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And So It Begins ... Part II - By KT Chen

1/28/2019

Last week was the first week of grad school for the semester. This week a polar vortex is here, and I'm hoping classes will be canceled. Or, at least some of them. Any of them. I just need a pause.

According to my calendar, the next three weeks are the bulk of my papers / presentations / major assignments. Then I get a reprieve until the last month, where I'll have three papers. (I will, of course, be working on those papers in the months between February and May).

I just need to survive the next three weeks.

Starting with this one.

Go forth and write!

Some of my reading for this semester ...

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And So It Begins - by KT Chen

1/21/2019

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Nothing like running at break-neck speed into graduate classes.

For my only class on Monday, I had a professor that wanted me to "prove" I had a disability. A trip to my audiologist and the Disabilities Service Center on campus, along with some paperwork, solved that. Thankfully, everyone involved was fast at getting things handled.

In my novel writing workshop on Tuesday, I was told that each of us are going to submit work for review 3 times during the semester, and are required to have 50 pages each time. Daunting task, really. On the up side, I will probably finish my novel this semester. On the downside, I have a lot of work to do in the next two weeks to have my first 50 pages ready-to-go.

On Wednesday I learned that my publishing workshop also wants us to have work to submit to publishers. (This makes perfect sense, and I'm kind of kicking myself for not seeing this coming). I've got a few older pieces that I can dust off, but nothing truly submit-worthy. Especially since I think in terms of books and not short stories for magazines and the like. Still, I'm up to the challenge, and interested if I can make any money off of anything I have laying around right now.

Thursday, I thought I was prepared to discuss Moby Dick. Turns out, I wasn't. Not even close. And, bonus points, I got assigned to present the end of the book next week. The only good thing about that is, once I've presented, I don't have to do that again. The bad thing about it is that it's next freaking week. I'm so not ready.

So, I'm sitting here facing my second week of the semester, already feeling a bit overwhelmed. -- I have everything read / done for this coming week. But the two weeks after this one are really going to be rough.

And so it begins ...

Go forth and write!

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New Semester, Same Deaf Problems - by KT Chen

1/14/2019

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Today marks the first day of a new semester of grad school for me. Like all "first days," I'm a little nervous, a little excited, and a little resigned.

The professor of one of my literature classes posted the syllabus last night, and this morning was the first time I got a chance to look at it. -- It was reading pretty straightforward, until I got to the cell phone policy.

I understand professors wanting to crack down on the use of electronics in class. I get that. Having been a teacher, electronics were a sticking point with me also. However, and this is a big however, my hearing aids are Blue-toothed into my phone. I control the volume and programming from my phone. This means I have to have it out, and be able to use it, in class.

I'm sure I'll get an exception. Thanks to the trifecta: the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), and WIA (Workplace Investment Act), I am afforded some leeway as to rules and regulations about things like this. Still, it is always a stark reminder that, even now, I have to advocate for what I need to be successful.

I sometimes wonder what not having a disability is like.

So, today I will square my shoulders, embrace my nervousness, lean into my excitement, and resignedly handle self-advocacy. It's a new semester, and with it, new knowledge and challenges - even in the face of old problems.

Go forth and write!

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Still Moving ... - by KT Chen

1/7/2019

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I had hoped for a smooth transition from one website to the other, but that's not happening. So, I apologize.

I'm waiting on the KrisChen.com website to be transferred over so I can get started.

Life and it's challenges.

Go forth and write!

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And So It Begins ... Part II - By KT Chen

And So It Begins - by KT Chen

New Semester, Same Deaf Problems - by KT Chen

Still Moving ... - by KT Chen

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