Sunday 11 April 2010

The Joy of Learning

"Now that you've pointed it out, it's glaringly obvious"
work colleague Daniel says as I push my fringe back to show him my taped up specs.

Anyway! The thing I'm going to miss about my writing course when it ends in mid-May are the prompts my tutor throws into his lessons to get us all thinking about not just what we want to write but why.

For instance with the current life writing section he ask that we use "a particular sound, touch, smell or taste.. from the present to an episode in your past. What is it about the present experience which triggers the memory, what are the differences between the present you and the past you and what is overwhelming in the memory evoked? Instead of concentrating on the logical framework, e.g. ‘I was only ten years old…’, recall the feelings associated.. e.g.what did it feel like to be ten years old on that particular day?"

So say I love tutti-frutti ice cream. I love the bits inside the ice cream. I love that the ice cream isn't just ice- cream - all cold and creamy. It reminds me of my family excursions to the beach when my dad was alive. How he'd always buy me a tutti-frutti flavoured ice cream, how he'd laugh as I pick the bits off first to eat because I liked doing silly things like that and how he found it funny.

So here's to great teachers. And here is a fun sketch about the importance of learning your ABC



:-)

Charlie says who needs ice cream when you can have perfectly good bark. Nom, nom, nom!

Have a happy Monday everyone!

16 comments:

Cheyenne -Millie said...

Ha! Ha! Bark is pretty yummy!

Brian's Home Blog said...

Charlie, you're a kitty, you're not supposed to bark!

Beth Zimmerman said...

You are one funny lady! :) I'm a little dismayed to discover that Charlie is another cat! I was hoping there was some romance afoot! :) Dare I hope that there may be some of that around here somewhere too?

Thanks for the follow! I'm looking forward to getting to know you! :)

SF said...

Funny video!
I know how you feel about the writing course. I finish at the end of this year, and am already worried about not having ANY kind of prompts to write! I spose that's why it's so important to be part of a writing group, or even keep blogging to stay motivated.
Sounds like you have an interesting tutor!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely memory to have :o)

Susan Fields said...

You're almost done with your writing course! Sounds like you'll miss it, but it's an accomplishment to celebrate - congrats!

Jacqueline said...

It's very cool how a smell, taste, sound or touch can bring a memory back to the forefront of your mind; and memory itself is so strange, how things can seem like a long time ago and yesterday all at the same time...Love the Charlie picture, he looks happy in the garden...xo...Calle, Halle, Sukki

fairyhedgehog said...

Happy Monday, Kitty! And thanks for the funny video!

Kea said...

What a terrific teacher he seems to be! You deserve a huge pat on the back for all your hard work for the course.

Charlie is just so smoochable. *Sigh* LOL. Does he nom on the grass now?

umi_e said...

HI... Happy Monday :)

* Put more videos ok ;)

Ann said...

Good Monday morning to you, even though it is afternoon for you! Great memory about the ice cream. Do you still like that flavour?

My writing class ends this week. I will miss the deadlines. They kept me on task.

SuziQCat said...

Nom, nom, nom Charlie!

Loved the story and the description from your writing class.

Debra Harris-Johnson said...

We have something else in common beside Daniel Craig. My dad adored tutti frutti ice cream. It is very hard to find anymore. What I would give for some. I immediately think of my wonderful dad just from the thought of ice cream. Thanks for jogging my memory.

Talli Roland said...

Love that photo of Charlie. He is so squeezable!

I'm really enjoying hearing about your writing course. Great teachers can make all the difference!

Theresa Milstein said...

I love the idea of using all of your five senses to conjure up one particular memory.

That was a great ABC video!

Charlie seems to have settled into your world - inside and outside - just fine.

By the way, Harry Potter had busted glasses too, so you're in good company. You just have to learn the spell.

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

What a great memory -- and what a wonderful thought provoking exercise! Indeed this is a very extraordinary teacher!

OH Charlie there must've been some good whiffs on that branch. Just loved the look on your face!

purrs
>^,,^<
Abby