My sabbatical officially started last week, when the rest of my colleagues returned to campus for accountability week. This week has been the first week of classes and I've been following my work family mostly via Facebook this week. I've got to admit - I miss them, and these days are going to take some getting used to and will need some some self-imposed structure.
I plan on using this blog for multiple purposes: 1. chronicle my sabbatical activities 2. reflect on my professional growth 3. as a note book to jot down things I think of and future plans. 4. as a personal diary to reflect on my personal growth and experiences during this year.
As a step towards daily self-imposed structure, I have scheduled the following weekly activities. I'll be using recurring google calendar reminders to keep me on track.
- Read New Scientist and High Country News regularly. These publications help me keep in touch with science news and Western environmental issues
Since my daughter changed schools my ability to attend certain courses has changed. Instead of traveling to Tucson for botanical art classes, I have found several online options. I am signing up for the "Drawing Fundamentals" course offered by Mindy Lighthipe that starts on Sept 20th.
Here are the other online botanical drawing courses I found, for future reference. If the fundamentals class goes well I think I might like to continue with some of these in the future
- Cornell Cooperative Extension Botanical Illustration course (8 weeks per course, and they offer I, II, and III)
- Dianne Sutherland courses (longer, 6 months)
- Mindy Lighthipe.
Also I learned that the Strawbale Building workshop I had planned on attending in Nevada in November was cancelled. I have the option of going to one in October in Choctaw, OK, or taking my chances and waiting for the 2018 schedule and attending one in May. I have yet to decide for sure but I'm leaning towards the May 2018 option.
In terms of personal well-being, I'm continuing to train for my first Olympic distance triathlon which is on Sept 17th, and I've been tackling some home projects which is a relaxation for me.
