Alumni House Garden

     As of now, the aspect of my summer job I'm taking most seriously is the Alumni House Garden. It helps that there are so many wonderful things to look at. Here's a sample. I don't have all the names down, so bear with my ignorance, please. 

     The above photos represent some of the first blossoms in the garden; bleeding hearts and peonies among them. They started to appear about two weeks ago. The batch of photos below is from Wednesday, the 28th. The Siberian Irises are in bloom and the peonies have opened up. In addition to white roses, there are a number of pink roses. The purple flowers are a member of the mint family, and I'm not quite sure what the last photo is, but it's easy on the eyes. 

     After pulling thistle from one of the beds, I realized I'd left quite the trail and couldn't pass up the chance to take a photo. A gardener's self portrait, maybe. 

     -Peter

Thursday's Ramblings

I'm still not used to the Writing Center being quiet. Granted, it's summer and there's basically no one here to use it. But I'm accustomed to there always being at least 4 people inside it at any given moment (save those rare occasions where my sleep schedule was messed up and I went into the Writing Center at 6 or so in the morning to roast some coffee since I was awake anyway). Still, gives me an alternative to Hickok for places other than my apartment to sit around reading books (currently working through Perdido Street Station and The Savage Detectives). Eventually I might have to look through the Writing Center's collection of books to see if there's anything in there I feel like reading.

I'd try using it for writing, but I have this horrible habit of not starting to write until 11 or so at night when I really should be going to bed and getting some sleep. It makes it a little hard to do it anywhere other than my apartment, since I could end up falling asleep at any moment. Or feel like I'm going to fall asleep, try to go to bed, realize I'm actually not tired, and go back to writing.

Also, my second batch of banana bread turned out well. Unlike the quality of the picture, I'm afraid.

Like a BLT

The WC is infamous for its large kitchen the creativity of bakers and cooks brought upon by having 3/4 of the ingredients the recipe calls for. Some recipes are ways to use all the ingredients you have in the pantry or fridge.

Sometimes, though, inspiration comes in the last moments of the day, before your eyes close and you tumble off to sleep. My breakfast today fits into the second category. Wouldn't it be great, I thought, nearly asleep, to make a BLT, but instead of bacon, asparagus, and instead of lettuce, kale.

I chopped my asparagus, tossed it in a pan with olive oil, salt and pepper, and a touch of lime juice; cut the kale; toasted bread; fried two eggs because I love fried eggs; cut the tomato into slices; and put it all together. It was great.
-Peter

Greetings, Salutations, and Other Words of Similar Meanings Ad Nauseum

Hello everyone who visits the Writing Center blog! I have no idea who is included in that list and what you're interested in hearing about, so I'm going to feel a little bit like I'm writing to myself. And this might result in a great deal of me rambling on about things. Like I'm doing right now. Should probably stop doing that. Mostly because the banana bread I'm trying to cook is starting to smell oddly and is probably burning as I'm typing this...

I suppose I should begin with an introduction: I'm Patrick. I'm a creative writing and philosophy double major with a potential minor in unemployment. I think professionals call it "freelance writing" and it sounds like it would be fun and conform well to my desire to not get out of bed before noon. It also sounds slightly terrifying with all the college debt I'm lugging around. And the fact I have yet to publish anything outside a single poem in my college literary magazine, the Coe Review. Long-term goal, I guess.

Aside from my writing center and gardening duties, I'm currently gainfully employed at the local Hy-Vee, and am trying to finish a book and do research for a research paper on John Stuart Mill's On Liberty that I shall be writing next semester. And making assorted (potentially vain) attempts to not be a hermit. And, eventually, making expeditions to bookstores because I like books, and libraries because I like books and don't have much in the way of disposable income. More on that if and when those trips happen. Possibly with pictures, if I manage to commandeer a camera.

As for my insights for this piece... well, a glance outside my window tells me it's a beautiful day, I've found a new Ed Sheeran song to listen to, my eyes currently hurt from taking too many notes on a library book I'll need to return soon, and I'll need to get working on my book shortly because I've been lazy about working on it and need to fix that. I have banana bread that I hope is edible cooling on the counter, a chicken in the slow cooker I might have put too much steak sauce on, and a poem I wrote last night that has the potential to not be shit after I rewrite it a few times. Seems like it'll be a good day. And I may need to locate some nonfiction to determine how people write about things in an interesting manner without lying profusely. 

-Patrick

At the Bix Beiderbecke B&B

     Summer is upon the Writing Center: consultants and writers have left, the lights are off, the kitchen doesn't magically get cleaner or dirtier overnight. A few of us are employed over the summer to take care of some tasks. Our first task: attend a faculty retreat at the Bix Beiderbecke Bed and Breakfast in Davenport. Free housing and meals? You got it.
     At the two-day event, Patrick and I, the student representatives, listened and took part in conversations about all things writing at Coe. One of my favorite conversations of the day took place over lunch at Greatest Grains. It was about the medium we write on and how that impacts style. Does writing on a computer or on a notepad or in a composition book make a difference? I think it does and so did a few others. From there, we talked about mood at the time of writing and keeping journals.
     I especially enjoyed the chance to meet Jenna, the new director of the WC, and Allison, a new Rhetoric professor. I'm looking forward to working with Jenna this summer and next year.
     I've also been doing some gardening at the Alumni House and making a few meals in the WC kitchen... more on that later.
     -Peter

A Very Special Thursday

Not only is today May 1st, aka May Day, aka the best day in the spring, but this is probably also my last blog post of both the semester and as my time as a Writing Center consultant.

While my blogging skills (and regularity) have not been stellar the past couple of weeks, the blog has always been on my mind. I remember coming in as a first-year and being gung-ho about starting it up and keeping it going. I took a break from the blog my sophomore and junior year and renewed my interest my senior year. I still think the blogging concurrent session at the Tampa conference was a huge turning point in how I think about the blog and blogging in general. I hope you as readers have enjoyed our weekly posts t his semester and I hope that they continue this fall.

Before I sign off as a WC blogger, I wanted to direct you to a couple of links. These are two current juniors, soon-to-be seniors who studied abroad this past semester. Dr. Bob recommended to link this particular post of Julia's, who spent the semester in both Florence AND London. And then on Tuesday, we had a small WC homecoming for two of our consultants who had been on Asia Term. I'm including this link to Peter's blog, who did such a nice job of letting us know about this travels.

So it's time for me to buckle down with finals. It's been a fun ride blogging and more generally, being a part of this writing center community. It helped to make my Coe experience one of a kind and this space (with all the great furniture) will be hard to replace.

Topics Tuesday: TOTAL TACO FIESTA

Hello all!

Welcome to the last Topics Tuesday of the 2013-14 academic year (say whaaaat?). It's been a whirlwind of a semester and it's been so great to share all things Topics in Composition with our awesome readers!

Since I missed last week's post, I figured I would give you some top secret evidence...

That's right, the ever-coveted taco I have obsessed about since I started this weekly feature. Today, it's a delicious hard-shelled taco with the perfect amount of juicy beef, ripe tomatoes, crisp lettuce, yummy cheese, and (probably too much) sour cream.

Other than providing you with evidence that these tacos are, indeed, served by the Coe College cafeteria every single Tuesday, I have a little analogy for you relating to Topics in Composition.

IT'S A TOPICS TUESDAY TACO TUESDAY INCEPTION.

Every student and every conference is different, but in general, I see a paper a lot like a taco. During a conference, we start by browning the beef (or other filling of the taco -- vegetarians welcome), which in this strange analogy is the student's main ideas for the paper. Sometimes, cooking all those ideas can take a while, but eventually, the ideas are ready to be used. Browning the beef might be similar to a brainstorming conference, where we just talk through ideas and make sure they are ready to go. 160 degrees, folks. Then, we try to put the main ideas into a shell -- a format that allows others to partake of the ideas. This is the student's structure for the paper. Hard shell, soft shell, or spinach wrap... any structure is welcome as long as it holds the beef. As consultants, we try to help the writer select the perfect shell for her paper so she creates just the dish she wants. Then, we are ready to add the toppings. These are all the stylistic flairs that make a boring old taco into a premiere taco of wonder. Again, the student writer must be the one to select the toppings she wants. It's her taco-paper thing.

Sometimes this process is harder than it looks. The toppings might fall out or the shell might crack. But never fear! The revision process allows students to fix the taco or even to make a new one. At the Coe Writing Center, we are certified for all your taco-fixing needs.

Now, you know you're hungry -- so go make yourself a taco in both the literal and the figurative sense.

With just the right amount of seasoning,
Angela

Photo Friday

Happy Friday!

Don't forget that you still have to make it through today...

Grab some CWC coffee to help you get by until the weekend!

Deidre's Doodle #12

Hope to see some of these soon, we've almost made it!

A Long Overdue Thursday Post

Hello!

First, my apologies for my lack of Thursday posts. I've been traveling across the country, looking at graduate schools. The problems (or benefits) of being a senior!

Anywho, the Writing Center is hopping! As the semester starts to wind down (or wind up depending on who you are talking to), we are finding ourselves a busy and productive space to get work done or to destress after a long day.

There seems to be a correlation with the end of the semester and eating lots of food (regardless of how good it is for you). When we are stressed, there's nothing better than walking into the Writing Center and seeing food on the front desk. It brings a smile to our faces and also something we can put into our stomachs before diving into homework.

Today is no exception to that rule. We've got some cookies and crackers and (even better) some Easter candy! Compliments of Alison's mother, our Writing Center now has a hearty supply of Three Musketeers, Peeps, Starbusts, and jelly beans. Not a bad spread, right? See here for photographic evidence:

Not necessarily the furniture story, but I think we can stretch this post to getting at the usefulness and object symbolizing hope in the Writing Center. As we turn the corner, moving from the art gallery to our space, our heart flutters with food on the desk. 

Until next week!

Topics Tuesday: Conversation with Chris Fink

Hello one and all!

With finals quickly approaching and a pretty full plate (of tacos, of course, because it's Tuesday), I'm going to make this Topics Tuesday blog post short and... well, spicy.

One thing I appreciate about the Writing Center is that we're always having conversations with the coolest people. Yesterday, Chris Fink, author of the work of fiction The Farmer's Almanac came into our staff meeting. Chris is a professor of journalism, creative fiction, and English at Beloit College, and his book was #4 on Amazon for short stories for a while!

 Check out The Farmer's Almanac and you'll learn what "hefting" is -- is that enough of an incentive for you?

Here is the link to the Google book.

-Angela

Deidre's Doodle #11

Do you remember these days? I don't either. The weather is finally consistently nice, and it's Flunk Day season! I think I can finally stop doodling about the weather.

Topics Tuesday: Eureka!

First order of business: I did not eat a taco today. This is the first Tuesday since the beginning of the semester when I have not eaten a taco. I just wasn't in the mood, and sometimes you have to listen to your (forthcoming) heart (disease) with these decisions.

BUT luckily my food choices don't change that it's still Tuesday... which means it's Topics Tuesday. Get pumped.

Today I have a selection from Spilling the Beans, our staff folklore anthology. Basically, Spilling the Beans is this gem of a book where we collect past and present consultants' thoughts about conferencing, the Writing Center, and writing in general.

I am hopeful that Flunk Day is tomorrow -- a greatly-anticipated surprise day on Coe's campus when all classes are cancelled. In wishful thinking, I am including an excerpt from the section "Eureka! Discovery, Inspiration, and Elation" (how I will feel when I am hopefully woken up by excited college students).

Robin Swale, Spring 2001:

"'Every interaction we have with people changes the reaction we'll have to the next interaction.'

Hmmm, Thought provoking, isn't it? And, the reality is that in its simplistic portrayal, it's so true. Each time we conference, we learn something new. We learn more about communication. We realize more about how our peers work. We gain teaching expertise, and perhaps a little more insight on exactly how important a clearly stated, provable thesis is. Every time a person walks in to the writing center, each time we lead them to the tables in the hallway, we learn something from them as they learn from, and bounce ideas off of, us. And then we take what we learn from them and use it in our next interaction.

Example. When I started our here last year, I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. I remember sitting and feeling overwhelmed when my first conference was not only an upperclassman, but an upperclassman that also worked in the WC. I didn't know anything about revising except for grammar changes, sentence structure, and the dumb reader technique. But I learned. With each and every conference I sat down to, I thought of (or borrowed from other consultants) different ways to approach papers. I realized today as I walked back into the writing center after a conference just how much I have learned through the year and a half I have been here, and just how many different skills I have obtained. I am no longer afraid to ask questions, no longer afraid of those hour and a half brainstorming sessions. My conferences have developed from the five-minute slam-bam-thank-you-ma'am variety to the hour long discussions about organization, thought process, thesis statements, and anything else that the writer wishes to bring up. I am not saying that I am the perfect consultant. By all means, no. I am just saying that I've learned, and that the realization of that fact is amazing.

It's true--'every interaction we have with other people changes the reaciton we'll have to the next interaction.'"

Conferencing itself is full of Eureka moments, but sometimes the moments come long after. Talking to others about writing is a skill, and its development often happens when we're not realizing it. Here at the CWC, we keep on keeping on because practice is key.

All my best,

Angela

Deidre's Doodle #10

It was beautiful on Sunday, so here's a celebratory ice cream doodle! Even if it's not as warm today... I'll give you another chance, Weather.

Topics Tuesday: Are More Choices Better?

Hello one and all.

Today we're not having Topics Tuesday.

 ...April Fool's! I know, such a good joke. OF COURSE we're having Topics Tuesday, where I write about all things Topics in Composition, our writing center staff development course.

This week, my group worked on our research project. That might not be the most thrilling thing for you to read about at this point (though it will be when we are done)! Instead, I want to direct you to a poignant TEDTalk by Barry Schwartz called "The Paradox of Choice."


I remember watching this video last fall in Topics. I still think about it often, especially in relation to conferences.

In short, Schwartz talks about how more options is not always better. Sometimes, having too many choices paralyzes us.

I think this concept can be true for writing as well. A writer has endless possibilities for the content, organization, and style of the paper. Starting a paper can be incredibly daunting.

When I conference, I try to help the writer focus on a few choices at a time. I ask the writer to think hypothetically about what the paper would look like if they chose to take one particular direction. Thinking about one option at a time can help the writer move forward, even if he later decides on a different path.

-Angela

Photo Friday!

Well, a couple of weeks have gone by and you've been deprived from a Photo Friday. My deepest apologies. I'm sure you have been going through withdrawals and just begging to get your next photo fix. Today is the day.

Missing Photo Friday is almost as horrible as missing your daily coffee. Fear not! Grab one of our crazy number of mugs and fill up for the day. You'll need an extra mug or two to kick off your weekend. Enjoy!

Furniture Feature: Coffee Edition

With Dr. Bob in his office this morning, I knew I was in for a good story for this week's furniture feature.

Dr. Bob came out of his office, looked around and said, "Do you want to know the story behind our coffee grinder?"

I nodded. Of course I wanted to hear the story.

Dr. Bob went on to explain that we got this grinder as a donation from a former Coe student. This Bunn grinder was first used to help grind down animal food.

Say what?

I know, when I first heard, I was a little terrified. The coffee beans that I drink are being put through a grinder first used for animal food? But never fear, Dr. Bob continued his story.

The Coe alum had originally wanted to donate it to the Chemistry department. At the time, the Chemistry department was apparently "hooked on the Writing Center coffee" and instead, passed it onto us.

Before any coffee beans were roasted, it went through an intense cleaning and sanitizing process. Dr. Bob cleaned it all, removing all past grinding experiences, except for the motor. It was difficult (no surprise there) so Dr. Bob walked down the street to Davis Auto. He asked the owner if he could use the air compressor to clean the motor. The owner agreed and apparently a large dust of past grinding flew into the air.

The cleaning process complete, the grinder was deemed safe for use and since then, has found a home in the Writing Center grinding coffee on a daily basis. One of the first things you learn as a new consultant is how to make coffee and how to yell our equivalent of golf's "fore!'

"GRINDING!"

Also, we got a pretty sweet deal. This coffee grinder usually goes for about $850 nowadays. Wow.

And there you have it. See you next week!

Deidre's Doodle #9

It's almost April, so I'm of hoping to see more of these (they're umbrellas) and less snow on the quad. I never thought there would be snow on the quad the last week of March. Here's to rain!

Driver's License? Wrong Side of Road.

Hello. It's Tuesday, which in Spanish is martes. Just for your general knowledge.

Tuesday also means TOPICS TUESDAY, this fantastic time where I get to express excitement about tacos (served in the Coe College cafeteria) and about Topics in Composition, our staff development course.

In our staff meeting last night, one of the groups from the Tybee Island topics group did a workshop for the entire center. (You can read more about our Tybee trip here). This workshop centered around conciseness -- making a million thoughts into a few words.

I'll admit, I've always had a bit of a hard time with brevity. I like my words and thoughts to flow together, and I often would rather risk over-explaining myself than being unclear. I learned through this workshop, as Dr. Bob said, that the first draft is for the writer and the final draft for the reader. The first draft is my time to make everything sound good and flow well; the final draft is what gets the point across in the most interesting, concise way possible.

The workshop leaders had us condense an embarrassing moment into six words. Mine? "Driver's License? Wrong Side of Road."

Yes, it was beyond embarrassing.

After the exercise, our staff discussed the advantages and disadvantages of brevity. An advantage of my own 6-word anecdote is its universality. Most adults know how nerve-wracking taking a driver's license test can be, and most will infer the details of my story while implicitly understanding why it is embarrassing. On the other hand, leaving out these details changes the essence of the story. The reader does not know that I never had an accident before or since or that the old man sitting next to me was being really mean. The reader can infer details, but that doesn't necessarily mean she will get the details right.

We agreed that it is important to strike a balance between conciseness and detail -- that's one of many reasons we revise.

If you want to let us know your own thoughts about brevity while practicing brevity, tweet at @CoeWC! We would love to hear from you.

-Angela

Furniture Feature

One of the neatest things (I think) that makes our Writing Center unique is our kitchen.
Yes, we have a kitchen.

Currently, our full-sized (FULL-SIZED) kitchen gives us the space for all sorts of neat things. We like to make goodies when we're not conferencing and every Sunday, we hold meals back there.

The space is also used for conferences. The somewhat more private space allows for a quieter conference when the main space is "popping" (aka loud, noisy, and potentially distracting).

And our kitchen did use to be that big. In our old space in the Peterson Hall Tunnel, we had a couple of breadmakers, a microwave, and a mini oven. We had to be creative but some of my favorite food memories of the WC come from that tiny kitchen (Peter's mash potatoes and prying the bread out of the bread machine).

Of course, we don't miss our small kitchen much now. With our upgraded kitchen space, we realized how important food is to us a collective Writing Center. For us, writing and food go hand-in-hand. Food brings us together and food is an ultimate connector when a writer walks in for a conference. The place takes on a homey feel and hopefully that will lead to an awesome, productive conference.