Here are recent glimpses:
Anya was quoted as saying (and gave me permission to post): “I’m finally seeing how matrices can be exciting!” I never did matrices, much less at 16 years old! The Hanson math gene is evident.
At the end of my Bible school class on the Psalms of reorientation (back to our grounding in God), I closed with the spiritual exercise, “praying with color.” One student said that he really enjoyed it, and he hoped we would do it again often. He asked where I got my colored pencils. I replied, “Clas Ohlson,” but then I grabbed a handful and gave them to him. I’ll see about getting some more in the prayer room.
Next, I had 3 hours of tutoring with 3 students who are doing their bachelor’s thesis. My sense was that these folks are very thoughtful and serious students. It was good to walk through their ideas that they have begun to clarify with a research question, thesis statement, and draft outline, as well as identification of primary and secondary sources. All have studied a year of Hebrew, and one also has a year of Greek. One is a woman, a mother of three who lives in the northern part of Sweden. It takes 9 hours by train, with sleeping overnight on board, to get to the tutorial today. I joined her for lunch and heard more of her story. She’s also working part-time teaching Swedish to refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, and Eritrea. They are fortunate to have this bright and engaging young woman.
Then I met with a young man who is joining my 2nd year (shorter) thesis tutoring group. Another student switched disciplines, so I could bring him into my group. We had time for me to get to know him a bit and hear some of his story. He is another thoughtful young adult, and with his interests, it should be an intriguing essay.
I passed my listening comprehension exam with 74%! I am sure that I did not get 74% of the conversation in yesterday’s 3-hour faculty meeting. I picked up a bit more than I did at my first faculty meeting, but it doesn’t seem like much more. Everyone talks rather fast to try to get their words in without taking too much time, as it wouldn’t be Swedish to take more than a fair share of time.
Anya was one of 3 students in a physics Olympiad today. The questions are in Swedish, so prior to the exam, she was hoping there were a lot of cognates. Indeed, a lot of the measuring units are the same. The top 2 students from each school go to Gothenburg for the next level of competition, so with only 3 students, she may have a chance! However, she isn’t as strong in physics (or Swedish), so she doesn’t feel that it will be a very good chance. At least she can be the alternate!
Finally, I found out my sister, Elenn, will be arriving on 30 January instead of 4 February! I must really work to get my paper done this weekend, before she arrives, so we can enjoy our time together! (It is due 6 February.) Ugh!
With blessings,
Beth
Greet Elenn for us! So good to hear of your ‘mentoring’ students; you do that so well and I know they appreciate your care and attention, plus the practical stuff.