Four-hour essay tests are tough, particularly if whether you graduate or not hangs in the balance. I just finished the second of two tests I have to pass to get my Master’s in T.E.S.L., about ten minutes ago. I say it was “tough,” but that’s a relative term. For sure, it was easier than writingContinue reading “Tests”
Author Archives: Katie Botkin
On daughters, college, and nouveau patriarchy
At this moment, in my family and extended family, there are just three females born Botkin who still remain Botkin: me, and <a href=”http://visionarydaughters.com/”>Anna and Elizabeth</a>. These two girls are more or less leaders in a Christian movement encouraging daughters to stay at home until marriage. They quote scripture to support this idea; Proverbs 7:11,Continue reading “On daughters, college, and nouveau patriarchy”
Guidelines for writing argument essays (and for living life in general)
1. Act charitably to all men and women, especially when dealing with differences of opinion. There are intelligent people out there with hugely varying views. I guarantee it, some of your opponents are smarter than you. A yelling match will not win them over. 2. Be clear about what it is that you’re saying. FindContinue reading “Guidelines for writing argument essays (and for living life in general)”
surprise
He got an antique ring off ebay using my account. I forwarded him the emails verifying the purchase. You can see if you like it; I don’t have to keep it, he said. It’s not very expensive. So what, I said. It’s cool. It’s a brown-pink champagne diamond set in filigreed white gold. It’s me.Continue reading “surprise”
in the hills outside Dallas
Once upon a time, when I was visiting Berlin, a woman remarked upon the Oregon acreage I used to call home. She had also seen it, and she said that it reminded her “of East Germany before the wall came down.” People staying in the same spot and doing the same things with a sortContinue reading “in the hills outside Dallas”
Arguing by rote
My English 102 students are supposed to be constructing argumentative essays. They come in to meet with me, as scheduled, with handwritten outlines and typed-up introductions. They want to argue about wolves, educational policy, abortion, technology, gun control. I sit across from them… the minimal age difference seems acutely obvious, this close… and ask whatContinue reading “Arguing by rote”
Waiting for the bus
Inter City bus lines comes through Turangi, the self-styled trout fishing capital of the world (where fishing will set you back $120 NZ), at 1:10 a.m., less than two hours from now. It comes through more than once, but this way we save on hostel fees. We can sleep on the bus… at least inContinue reading “Waiting for the bus”
The New Zealand Penguin flu
We hostel cleaners stay in a little space under the stairs in a dorm called Penguin. It is cold in Penguin. Daniel and I have gotten what I think is Influenza. We’re finally on the upswing today, and heading to Christchurch.
Auckland to Kaikoura
Blogger in New Zealand seems to be stuck in Japanese, so I’m not a hundred percent sure what I’m doing here. Tomorrow it will have been two weeks since we left… or rather, the day after tomorrow back home. We landed in Auckland. Auckland is boring. Think Seattle with nothing to do. They call itContinue reading “Auckland to Kaikoura”
After 35 hours of travel and a few more resting
There is no time. No day, night. No hour for eating, or sleeping. I am always tired, always dozing, but never fully asleep. I am never hungry and never full. I am fed dinner at midnight local time and then breakfast at 3 a.m. local time. These are seven hours apart. I am in crowds.Continue reading “After 35 hours of travel and a few more resting”
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