Weekend Musings

I really should be working on being able to explain and explore chapter one of my dissertation, but it seems that writing a blog took priority over that today. (This is what Dr. Barrett calls, “dissertation avoidance behavior” and I am AWESOME at it!)

Most weekends I have a LOT of work to do and it is almost impossible to do anything at home. My kid is there, my wife is there, the couch and the television are there...need I say more? ​

I am grateful that the Music Education department offers office space to graduate students in the Music Ed. Annex. This is the building that housed the music ed faculty before their offices were moved to be inside the music building. It’s easy to miss, but it is on the same side of Oregon Street as the music building, so that’s convenient. 

This morning, after completing my bi-weekly COVID test at the campus rec center (CRCE), I climbed the rickety stairs up to the third floor, I made sure that my mask was up and that I sanitized my hands and walked straight to my office to close the door so I could remove my mask. Before I describe the inside of my office, I’ll share with you the common space, which has a comfy couch that I have definitely “not” fallen asleep on. LOL! I am also able to print for free while I am up here (contact the IT department if you are not super great at making one piece of technology talk to the other one). 

Anyway, so my office - since it can be a  little drafty here, my wife and I hauled an electric fireplace that was collecting dust in my bedroom to my office (this fireplace may or may not be staying here, it was heavy!). It makes this space feel so much more like home, so working here is not as bad as it could be. It is a nice space and if you’re coming into this program as a grad student, make sure you see Dr. Nathan Mandel the Operations and Properties Manager for the department. He, or one of his student workers, will find a space for you and assign you keys and such. 

Today’s high is 57 degrees so working inside seems less than preferred - but having the sounds of wind chimes and a desktop that makes it feel like I am sitting outside helps. I do have three windows that look out on some apartments, but I can still see the sunshine! Okay, I should really get back to business now. This dissertation is not going to write itself.

Miranda (M.R.) Rowland
2nd year PhD student, music education