Where I'm at...

Hello Everyone,

First of all, thank you to _____ and _____ who responded to my posts last week. I appreciate any and all feedback, and your information you have provided me with is much appreciated! :)

Also, I just wanted to see if anyone else is feeling like they don't know where to start, or perhaps any effort you have put forth so far has been shot down, or the people you were hoping to hear back from keep neglecting you? This is where I'm at, and I would appreciate if anyone else is feeling this way to come forth so I don't feel like such a failure! :p

Also, I felt that the feedback from Lynda was really good! I wish all professors would do this before an assignment. Thank you very much Lynda! However, I'm still trying to figure out how to tie in the project (in writing) with the learning material. We talked about this in our group last week, and I was just wondering if anyone else has found this difficult, or has started the process and knows what to do? If anyone is interested in a study group let me know too.

I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow!

Rachel





Reply 1
Hi Rachel,
Please do not feel like you are alone. I think most of us are going through similar if not the same discouraging and frustrating feelings. I personally am experiencing what you are--the waiting for people who I've been counting on hearing from, not replying in order to get things moving. I haven't officially been shot down yet but I know others in our class have been (See ____ or ______'s) posts this week and in past weeks, or speak to Jenna about where her project has been stuck at now for quite a while--although hopefully resolved).
I think we are all finally hitting the realities of what is is like to try to begin collective action and community engagement. We have all been so excited about the possibilities of what we are capable of (Lynda has empowered us) and we are now at the stage of trying educate and empower others. Most people in the class are starting with blank slates, or a public that needs to be educated, where others are starting with organizations that have already taken action but are stagnating or are heading a new direction. All of the actions from here on out are going to be much more difficult and frustrating.
Initially, I was one of the students that emailed Lynda my fears regarding what I was capable of as well as my proposal pretty much (minus the nice formatting and a few more general ideas of how to proceed). I being a huge pessimist have had a difficult time seeing what I being one person could get started, but know it takes one spark to start a fire. I'm willing to be the spark right now. (please excuse the continuation of the metaphor) Sometimes the flint gets wet and we have to wait a while for things to dry out or we have to try something else to get the fire started. It's a process and it takes time. Try to remember that.
To be perfectly honest, i'm not planning or hoping to get very far with my project during the remaining portion of the semester, rather I'm hoping to get conversations started, get them moving in a different direction and perhaps outline some framework ideas for how to proceed the rest of the summer (in the states) and/or year. Nothing more, nothing less. This time I've made sure my goals are attainable. I am frustrated. I haven't heard more than one or two responses back since the start of the semesters where I laid out the course project and some preliminary thoughts to a personal friend back home. So yes, i'm frustrated, nervous and above all worried that I wont see anything happen. But I'm trying to stay optimistic and i think with perseverance and a bit of creativity and perhaps a bit of deviance (see the responses to _______'s post this week) we all should be able to at least facilitate a few conversations that may in time lead to communities coming together for the common good.
I aplogize if that is simply repeating what others have said or if it is more of a rant because I too am afraid, but do hope it helps. We are all in the same boat and all have open ears. Thanks for putting your fears out there this time around.
See you tomorrow!
______




Reply 2
Hi Rachel,

Similar to ____, I too am now waiting to hear back from the first conversation that I have tried to initiate. You are absolutely right - moving from our initial project ideas, and even our proposal, to some form of proper, academic plan is very daunting!! As for tieing in the literature...I don't even want to think about it!! My plan is to set aside a few days (or weeks...) after our class tomorrow, and just dive into whatever literature I can find, swim in it and absorb as much as I can, and then try to brainstorm how to fit it all in.

I am definitely keen on a study group!! I want to put forward a suggestion in class tomorrow (unless someone else is already planning on doing so!) to continue our conversations even once class has ended. I don't have anything else planned for my wednesdays other than assignments, so I would be happy to meet up sometime during class hours at uni to discuss our project plans (I wonder if others feel the same??)

Best of luck with continuing your project, you are not alone!!!

Kind regards