Composition:
Chicago Marathon tee (runner's expo)
new to my closet medium wash skinnies (American Eagle)
black leather belt (Gap?)
Usage:
Some days when I work from home, I get up early, shower, get dressed in a cute outfit and shoes, and sit down to type. Pulling my outfit together helps me feel like I'm bringing my "A game" to my writing.
Obviously, this was not one of those days. I'm doing a lot of work from home this semester, so I've been spending a lot of time in jeans, tees, and bare feet. I still get up early and shower, but I usually forgo makeup and hair products. Most of my time at home is spent reading and lesson planning, both of which I can do on the couch, so that's where my husband usually finds me when he gets home from work. When end-of-term paper writing time comes up, I know I'll be stationed at the table with all my materials spread out around me, and at that point, "getting dressed" plays an important role in getting me going. Right now, though, I'm enjoying the fact that one of the many privileges of being a graduate student is spending time in my own space.
I know this outfit is not particularly "stylish," and some may even consider it a step backwards in my goal to dress better in the casual register. I still felt good in it, though. I know most ladies aren't tucking in tee shirts these days, but I still think it looks better, and I like the faded detailing on these new jeans I purchased to back up my favorite dark skinnies. My feet always get cold, though. I have a few pairs of fuzzy socks that I rotate between, but I think I might be in the market for slippers for the first time in my life. Or maybe some sherpa socks? This past weekend was the Chicago Marathon, so I broke out my marathon tee to remind myself that even though it's been seven years, training for and completing that race is still one of my proudest accomplishments. When I was reading Ngugi's Grain of Wheat earlier this semester (a novel set in the context of Kenyan Independence), I was struck by how strongly my own attitude toward running resonated with of one character's reflections on it. Ngugi writes, "He had even developed a theory about such races. 'They test how long you can endure hardship,' he used to say. 'You say to yourself. I will not give up: I will see this to the end'" (229). Distance running has helped me develop the belief that I'm capable of seeing things to the end, and that belief has been instrumental to my success so far as a graduate student.
Work Cited:
Ngugi Wa Thiang'O. A Grain of Wheat. Heinemann/Pearson Education Limited: 1967, 2008.
Prompts:
- If you have the opportunity to work from home, what do you wear? Do you alternate between casual and "dressy" attire based on the tasks you'll accomplish that day, or am I the only one who does this?
- Do you ever stay in your pajamas all day? Sometimes I can stay in mine for a few hours if I'm planning to take a break by heading to the gym, but I have to shower and get dressed or I find it hard to stay productive.
- Do you have any suggestions for warm, comfortable around-the-house footwear?
- What non-academic activities do you participate in that help you in your studies?
Posts
7 comments:
Your viewpoint on running is very inspiring, and very applicable to other parts of life as well. And I cannot tell you how jealous I am that you get to work from home sometimes! What I wouldn't give to be on the couch all day!! :)
I definitely agree with you that there are many similarities between running and completing an advanced degree. There will be many times when you'll be exhausted and bored and want to give up, but if you keep putting one foot in front of the other and if you keep reading and writing, you will finish! I tend to wear my old race swag for training. It's especially good on days where the motivation is low to have a visual reminder on my chest that I have completed 13.1 and 26.2.
I worked from home a lot when I was a grad student (I didn't find shared office space conducive to productivity), and I still do a lot of work on the weekends at home. But the draw of the campus office is pretty strong too. I will often tell myself that I can't go home until I've completed a particular task.
When I work from home, most days, I stay in my pajamas. Without showering. Some days, I shower and put on what I will later wear to the gym. I'm way more productive doing the latter than the former. And I'm most productive of all if I get dressed and, at least, start working elsewhere--library, coffee shop, friends' living room, etc.
To finish editing a paper last week I had to confine myself to the library and to a library computer (amidst the undergrads) until 9:30 p.m. It was the only way.
When I used to stay home to work/study, it wasn't so much about what I wore to get me in the right mindset as what I surrounded myself with. I had to make my bed, have tidied the house the night before; reduce the distractions. That plus just changing out of my pajamas really helped me start my day.
This is just to say that whenever you talk or write about running, you makes me want to lace up my sneakers and go for a jog. :)
-AM
Target has great moccasin slipper things that are my go to shoe for in the house. Like these for example: http://www.target.com/Chaia-Moccasin-Slippers-Leopard-Lining/dp/B003KWY5QA/ref=sc_qi_detaillink
I was looking for american eagle coupons how can I find? thanks
Post a Comment