of two 1.5-hour "specific essays," the second of the two focusing on my proposed thesis topic. On each essay, I will be able to choose the topic from a list of three options, and each will deal with coursework I've completed at BGSU.

A 90% is passing with high honors; 75% is required to pass at all.

If you think about it, please pray for me. If possible, pray hard.

Anxietous

Tests start Thursday. I didn't think I was that nervous, but I appear to have broken out in hives and canker sores.

You'd think that my three jobs and reading for other classes might take my mind off said tests... but instead they're contributing to the stressed-ness. But not to worry--at least the tests will be over by Friday afternoon, and I'll be freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!...

...to take my language exam and write my thesis.

Black Arts Swamp Festival...?

This weekend is the Black Swamp Arts Festival in Bowling Green. Bryant and I went last night to hear the Derailers (a Ruthy endorsement) and get an elephant ear, but didn't end up staying long.

Today we cruised the booths, which are set up along main street, and to which this photo does not do justice--there were miles of them (if you count up one side and back down the other), and huge (for BG) crowds!

I bought a pair of delicious earrings; Bryant took this picture.

As we were heading back home along Main, we happened on the Afro-Caribbean ensemble, finishing their presentation with an audience-involvement dance. I made the mistake of lingering to watch, and was grabbed and forced to dance by Rebecca, who has been in the group for years and actually can dance. Then Bryant made fun of me.

Bookish

It must be test season.

I finished The Kite Runner (BG's Community Reads book) on Saturday, after borrowing it from the library on Friday, because I needed something to read after finishing Sons and Lovers last week.

I had already checked out Thomas Pynchon's Slow Learner and read several of the stories, but apparently wasn't feeling sufficient distraction from the studying I really needed to be doing for my upcoming comprehensive exams.

Said exams are on the 15th and 16th of this month and involve image ID (~700 eligible) and three two-hour essays. Please pray hard.

A further distraction is that Bryant is in town! He'll be here to help me celebrate the end of the exams, which I will DOMINATE... if I can stop reading these silly books.

"Into this world we're born..."

Do you remember how when the World Trade Centers were attacked, the question on everyone's mind was how the government's reaction might have differed had the Democrats been in the White House? And how some of those vocal people were so relieved to have such a "Strong Leader" in the presidency?

Well, I hope that now, in the aftermath of Katrina, those people are asking themselves that same question--how things might have been different with a Democrat in the White House. I hope they're asking how things might have been without so many troops overseas fighting our "Strong Leader"'s war. And I hope some of them say something.