tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post8473760738841808334..comments2023-10-11T04:09:53.564-07:00Comments on materfamilias writes: Deep Breath In. . . Now Out. . . Calming Oneself on the Weekendmaterfamiliashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-77099384206549332072012-09-23T06:56:20.707-07:002012-09-23T06:56:20.707-07:00Thanks, Jane. It is a constant challenge, isn'...Thanks, Jane. It is a constant challenge, isn't it? materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-61134596795569686272012-09-22T19:17:25.867-07:002012-09-22T19:17:25.867-07:00Your kindness and sensitivity always shine through...Your kindness and sensitivity always shine through your posts and pictures. So glad that you have ways to soothe and invigorate your spirit. It is a challenge between too much and too little in every aspect of life. Jane Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10236298438179825569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-76891316384962769942012-09-18T19:59:46.139-07:002012-09-18T19:59:46.139-07:00They amaze me, Mardel, the bravery and vulnerabili...They amaze me, Mardel, the bravery and vulnerability. So young, so far from home, and taking a university level class in a language they have mastered less than I have French -- I can't imagine trying to follow a class in French. And then another one after that in a different subject. And another. And then go home to cook for myself with food I scarcely recognize. . . materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-19187073598338723632012-09-18T09:01:33.260-07:002012-09-18T09:01:33.260-07:00The photos themselves are like a deep breath, and ...The photos themselves are like a deep breath, and I sit here feeling my nerves slow. Thank you.<br /><br />Your compassion and empathy for your students is so strong here and you remind me of my semester teaching language and writing skills to ESL students at one of the SUNY campuses. Then I was planning on a teaching career specializing in ESL, and had several years experience teaching English to various immigrant groups. Your students are much more advanced than mine were if they can even consider taking a regular class. Even so I marveled at my students, how much they had to overcome, their fierce determination, and I was at a fairly rural campus where the students were all housed in dormitories and the village was in walking distance. But the grocery stores were filled with white-bread-small-town-America supplies, and there were few reminders of home. Mardelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04850551308931710502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-75526941483636563362012-09-16T20:38:10.682-07:002012-09-16T20:38:10.682-07:00Already? He's at Carleton or Ottawa U already?...Already? He's at Carleton or Ottawa U already? Exciting changes, and how your home dynamics will have changed. <br />And don't worry, eventually he'll run out of underwear and figure out how those machines work! ;-)materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-88964842757816978392012-09-16T20:37:04.640-07:002012-09-16T20:37:04.640-07:00You make a good point, Elle. It's important to...You make a good point, Elle. It's important to take care of myself so that I can convey the necessary calm. More reason to breathe . . . materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-82571534679413973462012-09-16T20:36:20.451-07:002012-09-16T20:36:20.451-07:00You're welcome, Marsha -- and thank you!You're welcome, Marsha -- and thank you!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-65808179026414738872012-09-16T20:06:40.599-07:002012-09-16T20:06:40.599-07:00Hi Mater, I'm afraid that I recognize my son i...Hi Mater, I'm afraid that I recognize my son in your first two paragraphs! We just got back from a quick trip to Ottawa and, although I sense that he is happy with his courses and his new environment, there are clues that he is not quite in the swing of things (it's been 2 full weeks and he hasn't done any laundry yet!!!!).<br />Your students are lucky to have you; I hope that they will soon settle in and let you teach, instead of babysit! Patriciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05504513116873595049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-34265275288350214372012-09-16T15:39:41.028-07:002012-09-16T15:39:41.028-07:00A little compassion goes a long way, doesn't i...A little compassion goes a long way, doesn't it, although being rested enough to convey calm and to transmit reassurance and confidence in another's ability is no easy task. I think our own experiences of struggling with a second language--and with travel--help, at least in some limited way. It never fails to surprise me, though, how exhausting it is to really listen. ElleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-46909711272693329022012-09-16T09:38:03.211-07:002012-09-16T09:38:03.211-07:00Your compassion and empathy for your students is r...Your compassion and empathy for your students is refreshing and heartening, as are your beautiful photographs; thank you for reminding me that I can cover my screen with images of your enchanting surroundings.Marshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14035642478179187618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-12651953158580441232012-09-16T07:48:55.951-07:002012-09-16T07:48:55.951-07:00Yes, the blogging allows me a different focus, alt...Yes, the blogging allows me a different focus, although it also steals precious minutes, of course.<br />And last week, I was in bed at 8 one evening, at 9 the next, so that helped.<br />I can imagine that hugging a horse could be very restorative, centering -- lucky you!materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-56545350178242124122012-09-16T07:47:20.598-07:002012-09-16T07:47:20.598-07:00Yes, those gender lines are notable. To be fair, t...Yes, those gender lines are notable. To be fair, though, my colleague in the next office is really willing to go the extra distance for students, but I think that his very physicality makes it less likely that he will be approached the same way as I am. More argument for me putting better boundaries in place, perhaps. And if I were younger, building a bigger career, maybe I'd be more determined about doing that. But I'll be content with a different kind of progress, I guess. materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-83326343398453305322012-09-16T07:44:40.830-07:002012-09-16T07:44:40.830-07:00Oh, you know precisely of what I speak. Too many t...Oh, you know precisely of what I speak. Too many think of our work as limited to what we do in class; perhaps they figure in a bit of marking, but overall I suspect it seems pretty cushy. And I feel lucky in many ways, but rhythm during term is very intense, isn't it?!<br />Do you miss it now, in retirement? I'm trying to contemplate moving over that line, in a few years. . . materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-37946111232084506382012-09-16T07:42:46.529-07:002012-09-16T07:42:46.529-07:00It's really rewarding work, often, if frustrat...It's really rewarding work, often, if frustrating and tiring. And as long as I remember, there are pockets of respite all around. Thanks, Lorrie.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-522803060034613582012-09-16T07:42:01.403-07:002012-09-16T07:42:01.403-07:00Thanks, sweetie! Glad to have you seeing me with m...Thanks, sweetie! Glad to have you seeing me with my work hat on. ;-)materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-57818121302278419762012-09-16T07:41:25.248-07:002012-09-16T07:41:25.248-07:00It's true -- in the city we tend to forget how...It's true -- in the city we tend to forget how near the beach is. And yes, I am so grateful for being able to run, a really good way to stay in the moment, in my body.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-19515352591873924502012-09-16T07:40:11.928-07:002012-09-16T07:40:11.928-07:00Yes, you know exactly what I'm talking about -...Yes, you know exactly what I'm talking about -- and thank goodness for helpful and patient IT folk to walk everyone through their access. These "digital natives" need a surprising amount of handholding, native speakers and students from abroad alike.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-33907516863930804042012-09-16T07:38:42.315-07:002012-09-16T07:38:42.315-07:00What a clever friend! I can well imagine that piec...What a clever friend! I can well imagine that piece of seaweed as art.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-84923219882409455052012-09-16T07:38:06.506-07:002012-09-16T07:38:06.506-07:00I've played around with this a bit. Not sure i...I've played around with this a bit. Not sure it works for all screens. . .materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-42812630256185515812012-09-16T07:37:38.243-07:002012-09-16T07:37:38.243-07:00Glad you enjoy the pics -- we could all use some d...Glad you enjoy the pics -- we could all use some deep breathing from time to time.materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-62518585557029726532012-09-16T05:41:54.924-07:002012-09-16T05:41:54.924-07:00I got exhausted having read your post Oh my. You s...I got exhausted having read your post Oh my. You surely have to love your job to have the strength, energy and time it needs.<br />Does blogging give you a time to relax/ breathe?<br /><br />For me it does. And enough hours of sleep help.<br />Lol, going out on our yard ( not to the garden, as we lack one ), is of no help. I get annoyed when I see all the work our place needs.<br />But, as I´ve told, hugging my horse or looking at the sleeping dog, is relaxing.<br /><br />Wishing you strength for the new week.mettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13732534795009852825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-61459113550513364592012-09-15T14:38:56.058-07:002012-09-15T14:38:56.058-07:00This post reminds me of my musings about how doing...This post reminds me of my musings about how doing too much/too little often seems to fall along gender lines in academia. Not always but often it was the women professors in my former profession who would go that extra mile for a student, and the male prof who would make himself oh so conveniently (for himself) unavailable at key crunch times. And who ended up with their oh so critical research time squeezed? Yep, the generous-hearted, ever nurturing women. Time and again, it was research stats that nailed the promotion, not teaching ability or student satisfaction with a course, even though the latter is what attracted and kept the students at the uni and thereby generated the core revenue income, not research grants which were prestigious icing but not the main cake. Where is it best to draw the line, between a seemingly innate feminine desire to care/look after and and more brusque masculine self-serving aloofness? A bit of both is ideal. i admired most the women who did had strong boundaries and said kindly but firmly to students "I can't help you but try XY or Z (person or resource)" and skilfully delegated and thereby dissipated demands on themselves. And went on to the very top. The super helpful, sadly, never did progress far.<br />HesterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-45026173860624056272012-09-15T13:53:38.719-07:002012-09-15T13:53:38.719-07:00Oh, your opening paragraphs have brought back such...Oh, your opening paragraphs have brought back such a flood of memories! Although I've been retired for a few years now, those first weeks are still so very vivid in my mind. Like your students, many of mine were also coping with a new language and customs in addition to living away from home for the first time. And like you, I often pushed aside my lunch to talk with them for a few minutes; their timing might have been off, but their need was real. <br /><br />I often laugh when I think of the time when, for a day, I was assigned to co-teach with a person from the local business community. His total exhaustion at the end of what, to me, was a not particularly strenuous day, was amusing. And he didn't have to make time to counsel students nor mark papers nor prep for the next day's worth of classes. I've always liked to think that he left with a bit more respect for my "easy" job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-1311490550710261932012-09-15T13:28:18.165-07:002012-09-15T13:28:18.165-07:00You write so eloquently about the trials of new-to...You write so eloquently about the trials of new-to-university students, both Canadian and foreign. Your words evoke the interest you take in each student and your desire to communicate the material you are teaching. Exhausting! I should say so! I hope that, as you mark and plan, your eyes can lift to absorb those beautiful, calming views.Lorriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03653026442945027184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4904021173466473381.post-91438916846225802162012-09-15T13:04:30.089-07:002012-09-15T13:04:30.089-07:00Oh mom! Yikes, what a chaotic introduction to the ...Oh mom! Yikes, what a chaotic introduction to the new teaching year.<br />I'm glad though, for those students to have you on their side. Its generous (if not completely overwhelming) to take all their different stories and circumstances into so much consideration. Having said that, you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned setting up boundaries. From personal experience, boundaries b/w teacher and student are really best for everyone in the long run. <br />Good luck and good rest this weekend :)<br /> do,write. readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02687240571292516010noreply@blogger.com