How can it be the 17th all ready!?! I have too much to do before some deadlines early next month! Grading, a research paper to present at a conference on Feb. 6, a ton of reading for new courses, etc. This doesn’t even count the Swedish I plan to do every day. And there are still some smoldering questions with some Swedish-language mail that I hope don’t burn me! Ugh! I just have to keep on keeping on.
With Anya going to bed very early, I have more evening time to work. However, I did get her to stay up until 7:00 pm tonight to help with the dishes. I’m slowly moving the clock back for her. She has pole vault practice tomorrow at 6:00 pm, so that should help too.
Today, I’ve been thinking of the hand motions people use when they talk. Why do we do this? Does it really help us communicate? Since at times I have little tracking of the Swedish, the hand motions seem the main means of expression. However, they don’t communicate much if you don’t know the language.
My boss gave the message in chapel today. Only on Tuesdays is it this formal — when communion is part of this longer service. Sometimes, his Swedish is a bit hard for me to understand. Sometimes, I’m tired and my mind shuts off. Sometimes, my mind just wanders. I started pondering what his hand motions did to help him express what he was saying. There is definitely stronger action when he emphasizes his words.
One of the retired Swedish conversation partners often rolls his two pointer fingers around each other in a circle when he is explaining something. I’ve been wondering if there is a pattern of when he used this rolling motion. He was a physicist/radiologist by profession, and the rolling seems to be more prevalent with the more precise explanations — perhaps.
I’m overseeing three bachelor’s theses this term (and 5 smaller 2nd year theses). Of the bachelor thesis students, all have studied Hebrew, and one has both Greek and Hebrew. He’s writing in English (whew!) as part of an application to a master’s program in Scotland. He stopped by today to talk over some things to focus his research question and start to shape a thesis. He’s a bright guy. Actually, all the 6 who are writing in exegetical theology are really sharp. However, one older student jokingly offered to write my Swedish exam essay retake when he heard at fika that I didn’t earn an satisfactory mark, but then I would write his bachelor’s thesis for him! It does seem practical. I’ve often thought that a soccer (oh, “football” in Sweden) would be much easier if one showed up when no one else was on the field. Why do we put so many difficult things in our paths? Alright, I realize this is silly. The challenges excite us and cause us to grow. And there are great views at the top of the mountains, and they are cherished even more after a long and hard hike. (Oh, that’s right, there are no real mountains around here, but I still have my Swedish language mountain.)
Off to grading and Swedish language learning.
With blessings,
Beth