Elections and I have nothing to say!! Wow!

It is the day after US elections, albeit not a very big year, and I have nothing to say! I have been too busy to stay caught up on the latest crack - but you KNOW I voted by absentee...

So, what's new here?

Classes are going well - I am just starting my 'Sociology of Nationalism' essay. I am going to meet with the professor tomorrow, but I am leaning towards the topic of nationalism and identity - perhaps a critical theorist perspective; is nationalism, as it exhibits itself gendered? unfavourably racially or ethnically biased? or perhaps always driven by the hegemon?

Today's seminar on 'class' and how the middle class influences the establishment of nation-states helped a little in making the choice finally. I was looking at the topic of justice, but I think that might be a bit broad for a 4,000 word essay.

This weeks lectures in IR and IPEU courses actually pretty good - not that they are normally bad, but they were more engaging and got away from the reading a bit more, which is a nice challenge. IR focused on social constructivist theories - which, are bit hard to wrap your brain around, but once you get it, it makes sense. And, suprisingly, the lecture in IPEU on the European Monetary Unit (union) was interesting, mostly because Howarth had to go off the cuff a bit since his powerpoint didn't work; more professors should teach on the fly I think.

We are in week 10 of the semester for WIS program. The students are all back from their 10 day break and most of them are glad to be 'home'. We have such a nice bunch this semester!!

At the end of the month we get to greet our friend Kris Mumm (and her friend) to Scotland!! She's obviously been before, and will spend most of her time in Alnwick with Wade, but we did get tickets to go see PamAnn in Glasgow, so we will hop on the train and have a fun night out!! PamAnn is HYSTERICAL! I saw her and blogged about it in August - good bitchy funny!

Other good news - I JUST found out today that Tim booked us for Gran Canaria for December 17!!! So, a nice reward for the end of the program and me getting all my essays and first term done, an equatorial holiday will be an amazing hot and fun beach get away!

Finally - I am looking forward to lots of friends coming over in December! Kim, Amy, Chris, Tammy, Boy Corey, Dan and Gentry are all arriving after Christmas! We'll have a full house and the holidays are best spent with good friends. I am excited.

Okay - I must work now!