Monday update

Up at 6:00 am thinking study plan. Scrounged a tea bag and a little sugar and was glad to find someone had made hot water in the coffee pot in the lounge. I hope it was intended to share.

Trying to narrow things down, yet be specific. Still tucked away in my room and even though it is just Monday the schedule ramps up again. The afternoon schedule is filled with things that end in REQUIRED FOR NEW STUDENTS

One scheduled item I have written “highly recommended” next to it. Even so I will skip it because my advisor has scheduled a separate group meeting where we all show our work. I don’t want to miss hearing what others have done. Then is an individual meeting with my advisor from 2-2:30. She said to come with a complete study plan. Remember G1’s have two study plans, one for the entire 2 ½ years another for the term. Last night in a meeting everyone said, write “does not apply “ when the overall study plan asks for practicum. I don’t know if I can get away with that, but I will for now. See if it applies. Still there is much to do. Because my only free time to work on it is during eating. It would be o.k. to hide away and not eat socially. In fact at residency I find that the further into the week I go the more I separate myself from the group. As I describe it everyone here vibrates at a very high level. Picture it every one shaking back and forth very quickly. That is what it feels like to me. It is contrary to what theplace is supposed to be- Vermont relax, go with the flow etc. But “the process seems” to initiate that vibration in each person, thus the reason why I must get away. Even at meetings I would prefer to sit outside of the group. Funny now that I think about it, I have been called on it by a couple of leaders of the group. It looks like I’m not engaged, and in a way I am not. But it is more than that it is moving to ground myself. It is just what I need. And that is what you should do for yourself when in residency. All that said, there is a time when I say. I just cannot go down to the cafeteria, as I think I mentioned. But I do and I have a wonderful conversation.

So I must wake early to see what I can get done on this plan. Enough journaling. The tea and study plan are calling.


The graduates have all left and it is the day to get down to business. I did a very rough draft of both the overall study plan and the plan for this semester. Handed it into my adviser and am looking forward to getting it back and finalizing it. Groups and individuals are meeting with their advisers all over the campus. They are focused. Yes, the atmosphere changes on Monday.


The afternoon went well, but by dinner time I had such a hankering to get off of campus. I’d love to find someone with a car that would like to sneak off for dinner. I’d definitely go to Sardducees in Montpelier. The Required afternoon workshops were o.k. but exhausting. I made it through dinner with my eyes glazed over.

With all my work done in the evening it was a great realize. I skipped anything after dinner and came back to my room. I suppose I could have found a “group” to hang with or even wander around campus and chill, but instead I opted for my pj’s, a bag of granola, a bottle of water and to do nothing. Well I searched the internet for a movie to watch and found a Japanese cartoon called “spirited away.” It was actually quite good. I played it on my lap top as I snuggled in bed in my dorm room. Not very social, but it was good for me. I was in bed asleep by 10 or 10:30.

I keep trying to sneak away...

I keep saying I’m going to sneak away and do my studyplan, however something keeps getting in the way.

There was a little controversy about if there should be an art show or not, instead they had something called considered spaces. I’m not really sure what the difference is but the powers at be were dead said against having a room to show. I guess it was the confines of the room, it should be allowed to be displayed or walked upon or whatever. Though after installation I am not sure how it is different.

To be perfectly honest some of the things at residency make me feel a bit out of place. My art is commission art and I create through other people’s desire. I rarely create just to create, and I think that others here feel that somehow I am missing out by not doing so, that I am not allowing myself to have an experience. Though my own experience is one that is quite rewarding and always inquisitive. Now that I am writing about this I’m really not sure how to explain it. My work is explored through my clients. It is months and months of searching and exploring as I work with the person who commissions me to create the life-size bronze of the loved one and help them through their grief. I’m perfectly happy to put them up for others to see, and even talk about the work, the process my exploration to this point, and in that sharing further enlightenment happens. So that is what I have done. To make a long story short, considered spaces was experienced and the pieces were displayed. The show looks great and I can’t wait to post pictures. I promise I will get there. I have posted them to my facebook but not to the blog yet.

I tried desperately to work in the library on their computers however, the noises and movement distract me so. I’m locking myself in the room and not coming out until graduation ceremony. More later.

Everyone vibrates at a very high level here. It is exhausting and I find I must retreat to my cocoon. The same thing happened at Vermont College. By Monday I’m saying, “I just can’t go down and eat at the cafeteria one more time.” I have considered taking my lunch out. But then I sit down and I meet someone and I think, I’m glad I came in here today. Still, I need more down time, to be away from the vibration. I’m so glad I have a quiet alone space called my dorm room.

Day 2- we get our advisors meet our groups

Here I am posting again, from my dorm room in Kilpatrik. Someone responded and actually is reading this blog. I had always thought it would be for new people coming in, but instead it is alum. Hi alum. Glad to be a part of your memories. Please forgive the typing errors.

My room in Kilpatrick is facing the community center. The view is blocked outside my window by a yellow and white tent put up for the graduates who want to graduate outdoors, and I am sure are praying, visualizing or doing their own individual rituals to facilitate nice weather. I’m so thrilled that this dorm room does not have the tin outside the window- see previous posts. Last night I awoke and thought, “Is it raining?” And was pleased I could ask the question instead of being awoke by the drumbeat of the rain on tin.

Though most G1’s don’t understand this process that we are instructed to trust, I feel at home. Still they also don’t know that the energy will change after graduation when those who have worked so hard have done their jobs and now must face the world and leaving the confines of this creative space. For them it is exhilarating and sad. That is the way it felt when I left Vermont College.

Today was they day they posted the advisors. People clamored around the board wondering, did they make the team? I had no expectations and was not given a choice as a G1. “ I have who I have,” was my motto. It will work or I simply will ask my advisor, “Can we make this work?” My advisor has apparently been here for about 7 years. Judy Hiramoto. I know I will have to defend my study, because as you have read, from previous posts I must have graduate level course equivalents in sculpting even though I have as others state, “achieved graduate level work.” It is like being caught between a rock and a hard place. Of course there is a way I will define this study, and once I have my study plan approved I’ll post it for others to look at. What your study plan online? Exposure to the max!

There are two study plans due. One is for the entire program. Yes it sound overwhelming but it is not really. Then why am I blogging instead of doing it?

The other is for the semester. Then there is the bibliography. Now I am wondering if there are two, one for each. I’ll have to check that out.

I want to focus on writing my study plans, and know how I am. Funny. There is something about where I am sitting, the position etc. that prompts me to think in a certain way. Because I have switched from laptop to desktop, I’m considering working in the lab for a while. I’m not focusing the way I would at my dektop. Maybe If I go to the computer lab it will prompt a different portion of my brain. “Someone should do a study on that,” your place in space and brain retention and activity. Plus this laptop is hot on my lap!

I asked several advanced students today their suggestions and I thought I should post them here. Some I may have recorded before.

1. Annotate your cumulative bib. It will save you tons of time in your final semester.
2. Don’t wait too long to think about your practicum.
3. Don’t be too specific in your overall study plan.
4. Advisors are here to help.
5. Any question is a good question.
6. Underline your responses to the books and make use of RefWorks
7. Trust the process, “Breath”.
8. Enjoy every minute of it.
9. Write a lot but don’t forget to work.

….

I left campus for a trip to Walmart. Playing hooky. This was so cool. We went through Montpelier, and the Sculpture of Dick Hathaway was roped off. Apparently he was attending a wedding. On the way back the wedding was over, and I got to see Dick one more time. The wedding party put flowers in his hands and when I walked up people were interacting with him. Living in Texas I don’t get to see interaction. It warmed my heart to see just that. I’ll post pictures of that later.

There are things going on in the Haybarn, and presentations through the evening. But instead I believe I will take my pen drive over the computer lab. Time to get to work.

a long day

It is 6:30pm and the first time I have had to take a break. It has been one orientation after another. Student Id's taken, registration, learn about library services go over "the process" There are 31 new people and we follow each other around the campus. i hear this is the biggest "new group" or group of G1's they have had. A G1 is Graduate 1. We are artists, dancers, theater, video, just about everything you can imagine.

I was able to move to another room. I’m hoping this one will be better, though it is right next to the showers and bathroom so that is debatable. It beat lugging all of my junk up the hill to the other dorms. It will be important for me to really scope out these dorms to find one that will be a good place to chill for next semester. Taking into consideration that the semester will be in snow. Something this Texan is not used to.

One of the orientation meetings was at the library. I think they probably should put on the schedule that it takes about 10 minutes to walk there. I so glad another student said, “follow this trail, wait until you think you are lost and go a little further.” Sure enough there in the middle of the woods at the end of the trail was a really nice library. I can’t wait to check it out in more detail. I’m pretty much a nut about libraries.

I’m thankful the meals here are good and accommodating to the individual needs of the student. So far I have been very pleased.

I thought rain on a tin roof was supposed to be soothing?

I woke up early this morning about 5 am. Which is strange because Houston time is an hour earlier. It is probably because my room window is over a shed with a tin roof and it is raining. this is supposed to be soothing right? My it is loud in here. The window is open with a fan. It is also directly under the stairs. It is not the quietest of rooms. I had thought about asking to move. I hate to make a fuss and I also hate to change everything. Settle in again. Take my mattress cover off and remake the bed etc. I don’t want to be a bother but I also know that residency can take a lot out of you. It is up to me to make myself as comfortable as possible so that I can get as much out of the experience as possible.

Breakfast is not until 7:45. I have a tea cup but did not bring a tea bag. A cup of hot tea would be nice about now. I hope to be able to get an extra from the cafeteria. I’m glad I brought a cup. I was thinking I wish I had a travel mug. But I always like to have a glass mug in my hands in the morning. There is something very comforting about the feel of a mug with hot tea.

Maybe I’ll hit the gift shop. A water bottle would be nice but of course a plastic water bottle from the cafeteria will work, if I can get one. I’m saving mine from the trip, because I bought this small room humidifier just incase the air is dry here. It requires a small bottle. I ordered the humidifier from Amazon and it has not arrived. I’m very thankful that low humidity not a problem. I will prepare for that in winter. In Vermont College during undergrad studies a young women brought one each year. She packed it in her suitcase, used it during the day and let me have it at night. It was great. I’m so used to Texas humidity that the winter dry air with heat is hard on my skin, nose and breathing at night. I’ll also want to find a dorm where I can control the heat in winter. You would think that coming from Texas I would be used to the heat. But really we sleep with AC all of the time. So sleeping in heat is not a good thing for me. I’d rather be cold and cuddle under blankets. Winter residency is in, I think February, more questions to ask.

arriving last night

It was a very long day with many flights and many delays. I’m surprised I’m sitting here typing at 10:57 in my dorm room and not still in the air. It is a blessing that I made it in when I did, even if that was several hours after when I was supposed to arrive.
The dorms are adequate, after all we are on a farm. I’m thrilled to have my own room where I can chill by myself. I met some fun people on he airplane and a gemologist let me hold an emerald. I thought that was cool and a wonderful way to start a residency. I went to the gathering that was happening in some building here last night where everyone was. I Introduced myself to one person and a couple others on the way home. “trust the process” is the same motto from Vermont College.

When at residency at Vermont I took it upon myself to call each new member of the that college, and be sure I looked them up when they arrived. If possible I would like to take that same position. I sure wish someone would have done it for me. Though I must admit the young lady at Everyweher Taxi was very helpful. In fact she was kind enough to take a jaunt over to the old campus in Montpelier and see my sculpture of Dick Hathaway. I am so glad we did for without a car I don't think I would have had the opportunity. the bronze is exposed on his shoe and I wonder why. Usually that happens from rubbing. I picture little children sitting on that shoe and taking a ride. It felt good to start residency by seeing Dick. I did long for the montpelier campus. I wonder if I'll have that same feeling here?

I have looked over the schedule and see how jam packed it is. But I’m up for the challenge and know quite a bit of how this process works from coming from Vermont College Union Institute, after all they bought the program from Goddard. So it is off to bed. More next break.

First day of residency- jump in?

When I was a little girl we often would go swimming as a family. My siblings would jump in the water and splash about and I would stand on the edge in anticipation.

Jumping into a pool was new to me, as I had recently just learned to swim. Prior to jumping in I was always assisted by an adult. Now that I was grown up, or at least grown up enough to swim unassisted, I would enter the water, in my own ritualistic way. First, I would test the water wondering about the temperature and anticipating that feeling of chill that would run through my body the moment I jumped in. Sure once you were used to the water it was fine, and my siblings always encourage me “jump, jump.” Instead I would walk to the other side and test the water there, as if that would really make any difference. If there were steps or a ladder I would slowly try that way. Hoping my older siblings would be distracted with other antics and not turn to splashing me. but always when I entered the water and when the water would get to my waist I would shiver and pause. Usually my hands were held above the water as if they were bouncing off of some invisible pillow of air. My teeth would shiver and I would walk on tippy toes. The process of getting in was a long one. And indeed once I was used to the water it was fine. In fact one game my best friend, Susy and I would play was to get out of the pool and run around the outside of her house screaming “andalay, andalay areeba, areeba!” Something we picked up from the cartoon Speedy Gonzales. Because we had let the air hit our wet bodies, when we would jump back into the pool the water felt like bathwater. It was amazing. But getting into a pool took some work. And let me state, it was not an unpleasant experience, just my way of doing it.

I’m not sure why that experience of entering the pool is what I am thinking about as I come to Goddard College for my first semester in the graduate program. Perhaps I feel like I’m on the edge testing the water, watching the others play. I’m completely content to go at my own pace until I can immerse myself.

The day before residency

I leave bright and early in the morning. Packing and trying to remember all the things I used to need at residency, and those things that I can anticipate needing— power strip, adapter, my fan that I sleep with for the noise, clothes of course. If it is going to rain, will I need extra shoes? I also packed an umbrella, my computer and also pen drive for transferring data. What else, well it is best to go and look than to continue to talk about it. It is a long day of flying.

I'm excited and thrilled, and wondering what new friends I will make? How do the other newbies feel? How will those who are graduating inspire me to study? What will the atmosphere be like? will it be like Vermont College residency?

It hits me....

I have been on a horrible schedule with little sleep and huge deadlines that ended last night. Today is really the first day I could think about school. I leave that day after tomorrow. Today it hits me. I can't help but wonder, "am I doing the right thing?" I'm exhausted, and that is not a good way to enter into a residency week. I sure hope I can pull it all together.

Penny pinching, thrifty or curious?

This is the part I hate. One bill came in from Goddard- via e mail two days ago. Another came in yesterday, via-email. I am surprised I even saw these as they were in my junk. You would think that if some of your first contact is going to be with those who are taking your money they would at least call. what if I had not seen the e mail? After speaking with them there is yet another invoice, reflecting my deposit, that is a different amount than e mail one and email two. I have learned e-mail is undependable. I'm surprised the college would depend upon it for some of the first contacts for the school.

This note was also on the e mail.
Failure to pay the outstanding balance by 11 am on registration day will result in the 110 late payment fee being charged. The did write on the bill ( for future reference only, not applicable to new students).

Here are some more things I found out, after getting a hold of someone there to talk to.

they usually bill 7 weeks prior to registration, for ongoing students.
You money needs to be received 10 days before registartion

Board charges- which I have confirmed is food is mandatory. $305 dollars to eat for a week. That is over 43 dollars a day. Wow. I probably could eat quite well on 43 a day.

I know.. it may sound like I am penny pinching, but I do watch where my money is going. If I want the board charge waved I need to spake to a Paul Shper. That would only be done if there were health reasons.

I have been eating vegan for about 7 months now. Plus I am allergic to soy. It makes planning meals quite difficult. On to calling the chef. which I have tried to do through e mail. See e mail is undependable.

Please don't lose my luggage

I'm reminded of how each semester someone would have their luggage lost while flying into the Burlington airport. Please don't lose my luggage. It happened to me once.

Still no cab ride.

Still no ride from airport to campus. I did call everywhere taxi in people are coming in that day and have signed up, but of course everyone is coming in early. I have a strong suspicion that I am coming from the farthest distance. I'm already leaving at 8 in the morning from Texas. Hate to spend that 100 for a ride.

Where is the student list?

When I went to Vermont College I loved that they would send you a list of students and their numbers and e mails prior to residency. I would call every new student and be sure they were welcomed to the program. It was my quest. I made myself the welcoming committee. So where is the welcoming committee for Goddard, or where is the roster? It would be nice.

At least I found a few new students on facebook. As I said I have an overwhelming urge to chat about the new endeavor, but there is no one to talk to. Those having the same feelings and coming across this blog, might feel like... they have found a friend.

College Loans?

When I was doing my undergraduate work at Vermont College I did take out student loans, the stafford loans. The company I chose to do this with was VSAC VSAC.org. I have been very happy with them and decided to continue our relationship.

called VSAC today and they are sending a request for certification for my Stafford loans. Of course I don't want all that is offered me, so I will need to designate what I want. Now it is on to calling the financial aid office to take care of that.

Oh yes, housing e mailed me. I have a dorm room.

College Loans?

Need a ride from the airport?

Two weeks to go and I'm now thinking, "hate to spend $100. on a cab ride from the airport" Yes I hear that is what it cost. It cost about $75 to get to Montpelier and undergraduate school. So it makes sense.

So this was my plan of action

posted on the facebook page my desire to share cab ride.
Called Matthew at the help desk at Goddard. He said he would put it on "first Class"
As I understand it "First Class" is the schools intranet system. As a new student I cannot get into that. Instead I he will post it. Then he said there is actually a dry erase board on campus in the community center for those who want to post. Or course this works better when you are leaving campus.

Then Everywhere taxi 802-878-3623 Often will try to group people together. They are also familiar with the drive coming to campus. I'll wait until next week to call them. Maybe I'll get lucky with finding someone coming in and having a car or something.

I leave in two weeks?

It can't be. It came so fast. Do I really want to get on this ride? I mean it is a long ride. A 2 1/2 year ride. Graduate school. I still think I am nuts, but I am excited about meeting all of the creative people and being stimulated in the way that only that type of education can. Here I go. My word... I should put together a packing list.

Must get financial aid loan secured
Must send in housing information. DONE- emailed it.
Must find someone who can share the ride from the airport on the 23rd.
Must send chef my "special food" request. DONE - emailed it.
Packing list.

Will I be the only one paying for college loans with Social Security?

Will I be the only one paying for college loans with Social Security?
I think not. As many people my age, and older are in school. It is worth the investment. It will be so much fun to be with other people who are creative and stimulated. Working in a studio I don't see many creative people. OF course my husband is very creative, and we love creating together, but it is different with others. Looking forward to the change. I should begin a packing list.

Lonely...

There is this real lonely feeling just before your first residency. You don't know anyone. There is a need for more information, more connection to the place that you will be connect to for 2 1/2 years. I hope one day someone who has goggled "Goddard College" and perhaps "blog" or "suggestions" or "whatever" will find this blog and feel like they have some contact.

I still have the mountain of paper work that must be sent in on loans and such, but I have deadlines and an elderly parents that I am caregiver for. Plus a huge deadline on this book that I am writing. So, I have put it off for another few days. Is this a reflection on what school will be like?