thenerdygirl: A white and tan barn owl peeking around a wall (Autumn)
Steph ([personal profile] thenerdygirl) wrote2015-09-09 11:29 am

Hit those books!

My problem, in gif form:


...Although, it does seem like the opposite of a problem. I went to the public library on my morning break and I restrained myself to four books this time, one for crocthing, one for watercolouring painting, one for psychology, and one that's kinda psychology but also about being organized. Sidebar, it's so awesome the public library is right next to the university library I work; all my book needs in one place! Or course, it makes it super tempting to take out too many books at one time.

There's always so much I want to do but it can be such a challenge to focus. It's like once I start planning my mind goes in a million directions at once, it's hard to sit down and say "This is what I'm going to do and this is how I'm going to do it". The only times I've ever seen to have much luck is when I did the 101 things in 1001 days challenge twice. The first time I managed to get 56 out of 101, the second time it was about 70+ out of 101, so who knows? Maybe if I did it again I'd get the full 101 things completed. I've been toying around with the idea of doing another list.

One thing I would add would be learning how to paint with watercolours. I did learn a little back in university but it was briefly touched on in a drawing class. Funny enough, in the two years of painting classes I did for my degree we never once had a class on watercolours. The focus was almost solely on oil with brief classes in encaustic painting and using gouache. Using acrylic wasn't encouraged which I always felt was pretty stupid and outdated of our professors....and I'm starting to delve into an art school rant apparently. Better stop before this gets two extra paragraphs. Suffice to say, I wished we had done more with other paint types.

All the hustle and bustle on campus has gotten me thinking about my days as a student. On days like today I think "Oh I envy the students. So much energy, so much to look forward to". Then there are other days when I look at my student loan payments, remember exams & assignments, and think "Yeah, I'm so glad I'm finished".
commoncomitatus: (✞ going through the motions)

[personal profile] commoncomitatus 2015-09-09 02:33 pm (UTC)(link)
On days like today I think "Oh I envy the students. So much energy, so much to look forward to". Then there are other days when I look at my student payments, remember exams & assignments, and think "Yeah, I'm so glad I'm finished".

Heh, I know that feeling. Before I moved out here, I worked at a university and whiled away many a day waxing nostalgic for my student days. Now I've actually gone back to being a student again, the reality is more like "I'm too old for this ****!".

[identity profile] thenerdygirl.livejournal.com 2015-09-10 12:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Haha, I guess the nostalgia is just a side effect of working on campus. I hope you do enjoy your studies for the most part but I could definitely see feeling like that if I was back in the classroom.

[identity profile] papertea.livejournal.com 2015-09-09 03:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I was thinking about learning how to knit! I passed by the yarn when I went to Walmart to grab some groceries this weekend and it's all so beautiful o,o I applaud you for taking a stab at crocheting, it seems like such a delicate and complicated thing (or at least it certainly seemed that way from watching my grandmother do it!)

And ah, painting. I always wished I could do it but I just don't have the patience to learn. I stick with my pencil sketches and rare digital paintings, but again, applaud you for giving it a go. Watercolour is so beautiful. If you do paint anything, you should show us here! I'd love to see it :)

[identity profile] thenerdygirl.livejournal.com 2015-09-10 12:08 pm (UTC)(link)
It's certainly worth trying! I know how to knit a bit but I always struggled with patterns because I knit left handed....even though I'm right handed oddly enough. I crochet right handed though so I found it much easier than knitting. I always thought it was more complicated than knitting but once I had someone sit down and show me the stitches I realized it's surprisingly simple.

Thanks, if I follow through and get any pieces completed I will certainly post pictures :D

[identity profile] firefish.livejournal.com 2015-09-09 03:33 pm (UTC)(link)
To be honest, I think that's quite a common problem. I was doing a session today with client around mental health and cultural trends that are impacting our mental wellness (horrible term I know). This idea of digital rewiring and only been able to absorb chunks of information is something that comes up a lot. I suppose we see things like this in what you're saying about having lots of books but not actually concentrating on any one thing...

[identity profile] thenerdygirl.livejournal.com 2015-09-10 12:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not surprised to hear that how absorbing information has changed given how we consume it has changed so dramatically in the past twenty to thirty years. From what I remember of my reading habits as a teenager, not being able to focus wasn't a problem but at that time I only really absorbed information from printed mediums or television. I didn't have regular access to a computer or the internet until I was in university. Online information consumption increased dramatically since I started working and my reading habits have suffered somewhat as a result. Mostly because I try to do read too much at one, as if books are like browser tabs.

I've started taking out less books at a time to try and remedy that but I also need to start setting time aside in my routine where I can read without distractions.

[identity profile] grlicnotgmblin.livejournal.com 2015-09-09 03:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Yay books!!! How fortunate that your work place is right next to another library!

I feel the same way about students... It all looks exciting, but I am also glad I'm finished! It would take a lot for me to commit to being a student in school again. BLAH.

[identity profile] thenerdygirl.livejournal.com 2015-09-10 12:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh yes, it's definitely one of the perks XD

I think I'd only go back if library sciences was offered at my campus but sadly, it's not offered anywhere on the island and I'm not interested in moving anytime soon.

[identity profile] lyssa027.livejournal.com 2015-09-09 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
I actually really love painting with watercolors :) I'm not any good, but it's a fun medium to paint with

[identity profile] thenerdygirl.livejournal.com 2015-09-10 01:17 pm (UTC)(link)
I love the look of watercolours but haven't had much luck in the past just playing on my own. I'm hoping a instruction book will help.

[identity profile] viciousladybug.livejournal.com 2015-09-10 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
I love books! I used to live in the library when I was a kid checking out 10 books at a time. I still go but I am a much slower reader now. Just reading a book on business right now. So boring!

I've always admired people who can paint watercolors. My aunt just started doing that and I'm amazed at what she does. You should do it!

I was an English major in college and look back at all the great poets we didn't study and wonder why? It's hard to see how they come up with their syllabi and courses sometimes. :p

[identity profile] thenerdygirl.livejournal.com 2015-09-10 01:31 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm trying to set up a routine were I only take out a couple of books and set aside some time each day to read. I've no trouble with fiction books but have to push myself with non-fiction, even though I love non-fiction. It can just be a little dry sometimes.

We have people at the university who put in beautiful watercolours in the library exhibition every year. That's partly why I want to try it.

[identity profile] twodottedlines.livejournal.com 2015-09-11 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, totally the opposite of a problem ;)
That sounds like a good mix of books! Are you new to crocheting, or is this something you've done before?! I've tried but suck. I think I want to get into SEWING. I have this idea I should make my own clothes. I imagine it would not go well. I'm NOT handy.

Painting with watercolours sounds interesting! If you are already a painter/artsy, I imagine it would be a neat new medium.

[identity profile] thenerdygirl.livejournal.com 2015-09-14 11:22 am (UTC)(link)
Naw, I've been crocheting since 2012 now. I've made a lot of toys and small stuff but have yet to make any clothes. I tried to learn before 2012 but I was complete rubbish. I didn't pick it up again until a lady in my old crafting group showed me how to do it. I've tried my hand at sewing too, with the same idea that I should make my own clothes as well. I had one or two successes but I could never really get the hang of it.

[identity profile] dreamchaser.livejournal.com 2015-09-13 08:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Whenever I see the students on our campus, I think both of those things (I think the gratitude for being finished wins out most days, though!).

[identity profile] thenerdygirl.livejournal.com 2015-09-14 11:22 am (UTC)(link)
Good to know I'm not the only one :D