God is good
My nephew had successful surgery today to remove bone chips and relieve the compression on his spine from his surfing accident. The doctors do not anticipate any lasting problems from this injury, and he gets to go home tomorrow! (Spouse says it's probably an HMO pushing him out of the hospital, ha ha).
He has three long, boring months ahead of him. He has to wear a neck brace and cannot go to school, work, the beach, in the car, etc. But he is not paralyzed and that is a miraculous thing.
Thanks to all who wrote me and prayed for him. Please remember him over the next few months as he heals completely.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
A day of pain and anger
This weekend was spent grading term papers for my online class. I routinely submit written work to Turnitin.com, even though I can usually spot a plagiarized paper a mile away. Well, I spotted not one, not two, but 16 papers with substantial amounts of copied material.
I e-mailed my colleague who administers the program I teach for, and the graduate coordinator who will decide whether these 16 students are expelled or suspended. I downloaded the Turnitin reports and the academic dishonesty template I would have to fill out for each student. My colleague told me he had six in his class who plagiarized their final exam, and would be getting an F in his course. That made me feel less alone but not necessarily better, especially when I found out most on his list overlapped with mine.
For some odd reason, my uni decided that the last day of grading would be a good time to do some major electrical work. The department chair e-mailed me early this morning and asked me to be sure to get the grades in by noon, as the power was going to be shut off to most of the campus. Grades were supposed to be in at 11:55 p.m., and since I knew there were 16 students who were going to be very upset at their marks, I was counting on submitting them at the last possible moment.
But, I submitted them at noon as he asked. Sure enough, I started to get the emails questioning the grade and then protesting innocence. I ignored them all, and concentrated on filling out academic dishonesty forms. The office staff told students that I was not available today, and most of them left. Except for one. He sat in the hall outside our suite and periodically came in to ask if I was still there. At one point, he asked a professor whose office opened into the hall to come into the office with him and ask to see me. The office staff told her that he already had my e-mail and office number, and that I wasn't seeing students that day. He asked if I knew it was him waiting to see me. They reiterated that I wasn't seeing students.
The complicating factor here is that my nephew was injured in a surfing accident, and we were waiting for news about his MRI and also trying to get in contact with my parents who are overseas on a missions trip. I needed to get my paperwork done and get out of the office so I could concentrate on relaying messages to my family.
When I finished the forms, I put them in the interoffice mail and got ready to leave. By this time, I'd gotten 15 or so e-mails about grades. One of my co-workers offered to walk out with me, as this student was still hanging around. We got almost to the parking lot when we saw he was following behind. He called to me a couple times, and I called back that I was not seeing students that day. Thankfully, he finally stopped following me.
This student should never have been let into the program. He is simply not capable of graduate level work, and he was hoping to get an A in my course so he could graduate. Actually, an A in my course would not have raised his GPA sufficiently--so regardless, I could not have helped him. An F surely must have devastated him. I feel really bad for this student, because he did the best he could but it fell so far short of even adequate.
It was too much going on for one day. The good news is we got in touch with my parents, my nephew is to have surgery tomorrow, his prognosis is good, and he has no motor impairment. I'm going to concentrate on that instead of the unhappy sixteen.
This weekend was spent grading term papers for my online class. I routinely submit written work to Turnitin.com, even though I can usually spot a plagiarized paper a mile away. Well, I spotted not one, not two, but 16 papers with substantial amounts of copied material.
I e-mailed my colleague who administers the program I teach for, and the graduate coordinator who will decide whether these 16 students are expelled or suspended. I downloaded the Turnitin reports and the academic dishonesty template I would have to fill out for each student. My colleague told me he had six in his class who plagiarized their final exam, and would be getting an F in his course. That made me feel less alone but not necessarily better, especially when I found out most on his list overlapped with mine.
For some odd reason, my uni decided that the last day of grading would be a good time to do some major electrical work. The department chair e-mailed me early this morning and asked me to be sure to get the grades in by noon, as the power was going to be shut off to most of the campus. Grades were supposed to be in at 11:55 p.m., and since I knew there were 16 students who were going to be very upset at their marks, I was counting on submitting them at the last possible moment.
But, I submitted them at noon as he asked. Sure enough, I started to get the emails questioning the grade and then protesting innocence. I ignored them all, and concentrated on filling out academic dishonesty forms. The office staff told students that I was not available today, and most of them left. Except for one. He sat in the hall outside our suite and periodically came in to ask if I was still there. At one point, he asked a professor whose office opened into the hall to come into the office with him and ask to see me. The office staff told her that he already had my e-mail and office number, and that I wasn't seeing students that day. He asked if I knew it was him waiting to see me. They reiterated that I wasn't seeing students.
The complicating factor here is that my nephew was injured in a surfing accident, and we were waiting for news about his MRI and also trying to get in contact with my parents who are overseas on a missions trip. I needed to get my paperwork done and get out of the office so I could concentrate on relaying messages to my family.
When I finished the forms, I put them in the interoffice mail and got ready to leave. By this time, I'd gotten 15 or so e-mails about grades. One of my co-workers offered to walk out with me, as this student was still hanging around. We got almost to the parking lot when we saw he was following behind. He called to me a couple times, and I called back that I was not seeing students that day. Thankfully, he finally stopped following me.
This student should never have been let into the program. He is simply not capable of graduate level work, and he was hoping to get an A in my course so he could graduate. Actually, an A in my course would not have raised his GPA sufficiently--so regardless, I could not have helped him. An F surely must have devastated him. I feel really bad for this student, because he did the best he could but it fell so far short of even adequate.
It was too much going on for one day. The good news is we got in touch with my parents, my nephew is to have surgery tomorrow, his prognosis is good, and he has no motor impairment. I'm going to concentrate on that instead of the unhappy sixteen.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Back in grading jail
I returned from the conference late Wednesday evening and it was early Thursday morning before I got to bed. Went to campus for two MS defenses and to sign off on a credit by experience dossier.
Yesterday was Commencement. What a beautiful, happy day! Gorgeous weather, not too hot, no rain--just perfect. Everyone was smiling.
Today--back in grading jail. Final grades are due Tuesday, and I have 36 term papers to read and grade by then.
The parental units are in Zambia for a missions trip, so that means Youngest Daughter and I must go over there and water the plants today. We will also take in a movie. Haven't decided between the new Indiana Jones movie or Prince Caspian.
I returned from the conference late Wednesday evening and it was early Thursday morning before I got to bed. Went to campus for two MS defenses and to sign off on a credit by experience dossier.
Yesterday was Commencement. What a beautiful, happy day! Gorgeous weather, not too hot, no rain--just perfect. Everyone was smiling.
Today--back in grading jail. Final grades are due Tuesday, and I have 36 term papers to read and grade by then.
The parental units are in Zambia for a missions trip, so that means Youngest Daughter and I must go over there and water the plants today. We will also take in a movie. Haven't decided between the new Indiana Jones movie or Prince Caspian.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
REALLY annoying stuff
I just got this e-mail from someone at my uni:
Then, at a panel discussion on how we can help Homeland Security with deterrence efforts, some bozo starts spouting the stuff about giving up civil liberties. Excuse me? What civil liberties have you given up, sir? Can you list them? Did you even know what the Bill of Rights was? Is that just a party line you are spewing--do you have any idea what you are saying, or are you just parroting a talking head? And please, don't misquote my Uncle Ben. Grrrrrr.
One more thing---the people in the room next to me have a problem with opening and shutting the sliding door to the bathroom. They slam it open and they slam it shut. Often. They must have the runs. My whole doggone wall shakes. Grrrrrr.
I just got this e-mail from someone at my uni:
Local social justice organizations, including the Committee on Latin America (CLA) will again this year participate in the Cuba Friendshipment, donating goods to ordinary Cubans who are severely affected by the United States’ economic embargo against Cuba. The donation drive is lead by the national Pastors for Peace organization.Excuse me? How about ordinary Cubans are severely affected by a totalitarian regime interested only in remaining in power and doesn't give a crap about their lives? Grrrrr. One of my colleagues responded to the entire list with a much more sweetly worded rebuttal than mine, for which I thanked him. Grrrrrr.
Then, at a panel discussion on how we can help Homeland Security with deterrence efforts, some bozo starts spouting the stuff about giving up civil liberties. Excuse me? What civil liberties have you given up, sir? Can you list them? Did you even know what the Bill of Rights was? Is that just a party line you are spewing--do you have any idea what you are saying, or are you just parroting a talking head? And please, don't misquote my Uncle Ben. Grrrrrr.
One more thing---the people in the room next to me have a problem with opening and shutting the sliding door to the bathroom. They slam it open and they slam it shut. Often. They must have the runs. My whole doggone wall shakes. Grrrrrr.
Blogging from the conference Part Deux
Random stuff:
Random stuff:
- I wish I had a pair of nail clippers. My fingernails grow really fast and I hate long fingernails and it's bugging me.
- I wish I had more money. Stuff is very expensive.
- I wish I could buy these bathrobes! Well, I could, but they are $90.
- My talk went much better than I expected. Go figure.
- I still don't have the online exam done and uploaded, and it's got to be done by noon my time.
- Thunderbooming and raining today.
- It's time for breakfast!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Blogging from the conference
I'm still on East Coast time, so it's 6 a.m. here and I've been awake since about 4:30. Today is my session (I'm session chair and the last speaker) then my obligations are done and the rest of the time here I can either attend sessions or just walk around the city. I'd go on a couple tours but the cost is pretty high (everything is costly here) so I think I may just do the walkabout thing. It's going to rain today but I have a jacket and the hotel lends out umbrellas.
Finally finished grading the homework assignments for my online classes. One student wrote me an e-mail pretty much accusing me of not reading his submission through, and wanting a regrade. Interestingly, he cites the grades and feedback some of his friends got as reasons why he should get a better grade. Well, if they are sharing grades and feedback, what ELSE are they sharing? Hmmm? I hope he isn't holding his breath waiting for an answer.
I got some wonderful gifts for Mother's Day--Youngest Daughter gave me a set of Chicago Cutlery knives, and wow are they sharp! Sharp looking, too. I really like the partoku knife, it cuts chunks of chocolate really well. ;-) Seriously, though, good sharp knives make food prep a lot easier. More stir fry for Youngest Daughter!
Eldest Daughter and Son collaborated on a Roomba. It arrived last week, and I promptly put it to use. What a hoot! It waddles slightly as it wanders around the floor, inadvertently chasing the cat. Kitty Son took off for the bedroom as soon as I turned it on, although he came out a bit later to investigate what it was doing. Kitty Mama jumped back a few feet at first, then was studiously ignoring the thing until it headed straight for her. The Roomba cleans very well; in about an hour it had done the living room, dining area, hall, kitchen, and bathroom. I haven't let it into the bedrooms yet, because I need to get all the books off the floor first.
Let's see, what else...Oh the trip here. That was fun. Not. We flew from UniTown to BigCanadianCity in a tiny, tiny prop plane with only one seat on each side of the aisle. SUPER tiny. The pilots opened the doorway to the cockpit so we could see what they were doing, which was really interesting. Just as we were landing we hit a crosscurrent of air and the plane slewed sideways a bit, which was exciting. Once we arrived I had to find Customs. Turns out the guys on the plane forgot to give me the customs card to fill out, and I had to go back to a desk and find one. Then of course, no pen. Fished a purple pen out of my bag and filled the thing out like Harold's Purple Crayon.
Then, find my way to the gate. Not as easy as one would think--signs are not helpful. Went through security AGAIN and got to the gate when my plane was already boarding. No time for potty stops or food (thank goodness for the POCKY Youngest Daughter stashed in my bag!). I was seated next to a very nice but very large guy who promptly went to sleep, which meant I couldn't get out to go to the bathroom for the five hour trip. Watched 27 Dresses (not bad). Read a bit. When we finally arrived I eft the plane and headed for the bathroom, where I realized I didn't have my phone any longer. Ran back to the plane and found it wedged in the cushion.
Then I had to find a ride to the hotel. There's this thing called an Airporter that's a bus that stops at all the major hotels. Paid for a round trip ticket, only to find out the 2:30 bus was full and I'd have to wait until 3. 3 comes and goes, and at 3:10 the ticket lady came out and said the bus was late but on its way. Well, it got there and it was not only late, it was full. The driver shut the door when I was next to get on. So I had to wait another 10 minutes for the next bus. Also very full, but at least I was the first one on. HOT HOT HOT--no AC at all. So, two hours after my plane landed I finally got to the hotel.
It's a very nice hotel with a super comfy bed and wonderful bathrobes...ahhhhhhhhhh. Wish I could take one home with me, but it would probably fill up my entire suitcase and it's probably also very expensive.
Off to breakfast--the conference is supplying continental breakfast today and tomorrow, and I am definitely going to take advantage of it!
I'm still on East Coast time, so it's 6 a.m. here and I've been awake since about 4:30. Today is my session (I'm session chair and the last speaker) then my obligations are done and the rest of the time here I can either attend sessions or just walk around the city. I'd go on a couple tours but the cost is pretty high (everything is costly here) so I think I may just do the walkabout thing. It's going to rain today but I have a jacket and the hotel lends out umbrellas.
Finally finished grading the homework assignments for my online classes. One student wrote me an e-mail pretty much accusing me of not reading his submission through, and wanting a regrade. Interestingly, he cites the grades and feedback some of his friends got as reasons why he should get a better grade. Well, if they are sharing grades and feedback, what ELSE are they sharing? Hmmm? I hope he isn't holding his breath waiting for an answer.
I got some wonderful gifts for Mother's Day--Youngest Daughter gave me a set of Chicago Cutlery knives, and wow are they sharp! Sharp looking, too. I really like the partoku knife, it cuts chunks of chocolate really well. ;-) Seriously, though, good sharp knives make food prep a lot easier. More stir fry for Youngest Daughter!
Eldest Daughter and Son collaborated on a Roomba. It arrived last week, and I promptly put it to use. What a hoot! It waddles slightly as it wanders around the floor, inadvertently chasing the cat. Kitty Son took off for the bedroom as soon as I turned it on, although he came out a bit later to investigate what it was doing. Kitty Mama jumped back a few feet at first, then was studiously ignoring the thing until it headed straight for her. The Roomba cleans very well; in about an hour it had done the living room, dining area, hall, kitchen, and bathroom. I haven't let it into the bedrooms yet, because I need to get all the books off the floor first.
Let's see, what else...Oh the trip here. That was fun. Not. We flew from UniTown to BigCanadianCity in a tiny, tiny prop plane with only one seat on each side of the aisle. SUPER tiny. The pilots opened the doorway to the cockpit so we could see what they were doing, which was really interesting. Just as we were landing we hit a crosscurrent of air and the plane slewed sideways a bit, which was exciting. Once we arrived I had to find Customs. Turns out the guys on the plane forgot to give me the customs card to fill out, and I had to go back to a desk and find one. Then of course, no pen. Fished a purple pen out of my bag and filled the thing out like Harold's Purple Crayon.
Then, find my way to the gate. Not as easy as one would think--signs are not helpful. Went through security AGAIN and got to the gate when my plane was already boarding. No time for potty stops or food (thank goodness for the POCKY Youngest Daughter stashed in my bag!). I was seated next to a very nice but very large guy who promptly went to sleep, which meant I couldn't get out to go to the bathroom for the five hour trip. Watched 27 Dresses (not bad). Read a bit. When we finally arrived I eft the plane and headed for the bathroom, where I realized I didn't have my phone any longer. Ran back to the plane and found it wedged in the cushion.
Then I had to find a ride to the hotel. There's this thing called an Airporter that's a bus that stops at all the major hotels. Paid for a round trip ticket, only to find out the 2:30 bus was full and I'd have to wait until 3. 3 comes and goes, and at 3:10 the ticket lady came out and said the bus was late but on its way. Well, it got there and it was not only late, it was full. The driver shut the door when I was next to get on. So I had to wait another 10 minutes for the next bus. Also very full, but at least I was the first one on. HOT HOT HOT--no AC at all. So, two hours after my plane landed I finally got to the hotel.
It's a very nice hotel with a super comfy bed and wonderful bathrobes...ahhhhhhhhhh. Wish I could take one home with me, but it would probably fill up my entire suitcase and it's probably also very expensive.
Off to breakfast--the conference is supplying continental breakfast today and tomorrow, and I am definitely going to take advantage of it!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Random observations because I am behind on almost everything
- HR exists just to make hiring decisions infinitely harder.
- There is a special place in hell for people who generate phishing scams.
- There is a special place in hell for airlines with huge change fees.
- The end of the academic year cannot come fast enough.
- Our senior senator gave a speech at my niece's commencement. I am still not voting for him, but he did a good job with the speech.
- I miss my kids.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Friday, May 02, 2008
Blogging while waiting for ED's flight to take off
She's been delayed now twice. I sure hope they aren't going to cancel her flight. We are all looking forward to Dutch Babies!!
My Alma Mater U class took their final yesterday. I had asked the TA to proctor the exam because I had to teach a class at UniTown at the same time as the final. So what does he do? He sends me an urgent e-mail about a student's question--which I got half an hour after the exam was over.
What part of "I am teaching while the test is being given" don't you understand, eh?
Argh.
Three weeks left...three weeks left...three weeks left...
She's been delayed now twice. I sure hope they aren't going to cancel her flight. We are all looking forward to Dutch Babies!!
My Alma Mater U class took their final yesterday. I had asked the TA to proctor the exam because I had to teach a class at UniTown at the same time as the final. So what does he do? He sends me an urgent e-mail about a student's question--which I got half an hour after the exam was over.
What part of "I am teaching while the test is being given" don't you understand, eh?
Argh.
Three weeks left...three weeks left...three weeks left...
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