October

October is so far the busiest month I've had, academically or otherwise, since I moved to the US. Although submitting a paper or two on a weekly basis is quite the norm, last week, I had to turn in four papers! Doesn't sound too daunting a task but of course, we are required to read tons of articles before writing the papers, so there's a whole lot of reading right there! But most of the articles are quite interesting, thought provoking or emotionally stirring ( like the essay on the Philippine Exhibition during the 1904 Louisiana Exposition) and they always offer something valuable to learn or validate what I already know. So that's done, on to the next two dozen other requirements!

We were encouraged to apply for a MetLife Fellowship to attend American Association of Museum's Excellence and Equity–Then, Now, Next: Education and the Public Dimension of Museums web conference for our Introduction to Museology class. I was advised by our Professor (who is also my adviser and GAship boss) to play the "Fulbright card" in my application essay. I was hesitant in mentioning it because I thought that having an existing scholarship while applying for another will work against me. But my Prof. said that having one is like a seal of approval of some sort. I guess he's right since I got the accepted! 

In the spirit of keeping a good school-life balance (borrowing the term work-life balance advocated by HR people), I also kept myself busy with other extra curricular activities. Much to my sister's disbelief, I have been watching ( and loving it too!) sports events such as the UF vs Kentucky volleyball match. I only remember watching lame volleyball intersection games from my HS days so the first time I watched a competitive volleyball game, I was amazed at how exciting it was! With my heart-pounding at almost every dive, block and kill, I cheered as loudly as the rest of the Gators. And yes, we won the game!

Then of course there's football. Before I left for the US, I knew nothing about footbal nor was I interested in watching games, except when Keanu Revees was the quarterback hahaha. But football is such a big deal here in UF that you cannot help but be drawn to it. I've seen two games so far and in both games the Gators beat two strong rivals - LSU and Georgia. Go Gators!

I also went on two trips outside of Gainesville last month. First was the Mid-Florida Fulbright field trip to the Homossasa Springs, where we saw the manatees, then to the Crystal River Archaeological State Park. You can browse the pictures on my photos page or click here to go directly there.

Two weeks ago, we drove to Tampa for Moe's baby shower. Moe is the wife of a fellow Pinoy UF, Ian, and they are both PhD candidates in Physics, although Moe is finishing hers at the University of South Florida - ergo the road trip to Tampa. We had loads of fun and yummy food, including leche flan!!! 

After the shower, Moe took us around USF and showed us a liquid magnet or ferrofluids. Amazing huh? One of the perks of being around science peeps is learning cool stuff over casual conversations. Liquid magnet, I never knew such a thing even existed!

                                                                                                             

                                                          Wow look, tall buildings! Many tall buildings! We don't get to see a lot of those in Gainesville

Moe's mini-show and tell

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        The following day, before driving back to Gainesville (and reality), we went to see the Dali Museum first. I must admit that I was not very interested in his works before since I found them too bizarre- he is a surrealist after all. But I gained a new respect and appreciation for him and his works after visiting the museum and listening to the guided tour. See, that's why it is important to take a guided tour if you have the chance because the information they give you during the tour will add another dimension to your museum visit. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      This month also marks my 31st birthday. Lindsay, my classmate from my Curriculum in Teaching Art course, made birthday cupcakes for me, while my professor started the class with a hat making-demo - it was also a practice for the upcoming Imagination Station we're supposed to help out with. After class, I went to dinner with a couple of friends (Pinoy UF, Fulbright and Museum Studies) at the Swamp. 

I ended the month by going to the Friday Gator Night and went to one of the evening's booth where you can dress up and have your photo taken. Of course since it was Halloween,I got to pick the witch costume :) 

Seven more weeks and the semester will be over then I'm off to California!