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Thursday, June 11, 2015
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Austen and Aliens: What I Do With English
I came across this blog post a while ago and I found it reassuring. I thought I'd share it with all of you.
Austen and Aliens: What I Do With English: Today, I received my BA in English from UC Berkeley. I was selected to speak at the English Department's commencement; this is the speech th...
Austen and Aliens: What I Do With English: Today, I received my BA in English from UC Berkeley. I was selected to speak at the English Department's commencement; this is the speech th...
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
English Major (and Avid Readers)'s Heaven on Earth: Printer's Row Lit Fest
As a recent college graduate with a degree in English literature and creative writing, I imagine this is what heaven is like: hundreds of thousands of books sold inexpensively within a few blocks by numerous vendors and publishers. Why haven’t I heard about the Chicago Tribune Printer’s Row Lit Fest before? I found out about it Saturday night after the first full day of the event had ended. My mother had happily read the article from the Chicago Tribune to me while we were having dinner. Instantly, I demanded that we go the next day. (I’m not a demanding person, but when it comes to books, you better do what I say!)
The Chicago Tribune Printer’s Row Lit Fest is an annual two-day even on Dearborn Street with hundreds of vendors and thousands of books. This year it took place on Saturday and Sunday June 4th and 5th. Now, here is a link to the Chicago Tribune’s FAQ about the Fest, but I’m going to share what I experienced. First: the smell of books. Does that sound strange? I’m not talking about a stench sort of smell, but the experience of smelling millions of sheets of paper in one spot. If I could have made a huge pile of books and jumped in just to be overwhelmed with the smell of paper, I would have. However, I’m sure vendors would have been upset with me and passer-bys would have thought I was insane. I probably am insane if I want to jump in a pile of books like it’s a ball pit at a McDonald’s Play Place. Not to mention I’m 22 years old.
Second: the crowd. The street was already tight from the tents and tables each vendor had, but there was such closeness between the people on the street that could not be avoided. Yes, we were closely packed. I was constantly brushing against people trying to walk booth to booth and bookshelf to bookshelf. But what I enjoyed was hearing people talk about the books they were picking up. Whispers of their opinion on Samuel Becket or Willa Cather or science fiction and fantasy novels wisped around me. Perhaps I should have joined in on the conversation, but I was in too much awe from touching a grass-woven bound edition of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass (1867, if I remember the date correctly) to converse with anyone around me.
One gripe I do have though is that I did not know about this sooner. Let me tell you a little story: My mother was reading the article about the Lit Fest while she and I were having dinner. I clearly was excited over the news of something so amazing being so close. She then proceeds to tell me about how my father used to work on Printer's Row. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, he worked out there.... And I had no idea! Why wasn't this news brought up to me before? Because he worked there before my brother and I were born. Over 24 years ago, my father worked on Printer's Row, but I don't find out until I finish my degree in ENGLISH and CREATIVE WRITING. Would this have been some inspiring news had I heard it while in high school, or heck, even in college? Why, yes! How kind of you to ask. But I was denied this joy. Despite this overlook by my parents, I have found a new tradition to kick off my summers now that I am back in suburbia.
And with that being said, I need a new bookcase.
The Chicago Tribune Printer’s Row Lit Fest is an annual two-day even on Dearborn Street with hundreds of vendors and thousands of books. This year it took place on Saturday and Sunday June 4th and 5th. Now, here is a link to the Chicago Tribune’s FAQ about the Fest, but I’m going to share what I experienced. First: the smell of books. Does that sound strange? I’m not talking about a stench sort of smell, but the experience of smelling millions of sheets of paper in one spot. If I could have made a huge pile of books and jumped in just to be overwhelmed with the smell of paper, I would have. However, I’m sure vendors would have been upset with me and passer-bys would have thought I was insane. I probably am insane if I want to jump in a pile of books like it’s a ball pit at a McDonald’s Play Place. Not to mention I’m 22 years old.
Second: the crowd. The street was already tight from the tents and tables each vendor had, but there was such closeness between the people on the street that could not be avoided. Yes, we were closely packed. I was constantly brushing against people trying to walk booth to booth and bookshelf to bookshelf. But what I enjoyed was hearing people talk about the books they were picking up. Whispers of their opinion on Samuel Becket or Willa Cather or science fiction and fantasy novels wisped around me. Perhaps I should have joined in on the conversation, but I was in too much awe from touching a grass-woven bound edition of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass (1867, if I remember the date correctly) to converse with anyone around me.
One gripe I do have though is that I did not know about this sooner. Let me tell you a little story: My mother was reading the article about the Lit Fest while she and I were having dinner. I clearly was excited over the news of something so amazing being so close. She then proceeds to tell me about how my father used to work on Printer's Row. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, he worked out there.... And I had no idea! Why wasn't this news brought up to me before? Because he worked there before my brother and I were born. Over 24 years ago, my father worked on Printer's Row, but I don't find out until I finish my degree in ENGLISH and CREATIVE WRITING. Would this have been some inspiring news had I heard it while in high school, or heck, even in college? Why, yes! How kind of you to ask. But I was denied this joy. Despite this overlook by my parents, I have found a new tradition to kick off my summers now that I am back in suburbia.
And with that being said, I need a new bookcase.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
"Stories Are Important"
I tried searching to see who "MAO" could possibly be. I'm assuming those are initials, but sadly, I could not find anyone who has copyrighted this quote. At first I thought it might have been a faculty member, but then I rescinded that theory because I doubt any faculty member would damage university property so blatantly. Next guess: a student. Unfortunately, I do not have access to the list of students in the English Department, but then again, who says it's a student in the English Department? Because this graffiti is written on the English Building? Seems too convenient! Although, it is a safe guess.
Stories are important. Stories are important. Stories are important. Every aspect of our lives are short stories. Our lives as a whole are novels, sometimes epics, that are either unread by others or unaware of by you. But the books you read or the ones you walk passed are just as important as the comic strips you read or the video games you play. These are stories created to engage you. Like life. Life is engaging. Life is your story. Your story is important.
Maybe I'm bias because I'm a creative writing major, but I love reading my peers' works and I love writing my own. We each have stories to share no matter how insignificant you think yours is. Because, it is important. Stories show the human experience that we all take part in. Needless to say, I was cheerful and emotional and proud when I saw this piece of graffiti facing the west-end of campus. Now everyone who lives in the Champaign portion of campus who is walking toward the Quad will see and hopefully be challenged by this quote, whomever it is copyrighted by. Get writing, people! Get living! See the life that you live is important. Read, write, live!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Kittens, Coupons, and Falsehoods!
FALSE
I can't help but to giggle at this. Apparently someone doesn't like saving money as much as they love cute baby kittens.
I saw this poster in the women's washroom in Gregory Hall. Thankfully, the first stall I entered wouldn't lock and I ventured into this neighboring one. Oh, how silly students are. You can't seem to bribe them even with saving up to 90% from our "favorite bars, restaurants, and more!" Perhaps the kitten on the poster isn't cute enough. Perhaps she is not worried about saving money because daddy pays for everything. Maybe she's a self-sufficient woman. Maybe she knows a deal when she sees one without the help of an online source. Or maybe someone is just being a sassy pants and doesn't want to admit that sometimes saving money is slightly greater than a cute baby kitty (barely).
Or wait a second... Is it that the cute baby kitty is barely less than saving money? Or is it that the barely cute baby kitty is less than saving money? Because, then I'd have to agree with the latter statement. That kitty is barely cute; so, yes, saving money would be greater than it.
Someone is trying to let us know that we can save money! We're poor college students who have empty pockets and this will save us! Save us! Okay, maybe not, but someone wanted to focus on the kitty part over the actual advertisement. Girls... I'll never understand them.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
PSA
I'm sure men have this problem too. Maybe? Maybe if you have young children.
But I find nothing more frustrating when I'm uncomfortably speed walking down the hall, rush into the bathroom, push the stall door and see the tinkles of a previous female. Not only do I find it absolutely disgusting that the seat either has sprays or a couple drops of urine, but it disgusts me to have to wipe down the seat before I go. Now, don't assume that I wipe then sit. No no no. I wipe. I wipe again. Then I put down three sheets of toilet paper on each side of the bowl and proceed.
If--if--by any chance there is even a little bit of tinklings on the toilet, then it is wiped away! What is so hard about that? The person after you will see what you've done. You've seen what you've done, so why don't you help everyone by cleaning up after yourself. I know this is a little juvenile to state, but it's something to keep in mind at points of our life.
Toilet users all over the world should keep in mind that a happy behind is a clean behind. Wipe your butts and wipe the seat, but not in that order... or at least, please use a new sheet of toilet paper. Let's stay sanitary, folks.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Go confidently!
live the life you’ve always imagined.”
– Henry David Thoreau
The correct quote is: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” Close.
I would have saved this quote until graduation day, but I think it is fitting for all occasions. Every day. Carpe diem. Seize the day.
It’s so fitting that this was written in the English Building’s bathroom. I feel like for English majors—and humanities students, at large—this could not be truer. Despite the fact that modern language programs are being phased out and even English departments are being cut down, we shouldn’t be discourage to learn what we love and to what we’ve always wanted to. We must keep our heads high because what we do is an art and a skill that is secretly desired by all, but are despised by those who have a difficult time appreciating the beauty around them.
One of the well known transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau did write this…or it could be a paraphrase of a section of Walden. However, our female culprit has done an excellent job at exuding confidence to herself and to her readers. Indeed, we must be confident in all that we do and all that we dream. Why can’t we live the life we have imagined? What is holding us back? The fear of not being able to achieve our goals? The pressures from our peers? From our parents? I know a thing or two about pressure from parents and I do not plan on letting that stop me from writing what I want or reading what I want or getting the jobs that I want. I plan on living my life as I had dreamed and working hard to make that dream a reality.
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