A New Start

Wednesday, February 21 , 2007

Time for a new start. It isn't often we get new starts, but I am proclaiming one today. Funny how death will make you reconsider everything about your own life.

I am still pursuing this dissertation on the Motor Maids as well as other projects for them. I have continued to give conference presentations about the group and in fact, have one to present tomorrow at a Women's Studies conference. I'm really looking forward to that.

I took my comprehensive exams in the fall and passed two, failed one. Everyone that took the exams failed at least one area. It never makes you feel good, but at least you know you are not alone. And for me, everyone that took the exam I failed, failed it likewise. Hmmmmm, makes you wonder what is going on here, doesn't it? I retake that exam on April the 6th and I have been reading my little heart out in that area. Surely this time I'll pass :o)!!!

Meanwhile, I am attempting to move forward with the dissertation. It is hard to focus on that though when you know you have to pass these exams to even graduate. I am confident, however, that the second time will be the charm and I am moving forward with that confidence.
Hug a friend and kiss you your pet and life will be good!!

Di

THOUGHTS

Monday, April 3, 2006

I am currently writing a narrative that details my first experience of not only wearing the Motor Maid uniform, but my first parade as well. At one point, I had pretty much sworn I would never wear the current uniform, but as the old saying goes, "Never say never." So my story is about how I got from swearing I would never wear the uniform to actually wearing it and the feelings I experienced participating in that first parade. This little "story" is for a conference where I am presenting at the end of this month. It's purpose is to relate that regardless of what the uniform looks like, there is an intense sense of pride when you are associated with such a wonderful group as the Motor Maids. I would be interested in anyone else's experience with their wearing of the uniform for the first timea as well.

Later

ANY IDEAS???

Thursday, March 23, 2006

I completed my Shakespeare presentation on Tuesday and am now working on two presentations for Spenser due this coming Wednesday. Once those are complete, I will only have two papers and two finals to finish out the semester. That is a nice feeling because I only have two summer classes to get through and all of my course work will be completed. Then I'll have comp exams and this dissertation to write.

Still wondering where the Motor Maids got their name from. I'm also wondering what the conotations of being called maids are. Anyone aware of the meaning of Maid or Maids during the 1940s that might be different from what we think of today? I'll have to research that one some more.

I'm headed to the National Popular Culture conference in Atlanta GA at the end of April and I'm presenting a narrative on the first time I ever wore the current uniform and rode in a parade. That paper is going fairly well.

Back to work.

STILL HERE AND KICKING

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Well, spring break is finally here, but I'm much too busy to have any fun. Right now I'm working on a Spenser annotated bibliography, then I have a paper to write for Pop Lit, then a presentation to work on for Shakespeare and one two for Spenser. All of this is due by the end of March.

Since the last post, I have ordered three of the Motor Maids books by Katherine Stokes. I'm still wondering if there is anyone out there who might know if our name has its origins in these children's books. If not, I'm still interested in knowing where our name did originate. Any ideas or speculations would be greatly appreciated.

Well, I have taken enough of a break from my studies, so I will get back at it.

Later

WHERE DID OUR NAME COME FROM

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

I am curious as to where the name "Motor Maids of America" came from!! There was a series of young adult books that were published in the early 20th century known as Motor Maids and I was wondering if anyone had any information as to whether or not Motor Maids of America got their name from those children's books.

Any ideas or suggestions of where to look would be greatly appreciated.

Later

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Saturday, January 07th , 2006

How guilty do I feel???!!!

Well, at least I survived the end of the semester and the holidays. Lots of exciting stuff coming up in the new year.

School starts back up on the 17th of this month and I'm taking Popular Literature and either Shakespeare or Spencer. Haven't decided which yet. Guess I'll attend both classes once and see which one sounds the most interesting. Considering the fact that I'm not interested in either one, it should be an interesting toss up. It's a requirement that I take one more Brit Lit during this period and this is the last required class for me. I hope to audit a Lesbian/Bi-sexual/Transexual class for Seniors. I'd be interested in how they react to the class and what type of discussion they have.

In April I am attending the National popular Culture/American Culture conference in Atlanta and presenting a narrative paper on my first experience parading with the Motor Maids this past annual convention. I'm really looking forward to that and hope to begin writing it this week. I haven't written anything somewhat creative for so long I wonder if I even have the ability.

Well, I hope to update this much more frequently now that things are beginning to gear up again for the Spring semester. Keep checking back frequently for updates on my life in college and my dissertation topic on the Motor Maids.

Later,
Dianna

FOUR MORE WEEKS

Monday, November 07th, 2005

I've decided I just need to vent a little bit and attempt to get things in perspective right now. There are only four more weeks of class left and I need to list all of the upcoming task so that I can have a handle on it.

1) Read Sister Carrie
2) Read The Red Badge of Courage
3) Read The House of Mirth
4) Read Tracks
5) Read The Woman Warrior
6) Read heroes and Saints
7) Write 3 Response Papers
8) Write a 12-15 page seminar paper
9) Write a 15 item annotated bibliography
10) Write an 8 item annotated bibliography on The Red Badge of Courage
11) Write a final exam
12) Rework a website for teaching next semester by the first of December

I think that is everything, I think. Now that it is written down I don't know if I feel better about it or worse. Those annotated Bibs I have to write mean I also have to read all of those articles/books in order to write the annotations. I think I'm having stress pains.

Don't get me wrong, I love school, and believe it or not I am not behind. In fact, I am actually just a little bit ahead. So there has been this much work plus up until this point. I try not to freak out about these things, but sometimes it is difficult for me not to. I'm sure it's not unusual to freak like this. I actually get like this every semester at this time. It just seems so overwhelming.

Well, I have vented. I have also been accepted to the National popular Culture conference this spring and the title of the paper is "Women of the White Gloves: Riding with Pride." It will be my personal narrative on the first time I rode in a Motor Maid parade. I'm looking forward to writing it.

That's enough for now.
Later,
Dianna