First Day of School
I was back at school again today, with the same weak level of enthusiasm that has plagued my academic career. Today though, had a few exceptions.

1. I get to take a class with my sister. ENGL 218 - Mennonite Literature is a class I've been meaning to take for a long time. Upon graduating from high school, I vowed I would never take another English class, but here I am. With my ever present interest in Mennonite history, theology and sociology, having read a few of these books already, and since the course counts toward a certificate of Anabaptist Studies, it was innevitable that I take the class. My sister and I sat together, and near the end of the lecture, I leaned over to her and said, "I've got to shut up, or people will think I'm a browner." The prof was going over a basic introduction to Mennonite literature and culture. A few times I helped her out with dates, book titles or names that she couldn't remember. A similar thing happened in my Mennonite sociology class, so I decided not to brand myself as the Mennonite expert in this class as well. In truth, I may know more about Mennonite literature now than some people in the class will know at the end of the course, but I refuse to be labelled as a keener.

2. I'm carrying a brief-case. As a family, we have a name exchange at Christmas. I drew a different sister's name, and in consulting her list, bought an extra "just in case she already has the first gift" gift. It was a brief case, and since she didn't already have the first gift, I kept the briefcase for myself. Carrying it around, I feel more important, and look it apparently as well. My said that if she didn't know any better, she might have thought I was the prof. I'm tired of carrying around a backpack. It may not be as comfortable, but it looks better, and will be more impressive when I start carrying it to all the meetings I have to go to.

   [ posted by William @ 1:37 PM ]