Waves,

High fives for getting through most of the application!

Mari

Sista sista,

You do know you write beautifully and perfectly right ? It is always a pleasure to read you

Essays !? You can do that !!!!!

Aww, thanks Mari!

It wasn't exactly short, either.

One part was fun... similar to a word game. The rest was mostly corrections or explaining why things were incorrect - a combined test of knowledge and communication skills it seemed.

waves

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Majo!

I will try to explain more about my hang-up with the essays later on.

Good.

We can take our fun anyway we find it.

Mari

Waves,

I hope I did not come across as minimizing the thought processes that go into these decisions.

Mari

Right. I think the problem here is I'm blocked by the fear of turning the stuff in. The fear is great enough it is freezing me up. It isn't so much being stuck on what to say.
this is interesting, and i will look at the link too.
I do use paper occasionally, but I am quite accustomed to the computer now. Probably six of one, half a dozen of the other. Factoring in privacy concerns, the computer is probably better.

thanks Mari.

waves

The application form is a word document on my computer. The essays will go at the end. I may prepare them in separate documents and then paste them them in, but basically, where I write is not an issue for me. Neither is the content or even the structure. ItThe issue is my fear of messing up some subtle linguistic aspect, since this whole application is about my potentials to teach the language.

I do know how to break down the task - I was taught to write essays in this way: 1. choose a structure, 2. jot down structure (outline), 3. fill in the outline (content), 4. write text from the detailed outline (composition) 5. proof-read and correct any errors.

My fear is about the last step. I am afraid of not catching every single possible error! The fear is great enough I can't seem to get past the (very high level) outlines I did last week.

I feel like my admission to the course hinges on a perfect application. I also feel like it is an exam of sorts - even the spellchecker seems like a cheat, although I know it would be stupid not to use it. At the same time, I feel I should write somewhat freely, so they can see weaknesses I have (through errors!) - areas where I might need improvement.

Well hows that for some mixed up thinking?

-------------------------

Now, do I just write something, fix any obvious errors and send it, or do I spend the next 5 years laboring over a couple of paragraphs, in order not to boldly split some infinitive no man has split before?

waves

Waves,

Send it in and move on.
These essays are not the entire application. The rest of the application counts for something.

The school wants to see if you are an appropriate student for them and your essays demonstrate that.

I do understand the the emotions and the over thinking that can be focused on this, but at some point we can let go of our work and send it off.

The application is only one step in this journey. After this, you will have other steps.


Mari

I just can't seem to even get near the thing any more!

Today I slept most of the day after being up all night and then helped dad with a some medical appointment. Evening... ehhhh... the Grimm ate my homework.

I may be up some tonight. I will see what I can do. I will try to tell myself I don't have to turn it in, that I can decide later about that. Maybe that will get me through it.

GRRR, I feel so ridiculous I could just kick myself.