Nothing exciting to report

I've been somewhat busy but also not doing anything exciting. The online class I am teaching is mostly grading (and least it feels that way). I do think it's a good teaching experience for me even though I have mixed feelings about it. I am a little grateful that the first time I have to deal with some of the unpleasant aspects of teaching have been done online instead of in person. For example, I am glad that the first time a student swore at me it wasn't face-to-face and that I had time to think about my response before I sent it. I've also been dealing with some plagiarism, which has been eye-opening. I read a recent New York Times article that referred to the students now entering college as 'generation plagiarism.' It was disheartening, apparently students don't feel like they have to cite sources that have more than one author or a anonymous author- such as articles on wikipedia. This seems ridiculous to me. The papers you write are supposed to be your work- if it isn't your words you have to cite it- why is this so hard to understand? I don't care who wrote something if it isn't you- you shouldn't put your name on it. Period.

I feel like I should print a huge disclaimer on all of my syllabi, something like- I HATE CHEATERS, IF YOU CHEAT I WILL NAIL YOU TO THE WALL. Sadly I doubt this will discourage everyone. I think students delude themselves into thinking they can get away with it.

On the bright side- Rusty is awesome and cheers me up when the cheaters in the world get me down.

Sister Suffragette!

In honor of the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment...

Pirate Golf!

It only took me two years to get there- but I finally played pirate mini-golf at Pirate's Cove. Here is another reason for you (readers who know me) to come visit Williamsburg- so I can kick your a** at Pirate Golf.

Ok, not really. I came in third (a.k.a. last) when I played my sister and cousin during their recent visit- so you can come to Williamsburg and have a boast to your self-esteem when you beat me at pirate golf.

It was fun and educational- I learned a lot about pirates while enjoying a lively game of mini-golf. I didn't have my camera with me so the pictures (taken with my phone) aren't the best quality but you get the idea-


One of the holes was in the cave- it's hard to make out- but cool anyway.








can you see the pirate in the above picture?

The Oregon Trail

Is it strange that I had never heard of this game until I moved East?

too funny (and I'm not even a Star Wars fan)

Thoughts on NIAHD (and Keio too)

I have been busily grading papers for NIAHD (I only have 2 left!!!) and setting up my online class (only NINE weeks to go!!!) so I haven't posted anything here in a few days. Trust me, I'd rather be sharing pictures with you than grading papers.

Keio starts next week and I am a little sad I won't be working for them again. I am not sad that i will have some free time and will be able to visit with some family and friends who are coming to Virginia and to possibly work on my dissertation- oh and to teach the online class of course- but I am sad I won't get to hang out with some awesome students (because if this year's Keio students and even half as great as last year's it is going to be a good time).

NIAHD was a great experience. It was very different from Keio- for me the best part of Keio were my amazing students but I didn't really get to know the students with NIAHD because I was kind of like a substitute teacher- but I still had fun and I got to see a lot more of Virginia. Virginia is an amazing place to study history- the 'field trips' were totally worth suffering through the incredible heat and humidity well, mostly worth it (seriously it is disgusting here this summer- we have yet another heat advisory today- my family and friends who are coming to see me don't know what they are getting into to- no one is going to want to leave my air-conditioned apartment- I certainly don't want to. Ever. So gross). I also got to work with some amazing people. I love american studies but it was nice to get back to my history roots. And the one useful thing about the disgusting weather is that I think it really helped the students realize how difficult life was for a lot of our ancestors- especially the millions of Africans who were brought here as slaves.

All that said, it is really nice to be able to sit on my couch, with my faithful dog snuggled next to a me, and to waste some time on the internet. (Inside. Where its air-conditioned).

Last NIAHD Field Trip

Our last trip was to Yorktown- the 19th century class started out there and the Colonial class ended there- so I got to go there twice. And I have been there before. So it was less than exciting.

I do have some pictures to share but not much to say. Sorry, I have kind of fizzled out here at the end.

The first two pictures are of the battlefield.







And this is the monument celebrating the victory at Yorktown.



We also stopped by the Yorktown Victory Center- I posted about it already (from the 19th century class' visit) but last time I didn't make it back to the encampment.