My week consists of writing for my dissertation, taxi for Anya, and domestic engineer.
So, I believe that chapter 1 of my dissertation is fairly complete. There will be tweaks until it is submitted, but I believe I responded to the feedback of my adviser and my dear mom and friend, Marvin, who are proofreading. I got some good progress on chapter 2, as I’m over a cold and settled into a writing schedule.
Chapter 2 lays out the theoretical framework integrating the philosophical hermeneutics (the art of understanding or the philosophy of interpretation) of the German philosophy of Hans-Georg Gadamer (1900 – 2002). I incorporate his concept of “fusion of horizons” as laid out in his magnum opus, Truth and Method. Yes, pretty heady stuff, and the revisions and writing go pretty slow because it has to be accurate.
So, with all that heady Gadamer stuff, it is good to walk a path of humility–or humiliation–in my Swedish language learning.
I decided that I can’t afford the time to attend the University of Washington Swedish course, but I did get the textbooks (with special thanks to Scott who teaches at UW for a visit to the bookstore). I’ll try to get a tutor and work independently, which should me more efficient, and won’t take 2 hours of travel by bus for 1 hour of class five days a week. Even though I can read on the bus, it would be difficult to speak svenska aloud, which I try to do with all my practice.
So, I’m still working on Swedish online with free (!) Duolingo.
I’m and my virtual tutors are… ABBA! Anya and I had a great time belting out ABBA songs in svenska! Join us!
Mamma Mia in Swedish on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_joNKzgn8F8
Swedish lyrics: http://artists.letssingit.com/abba-lyrics-mamma-mia-swedish-version-q21fbjr#axzz3lluNtj8v
We remember our trip to the ABBA museum in Stockholm last May.
Speaking about Sweden, I talked with a friend from my days at Lutheran Bible Institute. It turns out that he lived for three years at Johannelund, my betrothed future employer. (We have a formal memorandum of agreement, but it isn’t a contract.) He loved the community and still has contacts in Uppsala. So, we will be welcomed by his friends as well!
Anya has quite a bit of homework, but I’m so pleased with her self-initiative and keeping on top of it. She’s often working ahead, because she knows that soccer games and youth group will take time later. If you would have seen her in 5th grade (and her penmanship!), you would be surprised to see the wonderful organization of her homework system and clear penmanship! What a great development with her own drive. Ok, I do have to make a big purchase at Staples each fall, but that’s a worthy investment in her learning!
The two soccer games this week were against very good teams. On Tuesday, Anya wasn’t feeling well and didn’t play, complicated with the fact that the last time we were at that high school stadium it was the brain cancer walk. There was a flood of memories. She played well on Thursday in a deluge of rain. There were only 2 parents for our team enduring the rain that game.
This week, one of the things I’m grateful for is the friendship of Jean and Marv, who mow my lawn! While they say they need the exercise, I know they are freeing me up for my dissertation and being mom.
With blessings,
Beth