This week is Banned Books Week, and in honor of this important week in the literary world, the English Society sponsored two events. On Monday, we read excerpts from various banned books and discussed the future of our club. Our student government has not recognized the English Society as an "official club" on campus, so we compiled a roster with members' names and contact info to get ASUP (Associated Students of UP) to give us funding, as we're in debt. Thursday night we watched Catch-22. Even though I haven't read the book previously and did not know the story, I really enjoyed the movie. Our president made chocolate chip cookies, and our VP made chocolate peanut butter chex mix, both of which were very delicious. The events are a lot of fun, and everyone's really nice and I like being around others who share my love for any and everything literary!
On Tuesday, I heard back from one of the professors co-chairing NUCL, and I unfortunately did not get the internship. While I was excited about the possibility of interning, I honestly wasn't too disappointed. With eight applicants for three spots, I knew the position was competitive. Also, I was told that a lot of times priority is given to students later in their college career (particularly seniors) because they wouldn't have a chance to do this in the future. Finally, I didn't attend the conference last year, so I knew applying for this postion would be a long shot. But hey, if you don't try you don't know--I could very well get to do this next year or the year after.
On the bright side, I have other opportunities to possibly be involved with NUCL. I can be a panelist (chair or respondent). Students are divided into groups of 3 or 4 people depending on their paper topics, and 2 students (chair and respondent) initiate discussion. I can do that, and/or present a paper. I still have my papers from last semester, and I've been briefly looking at them to see if I would submit one or all of them for the conference. I could also submit a paper from my current English class, depending on how well I do. Submissions are accepted from early December to mid-January so I have some time before I have to decide.
Not surprisingly, I'm still loving my English class! We're reading
Hiroshima, which is disturbing at times, but a very well-written reportage by John Hersey. I really like this book, as I'm enjoying learning more about what this horrible event was like for the six survivors he interviews. I got an A (7/7) on my most recent quiz, and have a paper due in a week. I've started brainstorming ideas, as I'm going to write it on my current book. I have a little over 40 pages left, so I haven't gotten too far. Luckily, I'm going to start working on the first draft this weekend before I talk to my professor and meet with my friend who's a writing assistant.
On a non-English note, I turned in my study abroad application and had my interview with the student coordinator for the London humanities program. Once the rest of my recommendations come in, I can schedule an interview with the studies abroad director. After that interview, it's working hard to get good grades and anxiously waiting until January.
