Wow, I almost forgot to post a review for this month! But here it is: my first GHDR review post.
School has been a bit of a challenge, and my health is dodgy — I’m still recovering, clearly, and struggling with the after effects of the Gluten Incident, as I’ve been calling it. (Did I make a post about that here? I’ll do that; some of y’all probably don’t know what I’m even talking about…) My professors have been pretty great about it, but I’ve been feeling exhausted and depressed. Still, I’ve managed to get a lot done, even if I still need to do other things.
I’ve also been using Dave Seah’s GHDR Tracker Form, which has been pretty useful, and has helped me realize I am getting things done, even when I don’t feel like it. Here’s the ones I completed for February:
(This month’s resolution review below the cut:)
Goals:
- Build up my small press
- Consciously love and care for myself
- Continue learning and expanding my skill set
Month in Review:
What worked? What didn’t?
1) This week, I moved ahead on a project through the press, one of two projects I want to get done this year. I secured funding for it through a community partnership, from a grant focused on health & wellness in the Black community.
So, here’s some details: I am planning to host several poetry writing workshop sessions for Black survivors of violence in April, and then publish a book in May, with a launch event and reading. I’m hoping to get 10-15 folks to participate, and no experience is needed. (If you are Black, local to the Portland metro area, identify as a survivor of violence, and are interested in participating, please email mourningglorypub@gmail.com; feel free to pass the info along, as well!)
2) My sleep got out of whack, and I’ve been struggling a lot with that, since it so quickly and obviously impacts my functionality. I’ve also been struggling to get my physical therapy exercises done every day — though mainly just forgetting to do them half the time.
The transition to gluten free life has been much less traumatic than it could have been, owing in no small part to the wonderfulness of my community: some friends chipped in funds to help me buy some staples after I purged my pantry of gluten-containing foods, and many folks have been giving me rides to get groceries, and sharing their recipes and resources. Basically, I have the best folks in my corner, and I’m very grateful for all of you. I pulled a lot of recipes, and made a list of GF foods and meal ideas, and have been cooking a lot. The downside is that I sometimes don’t have time, and I don’t know where I can get cheap, substantive food on campus that is GF on the days I forget to bring food or don’t have time to cook. Still figuring some things out.
3) I am finishing up my study abroad applications, and figuring out what I need to do and know if I get accepted to the program. I met with the Black Studies advisor and we clarified my goals and path to graduation. As long as I pass my classes this term and next, and complete a Capstone, I am completely on track to graduate this year.
I am letting go of applying to the MA in Publishing, since I don’t need it to acquire the skills and connections I need to run my press, and I already own and run a small press, so my time and money might be better applied elsewhere. Instead, I’m looking into History PhD programs. I have been loving my African History course this term (African History Since 1800), and I’m registered for East African Civilizations, and Women in African Culture and History next term. I’m hoping to specialize in African Diasporic History. If I can do that and get my PhD, I would then potentially be able to teach history, Black studies, women studies, and human geography courses; it’s a rather flexible degree, and if I can’t find a teaching job I might be able to work in a museum program or find another job it could apply to. Beyond that, I’m really excited by and passionate about history — my poor roommate has had to listen to me ramble on about it at length — and would love to make it interesting for other people who have less passion for it than I do.
Planning the Next Month:
What am I working on going forward?
1) I need to pick dates and secure locations for the workshops and event, finalize my workshop outline, and start publicizing this. It’s only a month away, but it’s definitely doable.
2) I really need to create a meal plan and shopping list before I next go grocery shopping. I also need to go see a doctor, since I’m having some alarming issues since the Gluten Incident, primarily continuous dehydration and food cravings which may indicate I’m failing to absorb some nutrients that I need. (I’ve been craving and eating a lot of carrots lately. Not a bad craving, but combined with the dry, dry skin — my lips often crack if I smile too widely, for instance — it’s causing me concern.)
3) I have to finalize my study abroad apps — I’m meeting with an advisor tomorrow — and apply for a passport. I also need to do some research on PhD programs to find some I may want to apply to, and reach out to faculty in those programs. My history professor this term has agreed to meet with me to talk about programs, so I need to email her to find time for that. I also need to finish up the term, which means I have five papers to write between now and March 16th, and a presentation next Tuesday. So, once I’ve posted this, I’m going to get to work on that!
See all of the Groundhog Day Resolutions posts here.
Tessara Dudley, Poet-Publisher-Educator-Activist 