Anxiety.

My course materials finally appeared today. Argh! I am stressing out. The onset of A215 is a reality now, not just an electronic anomaly on the hard drive. Eeps! Currently in the process of copying the audio discs to iTunes.

With the closing of A103, A215 begins. A103, however, has left its mark. Before studying the introductory humanities course I am ashamed to say I had never heard of Rachel Carson. The first essay I had to write was based around an extract of Silent Spring. I enjoyed that essay, but still I haven't got around to buying the book. Then, in the final essay, I once again used the reactions towards Silent Spring and Rachel Carson as part of my argument as to how women's actions began to change science in the 1960s. So, when Elizabeth Bear mentioned the name Rachel Carson in her blog yesterday, I had some sort of inkling as to the reference. This made me happy.

As long as I have knowledge, I will always be happy.

And it is done.

Finished and sent off, good riddance to TMA08. I would say I hated every minute of it, but some of it I quite enjoyed writing. Saying that, I feel about 08 the same way I felt about 06, that it's a big pile of poo! As much as I want a funky high mark for it, I will be happy just to pass it.

And with the finishing of TMA08, it is also the end of A103. So what do I think I have learned? Well, I think I understand poetry now, though I will never again have the ignorance of writing poetry without thinking of the mechanics ever again. That I will miss. I've realised that I might want to pursue an English language and literature degree, rather than just the language degree. I have a new appreciation for classical music now that I can deconstruct it and mostly understand the techniques used to compose it. I was terrified of the art history sections, but once I started on them I fell into them, and enjoyed it more that I thought I would. I also now have some passing knowledge of philosophy, though I don't feel I could call myself adept at philosophising. All in all, apart from struggling a little through demotivation during the middle-ish of the course, I have enjoyed my time on A103.

I think I shall give myself the weekend to relax (and damn the weather, as I can't go and see La Machine) and play games with Principessa before starting with A215. Yay! Finally I am there!

Hovering on the submit button...

(Image 'Myo - Illumination, Enlightenment' from www.theartofcalligraphy.com)

So, I am done. I am (though not exactly) happy with the essay. I just can't find the courage to hit 'Send'. I don't want my confidence dashed again before taking on the last two assignments. Hmph.

Speaking of the last two... I've got to get motivated to start some revision for TMA09. I really want that done by next weekend, just so I can concentrate fully on TMA08. I am hoping to have the course done and dusted by the submission date for TMA08. That way I can get started with some of the reading for A215. I don't know if I'm looking forward to, or actually quite daunted by, the prospect of starting the writing course. But I'm signed up to it now, so I will strive to do my best.

I might take a day out to have a go at Japanese calligraphy. My cousin got a set of brushes and an inkpad, so I've bought a book in order to have a go at it. I didn't want a pressie to go to waste! And besides, it might get me started on learning Japanese again. It's been such a long time since I've done any study for Japanese, but I'd like to get back to it at some point. Which reminds me, I'll have to get around to reading the Haruki Murakami books I bought a while back.

Dum de dum...