On hiatus. . . again

If only there were more hours in the day.

But there aren't. So, something's got to go, and it's going to be the diner for a while.

The PhD program is intense. I'm working on a presentation featuring using YouTube to teach argumentative theory and a paper on the value of Twitter in classroom instruction. If you want to keep an eye on my studies, check out my student blog (I know! Another blog? It's a requirement) or my student web page where we post most of our assignments in my Literacy and Technology class.
Other than that, here are a few videos I go to when I need a smile or a break:



And:



And:

Plum Lovin'

Yes, I'm still in awe at the fact Stephanie Plum is coming to Pittsburgh. If you're thinking, "Stephanie Plum is fictional, Tamara. You do realize that, right?"

No. I don't. In fact, you're wrong. She exists.

So does Lula and Grandma Mazur and (if there is a God) Ranger and Morelli. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, pull your credit card from your wallet, and click here pronto.

Janet Evanovich, if you come across this posting by some grace of all things tasty, I offer myself up to you as a tour guide. I'm a good tour guide. I promise to keep you away from Pittsburgh's "Stark" streets.

Or, hey, we can drive down them if you prefer!

In honor of my future feature film debut, here are some recent tweets from Janet (we are so on a first name basis. Sort of. Not really, but I mean, there's still time for that to change). They are always bright spots in my Twitter feed, so if you're a tweep, follow Janet. Like now.

“That's the second CR-V you've burned up this week.” - Vincent Plum, Hard Eight

“I'll throw in a bucket of chicken and an ice cream cake from Carvel. That's my final offer.” - Morelli, Finger Lickin' Fifteen

“I always thought I'd make a good detective, on account of I'm so nosy.” - Grandma Mazur, Hard Eight

“He mess with a big woman like me, and he be nothin' more than a smelly spot on the carpet.” - Lula, Two for the Dough

“You've got a helluva gene pool, babe.” - Ranger, Two for the Dough

Stephanie Plum's Shadow

I love, love, love Stephanie Plum. And I just might be able to star (or, you know, appear in the corner of a room or walking down a street or something) in "One for the Money."

The film is being made in Pittsburgh!!! This calls for a celebration!
Anyone else up for being an extra with me?

Day 1 - What I Learned

What did I learn the first day of my PhD program?

I don't have time to post this blog right now. Lots of reading and a bit of writing to do tonight before I head off to bed (this blog was written Tuesday night but posted Wednesday morning). So I'll keep this short and sweet.

I left my house at 6:30 a.m. for class. I returned at 6:30 p.m. Ouch. People around the country do this every day. If you're one of them, you have my utmost respect. I work from home. I roll out of bed, cross the hallway and plop down at the computer.

But it's also kind of exciting. Both of my professors are great. I already have ideas flowing for the assigned essays. None of the food places on campus are open in the summer (I know!), so I'll be snacking on fruits and veggies that I bring every day and lose a few pounds.

Can't beat that. Now, it's off to work I go!

P.S. Check out my blog (I wrote it before I started my classes) at Working Stiffs today.

Back to School

The day has finally arrived.

While most students are exhaling sighs of relief and closing their textbooks to the joy of summer vacation, I am dusting off the backpack that has been hanging on a hook in the basement since college.

Yep, it's back to school time.

The family has been supportive. They've asked if I have my Trapper Keeper packed, what Disney character is on my lunch box, and when the bus is coming to pick me up.

The jokes took me back to the days of Trapper Keepers and every-color-of-the-rainbow Lisa Frank folders. Unicorns. I always went for the unicorns.

Of course, Lisa Frank folders won't really fit in with my PhD studies. Although if I could find one, I'd probably still rock it. I mean, really. Did you look at the picture?

And I'm sure I could find a Trapper Keeper on eBay. I could use a lunch box, too. Maybe Hannah Montana.

I digress. The point is I've considered doing a PhD for years, and today is the day it all begins. I'm a student of the Composition and TESOL program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I've had my head in one book or another for the last 23 years, so that won't be new.

As for what will be new, I'll let you know soon.

Stay tuned...