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Ch 02: PPU and Microfiction Field Notes

Reactions and (W)ritings

So for this week, I’m structuring my blog posts in two halves. The first will be a reaction to reading this week’s reading, and the second I will be sharing a few of my writings based on our pertaining to short writing.


To start off with, I enjoyed the information The Post-Pandemic University and the Caring Gap. Of all of the readings so far in this graduate program, this is definitely the most current one as it discusses the lack of accessible options for people in academia who do not fit into certain criteria, in a world continuously affected by COVID.

The theme of the importance of caring was crucial in understanding the significance of cooperating for everyone’s benefit. We need to think more about the lives people have behind their work ones and offer opportunities for growth. I know many people who are parents, teachers and leaders who still partake in classwork and I cannot imagine the workload they must go through. I myself work with two jobs, caring for my family, work on my own artwork and still feel like I’m not good enough because of my limited time to do everything efficiently. I remember last March when people said that ‘we had all the time in the world to do everything’ but I know a lot of people did not have that opportunity or benefit. I felt like I had to do more to receive a semblance of my life before. This article made me think about how like in academia, our time and resources could be better managed/distributed to contribute to an overall environment that helps us as much as we help it, even if it is considered ‘against the norm’.

I’m really looking forward to our upcoming class because I feel a lot of people are going through the same thing and between all of us in a discussion, understand what can be done or what needs reconsideration.


This small section will relate to Laura Gibb’s presentation on the wonderful world of ‘seed stories’. Short stories are an absolute favorite of mine, so I wanted to see if I can brush up on my old creative writing abilities and see what I can come up with (it won’t be good, so keep that in mind!)

Just one hug.

One hug is what we need right now.

A form of validation and assurance that everything is alright.

Bear hug, polite hug, intimate hug, one-way hug, buddy hug, anything.

Remind me that the world can still be beautiful.

That the world has not run out of love.


I also wanted to take part in Prof. Levine’s 5 Card Story, so I’ll paste the link to it below. It’s not necessarily a reflection of my thoughts but rather what came to me when I picked the images. But then again, isn’t the story a part of me?


Five Card Story: Blurred Thoughts

a Five Card Flickr story created by Hugo Gatica


flickr photo by bionicteaching


flickr photo by bionicteaching


flickr photo by Serenae


flickr photo by bionicteaching


flickr photo by Serenae

Days blur with one another, my vision and mind cannot distinguish or make sense of what goes on now.

I once looked at the door of possibilities that lay before me, but it doesn’t seem open anymore. Not locked but remains shut.

My mind wanders to the mundane and sees things in new perspectives. With how quiet everything is now, even the smallest things seem inspiring. Never take for granted and appreciate the simplicity.

The highways don’t seem as exciting to navigate through now. Why venture out when I’m more concerned for my well-being and others? I feel closed off.

I do see the light gleaming through. I long for the light but can’t seem to reach out now. In time, once I feel stronger I might open the locked door and see the clarity of the world beyond the screen.


I’m already enticed with this class already, and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for us.

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