survived: Part I
I (barely) made it through exam one. Here is a rundown:
What suprised me most: How *physically* grueling a process it was (though I had a friend mention this aspect to me, I had no idea how much it would affect me). Most of the three days I felt like I’d been through a tremendous workout (only worse–if that makes any sense)–my hip hurt, my legs ached, knots in my upper back into my neck, my fingers and hands ached and had pins and needles. This is NOT a body that is accustomed to sitting around for long periods of time.
The questions I answered: I answered one question on Althusser’s theory of ideology and subsequent debates within cultural studies around historical materialism and ideology; and whether or not I thought anything could be garnered from Althusser for the future of cultural studies. The other question was about the role of the writing classroom within capitalism–whether or not it complicates any straightforward sense of economic determinism; in what ways it might mirror capitalist relations of production; whether there is a distinction between the space of the writing classroom and that of the university.
What I ate and drank: as much coffee and sugar as I wanted (I’m sure that really helped with the body aches and pains).
Breaks: one walk, one half hour of jeopardy, breakfast/lunch/dinner, some dishes, some laundry after cheyanne got sick on D’s favorite blanket, a bit of crocheting, helping D with her puzzle (that was her exam weekend project)–I think I added a total of about six pieces (out of 1,000); one hour of L Word
What I did as soon as I clicked “send”: went to the gym; came home and tried to go for a walk, but the snow squalls and wind made it really tricky; went and bought a new stove (only ours is in white, and we didn’t buy it at home depot, and we didn’t pay that price for it)!
The worst part: knowing I have to do it again this weekend.
