tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.comments2009-10-28T21:41:25.043-07:00raninoreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-43127066204075804592009-10-28T21:41:25.043-07:002009-10-28T21:41:25.043-07:00Wilkins-O&#39;Riley ~<br />thanks for your comment and sharing your story. Trudgery is indeed a wonderful word - glad to hear that I&#39;m not the first one to use it! It captures the sentiment. <br /><br />Completing any degree while living the rest of your life is a commitment - an everyday journey - of putting one foot in front of the other.<br /><br />cheers.raniraninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-55412769859703422882009-10-28T21:03:05.147-07:002009-10-28T21:03:05.147-07:00Such a great word! In my dissertation at Oregon State University (Zinn, 2004): Learning • Teaching • Leading: A Patchwork of Stories from a Non-Traditional Life. I included &quot;trudgery&quot; in the terms I define, noting that I first coined it in 1994 (although certainly others must have used this natural blend earlier). Getting a doctorate while working fulltime was definitely trudgery which I define as literally and figuratively putting one foot in front of the other and keeping on going, one step at a time, one assignment at a time even when the work to be done seems overwhelming in the light of other life responsibilities.Wilkins-O'Rileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05519029443621169760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-48127997832320628642009-05-25T18:29:36.154-07:002009-05-25T18:29:36.154-07:00Thanks Mike (and Liz!) I'm glad its over. Now I get to look for a job, yeah!rani gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09338354051415673785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-81437932770201820702009-05-25T15:04:42.067-07:002009-05-25T15:04:42.067-07:00Wonderful collection of pix -- you definitely have one of the most proteanly expressive faces of your generation. <br /><br />Liz and I send large hugs and congradulations your way!brownstudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333599990012361188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-73328964379649007342009-05-25T08:01:12.934-07:002009-05-25T08:01:12.934-07:00LOL! I'm so glad you were around to appreciate the journey.<br /><br />Yup, that 'bout sums it up!!!<br /><br />p.s. I did actually learn something :)rani gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09338354051415673785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-52528187646753053362009-05-24T23:02:10.710-07:002009-05-24T23:02:10.710-07:00Way to gut it out, Rani! <br /><br />Let&#39;s see, the story goes like this:<br /><br />Apply to grad school - $75.00<br />&quot;Move&quot; to NYC - $25,000.00<br />Back &amp; forth spouse travel - $15,000.00<br />Blog about it - FREE<br /><br />Post goofiest grad photo ever on blog - Pricelesshickcityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15920553920785924126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-77544592707569913152009-05-17T02:12:00.000-07:002009-05-17T02:12:00.000-07:00Well done! Time to start the blog Unfinished House to achieve similar results!hickcityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15920553920785924126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-66442315963201264852009-04-29T18:14:00.000-07:002009-04-29T18:14:00.000-07:00Congratulations, Master Rani! Am looking forward to your next blogging endeavor!<br /><br />I need to write a blog post or do research on why we don't feel elation on reaching the top of the mountain. I've been reading a book called FINITE AND INFINITE GAMES, and I'm thinking that we see a big project (like getting a degree) as a game with an ending (thus, a winner) when in fact what's happened is a new game has started. Also, we're different at the end of such exertions; there's a bit of postpartum depression, too, I think.<br /><br />Anyway -- can't wait to see the pictures! Hope you two have a nice ritual to mark the occasion.brownstudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333599990012361188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-21512676042633016732009-04-07T13:14:00.000-07:002009-04-07T13:14:00.000-07:00thanks hickcity for sticking it through to the end.<BR/><BR/>your fan,<BR/>..ranirani gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09338354051415673785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-66064610439996148292009-04-07T11:39:00.000-07:002009-04-07T11:39:00.000-07:00Mike!<BR/>Thank you for the haiku! I will be starting a new blog on my experience of becoming a game designer, or designing games for learning, or something like that. I have several ideas that have been waiting to get out. But the unfinished masters has served it's purpose. I haven't even told my adviser about it but will when I see her in May.<BR/><BR/>I've decided to go to graduation on May 20. I miss New York.<BR/><BR/>And of course, I also have to look for a job so we can stem our fiscal bleeding. But that will be after this java course/certification, after I visit Vancouver, and probably after New York as well. Then there's Peter's parents 50th anniversary in June. So much to do!<BR/><BR/>I can't wait.rani gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09338354051415673785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-7475484135939675392009-04-07T11:02:00.000-07:002009-04-07T11:02:00.000-07:00End of the journey<BR/>One step past the borderland<BR/>Start in a new place<BR/><BR/>Congratulations Rani!!! What will you do to celebrate?!?<BR/><BR/>Will you have to rename the blog now? :)brownstudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333599990012361188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-15768300975784339982009-04-06T22:08:00.000-07:002009-04-06T22:08:00.000-07:00Alright!hickcityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15920553920785924126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-65860474295356215192009-04-06T15:05:00.000-07:002009-04-06T15:05:00.000-07:00Oiy Mike - I'm sure I'll find other things that need changing once I'm on the job market. thx.rani gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09338354051415673785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-85482412982105225302009-04-03T18:15:00.000-07:002009-04-03T18:15:00.000-07:00Congratulations on achieving a significant milestone, Rani. Bummer about having to wait for her opinion about the game--it's the waiting that kills me.<BR/><BR/>It is something, isn't it, how you can look back on these things and see them entirely differently. This work we're doing does seem to challenge and bust up our expectations and assumptions. Which makes you wonder what other expectations and assumptions in your life need challenging.brownstudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333599990012361188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-75832292468301569252009-03-26T00:57:00.000-07:002009-03-26T00:57:00.000-07:00The best strawberries I have ever had are in Napa at the base of the Silverado Trail (near Trancas Rd.), grown and sold by a Laotian family. You have to come try them - better than candy.hickcityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15920553920785924126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-53130163098572570082009-03-25T21:46:00.000-07:002009-03-25T21:46:00.000-07:00Hey Rani - that's great! <BR/><BR/>Let's celebrate.hickcityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15920553920785924126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-24395222912938488612009-03-25T04:54:00.000-07:002009-03-25T04:54:00.000-07:00It's morning here, so I lift a glass of orange juice to your achievement.<BR/><BR/>Congratulations!brownstudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333599990012361188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-36135001379913729482009-03-15T16:17:00.000-07:002009-03-15T16:17:00.000-07:00gracias mike.rani gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09338354051415673785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-22078448563060377582009-03-15T12:09:00.000-07:002009-03-15T12:09:00.000-07:00As the subtitle to your blog states: &quot;The challenge is keeping focused &amp; moving forward when the familiar support structures have disappeared.&quot;<BR/><BR/>You&#39;re moving forward and you&#39;re succeeding. Congratulations.brownstudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333599990012361188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-4573644618090224272009-03-01T06:46:00.000-08:002009-03-01T06:46:00.000-08:00Great addition to the vocabulary! All students feel like that toward the end. I'm feeling it now and am barely halfway through the semester.<BR/><BR/>Our own contributions to the language are irrationale (when I have a good reason for doing something stupid) and flustrated (flustered and frustrated).brownstudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333599990012361188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-35748212609215308172009-02-22T15:49:00.000-08:002009-02-22T15:49:00.000-08:00mike - you bring up an something I haven't thought a lot about -- how old habits don't work in the new situation. What old habits am I carrying forward that are no longer working? Need to ponder that one.<BR/><BR/>There is this incredible terror that I have to get past almost every time I sit down to program. Once I'm past this "fear membrane" I'm ok. It's just getting past that initial paralyzing fear. Finding this emotion fascinating. The longer I am away from the work, the stronger it becomes -- if I do the work everyday, it is lessened. There it is.rani gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09338354051415673785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-12383576341200461192009-02-22T08:06:00.000-08:002009-02-22T08:06:00.000-08:00Great post, Rani. I'm seeing the same kinds of big lessons in my work -- when I get myself in trouble is when I become teachable, or at least more open to learning something new. The old habits don't work in this new situation.<BR/><BR/>But yes, it's labor- and time-intensive. The British writer / actor / comic Stephen Fry says it's the difference between education and training. Training is what you do to a tree so it grows nicely against a wall. Education is bigger and more disruptive and not just about learning a new skill via repetition.brownstudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10333599990012361188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-74221880317665247922009-02-09T19:21:00.000-08:002009-02-09T19:21:00.000-08:00Schon - great to hear from you. I agree -- we should have both types of interactions. Thanks for your comments.rani gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09338354051415673785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-10829935524037340412009-02-08T13:52:00.000-08:002009-02-08T13:52:00.000-08:00Rani,<BR/>As always, you give us something to ponder. Me, I'm selfish. I want both kinds of interactions - virtual and human. At the end of the day, each has it's own special characteristics and promises.... as well as pitfalls.<BR/>Namaste.<BR/>SchonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5821920653196327884.post-4583261983128416372009-01-29T09:34:00.000-08:002009-01-29T09:34:00.000-08:00Wow Carmen - thanks for your comments. Your original article was quite inspiring. I'm preparing another piece on passion and learning based on an article called "Beyond Control and Rationality: Dewey, Aesthetics, Motivation, and Educative <BR/>Experiences" by David Wong (U of Michigan). <BR/><BR/>cheers, ranirani gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09338354051415673785noreply@blogger.com