Better Planning Through Ignorance
I used to be so detail-oriented and thorough. Now I’m lucky if I remember to put on pants before I head out in the morning.
One of the classes I’m taking (Higher Education Management) had the following assignments: two short papers, one long term paper and a group project. The first paper was already submitted (and I got a freaking B…..Grrrrrrr). I hadn’t heard anything about the second paper and forgot all about it…
…until earlier this week when I asked Mark (Veselka Slut) about it and he said it was due on the 21st (less than two weeks). I was expecting (hoping) for an announcement in class – but it’s apparently just a little blip in the syllabus on the day it’s due. And, since I don’t look ahead in the syllabus, I never picked up on it. UGH. So now I’ve got to scour recent issues of the Chronicle of Higher Education, find an article that interests me, then find other articles about the same topic (from other papers, journals and reviews) and write a report.
However, when it comes to fun things, I am eager to plan thoroughly. And I’m currently trying to figure out the logistics of my trip to Europe this summer. It’s going to revolve around Mike’s studies at Oxford (he’s going to grad school there). Right now, we’re thinking of flying out on June 18th and hanging out in Paris with Mark until the 25th (classes start for him on the 26th). Then I’d go back with Mike to England and spend some time there (Oxford and London). Then, I’d probably return to Paris by myself for a few more days…possibly heading off to Belgium or Switzerland for a few days. Mark is going on his own vacation at that time so I could/would actually house-sit for him in his absence.
All in all, I suspect it could be a 2-3 week vacation. That’s the longest trip I’ll have taken since I was in high school and went to Fort Lauderale for the month of February (my school was NOT pleased about that trip…which took place two years in a row).
Anyway, Mike and I are going to talk about it further this weekend. Mark already confirmed that we could stay at his place on the Ile St-Louis…and while in Engalnd, I could stay on campus at Oxford.
Unfortunately, I don’t think I have enough frequent flyer miles to get there for free this time. I’ve got enough American Airline miles for a domestic ticket. And I’ve got enough Citibank “thank you rewards” points for a domestic ticket on American Airlines. Combined, they’re enough for an international ticket – but I don’t know if I’m allowed to combine two different programs…even if they both are affiliated with American Airlines. I should look into that, huh?
In the meantime, I need to focus on Higher Education Management. See how I have trouble focusing? The topic I need to focus on imminently got just two paragraphs. The subject of my vacation 3 months down the road has resulted in 4 paragraphs.
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Two comments: 1) Now I remember why I’m not a student anymore and have decided to just be a lecturer <smile> and 2) The trip sounds wunderbar (although since you’re going to Paris I should say merveilleux), but I’m mightily intrigued by traveling using frequent flyers miles, etc. I’ve never planned a trip that way, and not being a frequest traveler or a big consumer, never seem to have enough miles or points to do it that way. I figured if I had to wait, I’d never go . . . and life’s too short for that . . . so I just go and let the miles take care of themselves.
Two comments: 1) Now I remember why I’m not a student anymore and have decided to just be a lecturer <smile> and 2) The trip sounds wunderbar (although since you’re going to Paris I should say merveilleux), but I’m mightily intrigued by traveling using frequent flyers miles, etc. I’ve never planned a trip that way, and not being a frequest traveler or a big consumer, never seem to have enough miles or points to do it that way. I figured if I had to wait, I’d never go . . . and life’s too short for that . . . so I just go and let the miles take care of themselves.
paris, london, brussels, geneva. gosh, and i was going to ask if you wanted to come to DOLLYWOOD with us.
MMMM – Dollywood. I’ve aways wanted to see Pigeon Forge!
FYI – Mike and I are cosidering a NYC trip in late March. Will you be around?