First Day of Classes - Spring Term
Well, today was my first day of classes for Spring Term. Technically, yesterday was the FIRST day of classes, but I slept through yesterday so that makes today my first day of classes. Today was the start of Doctrine and Covenants and Deductive Logic where we learned (in 25 minutes or less) what an argument really is. This was illustrated by a Monty Python sketch where John Cleese and one of the other Pythons (no one could remember which one) were having a five minute argument. The not-John Cleese character stated, essentially, an argument is a conclusion supported by assertions. This was funny. We laughed. The professor (who is defending his thesis this summer - I think) shared some additional examples of arguments and not-arguments and then class was done.
Truth told, writing that (and I write very quickly) took longer than the class period did, today.
However, we will get to do readings and assignments and practices and in the end, we will get to turn much of that in and get graded on it. The one thing I found interesting about the Logic class was how the professor decided to approach the first day: "How many of you are here preparing to take the LSAT?" Most of the class raised their hands and he followed that up with, "How many are going to take the LSAT soon?" Fewer hands this time, but still... the majority of students were there in preparation for the LSAT, which, interestingly enough, does not negate them also being there as Philosophy majors.
Erin has told me, in the past, that a large percentage of Philosophy majors intend to go into law. That disturbs me for some reason; and yet, I still want to take the Logic classes (did before the waving of second language requirement) and look forward to this exercise is Deductive and then Predicate Logics.
Actually, along those lines, we decided that I should take Predicate Logic in the summer rather than in the fall. The reason: scheduling. Since we will be having a child in the early part of the semester and since Erin is also trying to work on her Master's degree at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, having the time (in the late afternoon early evening) where I am not in class clears up some of what Erin needs so she can travel to school and I can take over baby responsibilities.
What I think I would like to accomplish is finding a non-BYU writing job that will let me work mornings before school (currently set aside for Erin to work after baby) that will also allow us the latitude to do the things we'd like to do. Truth told, this is the final stretch, I have a handful (actually a little more) of classes and then I am done with BYU. This is both bittersweet and happy all at the same time. I don't plan to walk, nor do I plan to arrange my life to walk, the school can mail me my diploma, and in the end, I will move on to the next steps and next stages as soon as I can when I am done. I am just saying, I would like to have something set up for work before the end of the year so I can transition, quickly, into the new job.
Regardless, I believe that things will be okay, we will get to move into the new courses of action and life will be wonderful. Along the way there will be hurdles and hardships. Having a child is only going to add to the need to coordinate and the stress associated with providing for a family. But, outside of all the negative things that one can associate with a new baby (e.g. cost and time) I understand that the unquantifiable benefits far outweigh the negatives and make for a good life.
And, it also influences me to want to find stable, good paying, employment for the long term. Crazy! I know.
John Hattaway | smokingpen | Alicia Grey | Clockwork Princess | Cassandra West
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