Back to School

The start of classes went relatively smoothly. I am taking three courses this semester, all foundations courses to put everyone on the same level to continue our education in the religious studies department. This is a little nerve racking considering half of my class has an undergraduate degree in theology and I've never step foot in a theology classroom before this past Monday. . . But as the professors keep reiterating, that is why they have these courses.

Although I almost lost it yesterday after class, I was able to hold it together and have successfully gotten through my first week of class with NO TEARS! Daddy aren't you so proud. I have to say I was feeling great on Tuesday night, then I had Church History. . . Ugh! We went through history from Resurrection to the 20th century in a two hour session, no break! Of course I understood NOTHING as he whizzed his way through time . . . Thankfully he was just quickly flying through what we will be delving into all semester! I wanted to cry, but I didn't! I reminded myself that it's going to take time but I'll be okay!

As for the actual workload, I was quite surprised with it. People have been doing nothing but filling us with fright since day one about how much work we were going to be doing. . . Honestly it's not that bad! I kept telling people that the reading will not be too difficult for me because my undergrad was in Literature and I was quite use to reading, especially after my hellish semester in 20th century Native American Literature where we read a novel a week. The one thing that frustrates me is everyone's reaction to this statement. They usually start off with a chuckle and then tell me how reading theology is a bit different then reading stories. FIRST OF ALL THEY ARE NOT "STORIES" THEY ARE LITERATURE!!! Second of all being an English major consists of more than just reading Huckleberry Finn! In fact if I remember correctly there is an entire semester devoted to learning how to read and understand literary theory. One would just about be ready to give credit to Mark Twain for his work then comes along Michael Foucault who questions the validity of any work being solely produced by the author. In his essay What is an Author one learns that there is more to a text then the author, there is historical context and cultural context and more to be considered.

Okay, I will stop ranting about literary theory . . . I have to say that there is a small void in my life where I use to spend my days in West Chester discussing these topics. . . But soon I will be delving deeper into the world of theology and that will soon fill that gap in my heart! aaahhh.

In conclusion . . . Things are continuing well here in the great state Ohio!