Reading List

My reading list sure has changed over the last year. I just finished reading my second fantasy book in two months. That in itself is strange. I used to go through fantasy books by the dozen.

But graduate studies will do that to you. I hadn't realized how much I miss reading fantasy/ fiction until I just finished this last book (Songspinner). Of course, I read a lot still, and I still get excited over most of the books I read, even though they are "school" books. Just the other day I was very excited to (finally) receive a book I ordered back in May (after calling several times this month to demand the whereabouts of my book). I was just laying down for a nap when the delivery guy knocked at the door. Of course I had to open it immediately, and then I started reading even though I was tired. It is a great book titled Kids in Context and is about the research I now do in the field of the sociology of children and childhoods. It's well written, but the most fun was reading the introduction where the authors describe their difficult experiences in getting permission to start their research - the same difficulties I am facing with the university's Human Research Ethics Committee. They reminded me that I'm not alone in facing these issues, that research with children is constantly being roadblocked by ignorant and overprotective boards, but that ultimately the research is getting done and it is making a difference - children's voices are being heard in research as well as some areas of policy-making now, wherever there are researchers and advocates like us fighting with the overseeing boards to make space for the children's voices. Unfortunately, the difference is not yet being seen at the level of ethics boards - not even after 30 years of work.
It has been said that this new field of research which advocates for the rights of children as persons will be to the 21st century what feminism was to the 20th century. I hope they are right.
I hope that one day my children and grandchildren will not be faced with the dismissive attitude of "she's just a child", even by the most well-meaning "guardian" who seeks to "protect" that child by deciding everything for her.

Robin returns

Yippee! Robin returns tonight.
But perhaps even more exciting is the fact that my keyboard is working again! It's really no fun having a keyboard that does not function properly when you have work to do.

I hope everyone got their fill of Robin's presence while he was in Winnipeg. And that you've convinced him we need to come back to visit for Yule/Winter/Christmas.

Nothing terribly exciting to report here. I've kept busy in Robin's absence. Friday night I even attended a huge Harry Potter release city/street party. The entire downtown of New Hamburg was transformed into New Hogsmeade for the release. It was great! I dressed up and went with some friends. We had to stay until midnight so my friends could pick up a reserved copy of the new book. Not me though. I only own the first book and then only because I got it for free because I had to read it for a course I TA'd. I'll wait for the movie. And maybe one day I'll read them with my kids, but for now I have more than enough books on my to-read list, including my favourite fantasy authors.

On the pregnancy front, what was mild nausea sometimes has expanded to mild nausea 24/7 which is not pleasant, but it could be much worse I suppose. It just makes me feel apathetic towards most foods and turned off by others. I make sure I eat and drink and all that good stuff. I think maple syrup is on my must-have list right now, honestly. Chocolate is on my avoid list though, and that sucks. Maybe I'm just feeling apathetic towards chocolate, but I know many women who couldn't eat chocolate while pregnant and I don't want any negative experiences to taint my future chocolate tastings. I bought a chocolate frog at New Hogsmeade just because one coffee shop in town was carrying Harry Potter food and drink such as chocolate frogs and butter beer. Butter beer is very very good! Sort of a fizzy apple cider with certain spices. I suppose Robin will have to eat the frog.

I am also taking Tai Chi with a friend. Last year he taught a Mind and Spirit course that incorporated Tai Chi. Now that he and his partner have a backyard he's invited friends to come do Tai Chi. It's great exercise and energy work.

Give Robin a big hug for me

If you're in Winnipeg with my hubby, give him a big hug for me. (That's you Jen!) This is the first time I've been left behind :( Usually I'm the one leaving home with Robin stuck at home.
On the plus side, I get to watch whatever I want on TV in the evening! NO SPORTS! No cooking shows (except Take Home Chef maybe). No poker. Ah, this is the life.

I borrowed a CD of harp music from the library when I was checking out some books, and subsequently I picked up Amalthea (that's my harp). Surprisingly I can still play and she's even relatively in tune so I didn't have to spend the first 10 minutes fussing over her strings. I plan to play more now... you know, for the baby.

I assume by now most people have heard. Robin was waiting until he travelled to Winnipeg to share the news with "his side". He had the benefit of getting to tell people in person.

To answer some common questions I've been getting and Robin doesn't seem able to answer:
Baby is due in early March.
I am currently only one month into the pregnancy (6 weeks as the nurses count).
So far I am lucky and not feeling significant nausea or other morning sickness.
Yes we are excited :D

I guess I'll soon have to add Baby to the title of this blog.