Olivia Week 4

Last week was overwhelming on many levels and I am glad to have had the weekend to rest up. I needed it. Been feeling sick--a cold I can't kick and sore throat--but extra sleep from the long weekend has me a bit better and ready to ground myself in school. I don't know what it is but it has been a slow start so far this semester. Maybe I am still adjusting to moving off campus at the start of the semester but I feel disconnected from my classes. This first deadline to get pages to Marci and Lindsey was a bit of a reality check. Gotta get busy! It felt good to type up a lot of the work I have been handwriting in my notebook and play with the way the work transforms once typed. Most of the time the poems I handwrite serve as structural bones. Once typed, I color in the piece with changes in word choice and by playing with the way the words interact with the white space on the page. I am looking forward to workshopping on Friday--I find being in conversation about works in progress engaging and exciting. Also, already feel more grounded in the semester as I finally got all of my due dates for the semester plugged into my calendar which helps me a lot to see the big picture of the semester/ helps motivate. Probably because I can see how quickly the time is flying by already. Whew.

I am bummed I couldn't make it to class Friday and see everyone's presentations/give mine. Next time we meet I will fill you in on Rachel McKibbens, if you aren't familiar with her work yet. She's a poet who has influenced my work. I'm sorry I couldn't be there but look forward to seeing you all in a few weeks.