Mar 20, 2009

Thursday's Thoughts: What I Would Study


This week's Thursday's Thoughts question is

If you could study a subject that you’ve never had the opportunity to learn, what would you choose? This could be an academic class or the study of a specific skill or art.

I may be a day late on this week's question, but hey, I'm answering it. I've wanted to go back to college for some time now, more specifically graduate school for an MFA in Creative Writing or an MA in literature, and eventually a PhD so I could teach college courses. Unfortunately, that time has passed along with my grandmother; she was a great inspiration to me and provided much of the money I needed to get into undergrad. I thank her dearly. Graduate work is out of the question unless I win the lottery.

However, I've also wanted to take courses in photography, particularly to learn about composition. It also would be great to learn about developing photos the old fashioned way in chemicals and a dark room and how to use photoshop to modify digital photos. I did learn a great deal when I worked for five years at photography store in the area, and the people I worked with taught me a lot. But formal training in photography would be fantastic.

Another thing on my to-do list is to learn my father's native language, Portuguese. I've always loved other languages and can still speak some Spanish thanks to high school courses, but I would love to learn Portuguese and talk with my dad in his native tongue and head on over to the Azores to speak with those relatives as well.

I have a great many interests, but those are the top two on my list. What's on yours?

***Giveaway Reminder***

1 gently used ARC of Reading by Lightning by Joan Thomas; Deadline is March 20 at Midnight EST.

3 Copies of Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelly for U.S./Canada residents
1 copy of Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelly for an international resident
Deadline is March 24, 5pm EST

1 copy of Plum Spooky Audiobook by Janet Evanovich; Deadline is March 26 at 5PM

22 comments:

bermudaonion said...

It would be wonderful to go back to school now that we're a little "wiser". When we took our son to college for the first time, both my hubby and I had a longing for the college life.

Darlene said...

I had always wanted to be a nurse. Unfortunately my dad discouraged me but that would be what I'd do if I was younger and healthier. lol.

Serena said...

I've always wanted to go back to high school, but unfortunately the money is not there. :(

Iliana said...

I love learning... While I do make more of an effort and try to take a workshop or class on crafting, I wish I could really get more serious about languages. I've taken several language classes over the years and enjoyed them but you gotta practice. And, Portuguese would be one I'd love to learn too :)

Jeannie said...

Please let me know if you ever do take up Portuguese. I'm rusty but I studied the language for three years. Mike studied photography in college. He might be able to give you a few pointers with that.

You should go back and learn those great things. Don't laugh, because I just finished two years of Japanese, but I'm going back in the fall to study French. (I love languages too.)

P.S. I hope to find time to be online more in the coming days. I sure miss chatting with you and Anna both.

Serena said...

Iliana: I've taken Spanish, Latin, and Italian, but I am rusty in all three, though I can tell you what Latin I do remember helps me recognize words in other languages. That was the most useful class I ever had.

Jeannie: If I had the money, I would love to go and learn all of these things and more. I hope you are online more as well. I had no idea that you took Portuguese...you should become a translator for the government. :)

Ladytink_534 said...

I think I'd like to take a class on mythology :)

Serena said...

LadyTink: I adored mythology in school and I took a Greek tragedy course in college, which blended mythology into the course...I loved it.

Suey said...

I would say "ditto" to what you said... except the darkroom stuff, which I DID learn how to do!

The Bookworm said...

Fun question. When I was younger I wanted to be a reporter :)

http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Louise said...

Great question. I am about to finish University and hopefully get my MA in Egyptology this late spring/early summer.

I began University in 1994 and received my BA 3 years after, according to plan. Then I began working full time, and didn't really plan to take the MA. But I found myself taking a course here and there on the MA-level until 2003 where I began a career in an art museum here in Copenhagen. Last spring I realized that I actually wanted that MA and signed up for the thesis, which was the only thing missing if I was to get the degree.

However....while my studies in ancient art and languages has given me so many fantastic opportunities (which I can babble on about another day), if I should choose today, I would probably choose journalism or literature!

In fact, come autumn I plan on starting on another BA-degree in Literature, but this one I have to pay myself. The Danish state only provides you with one free university degree. If you want further education, you have to pay yourself. Which I guess is fair enough.

Serena said...

Naida: I also wanted to be a reporter ages ago.

Louise: egyptology must be fascinating. I have to say that I am incredibly jealous of you and your danish state...I had to pay for my first and only degree, which I am still paying for in student loans and will probably be paying for until I am 100. Literature is a fantastic topic.

Serena said...

Louise: Thanks for weighing in on the question. :)

Jenners said...

I agree -- photography would be a brilliant to study! I would like to really use a camera, understand it and how to actually compose a photo.

And I think I would love to know more about computer programming! I love playing around with it -- but I suspect it is not a good fit with my personality and I would be bored silly!

Toni said...

I will definitely pursue writing, literature and photography. I have never given up hope that I will finish school. ;)

Serena said...

Jenners: I also would love to learn HTML language to create my own webpages, but I think I may be too bored.

Toni: That's a great attitude to have.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

I'm not sure what I would do. I do have an MA, but do NOT want to go back for my PhD. (hate writing papers!). :P Learning another language would be wonderful. Have you thought about rosetta stone or another type of program to learn?

Serena said...

I have thought about rosetta stone...quite a bit recently. I may check it out more in depth soon.

Anonymous said...

My undergraduate degree is in "history of American civilization". I'd love to go back to school, even part-part-part time :)

The school I got my undergrad from offers a Master of Arts in "Museum Studies" which I think I'd be all over. I've also considered the genealogy certificate program that BU offers ... maybe in a year or so when all the kids are in school.

In the meantime, I've taken little courses here and there thru our town's continuing ed program.

Serena said...

Dawn: That's fantastic.

Anna said...

I'd go back to school and finish up those science courses and clinical to get my vet tech certificate and then go to vet school. I don't know why I dropped out for English and Sociology. I'd also want to take some art classes, become the next Bob Ross. LOL And I'd love to learn German and track down my family over there.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Serena said...

Bob Ross....lol Hilarious. Vet Tech, I could get some free or discounted vet care then!