don't worry 'bout what you don't know, life's a dance you learn as you go

Funny, 4 hours ago I thought that that Johnny Cash line fit my last post perfectly. I really don't see it now, when I am 4 hours wiser. That's what too much studying gets you. 

(This is my bed at the present moment. I am a woman of many books, and even more homework.) 

Guess what? WE ARE READING HOMER! So, I am officially feeling totally at home. Not the Iliad sadly, but the Odyssey is good enough. And, since I'm going to Trivium class tomorrow and had better practice my grammatica verbae, I will categorize my current academic pursuits for you (did I mention that I have taken Latin? the battle wages on... the office manager won't answer my emails): 

I. Greek 
a. The alphabet (Prof. Bloedow pronounces iota as "eye" and writes his letters in a funny uphill hand)
b. Accents: grave, acute, circumflex
c. Positions: ultima, penult, antepenult 
d. Breathings: rough, smooth (not, as I grew up saying, "hard" and "soft") 
II. Philosophy 
a. Reading in order that we might discuss, not the other way around
b. The proper pursuit knowledge (what is knowledge? students must learn to ask questions)
c. Making the effort to think about what you are learning
d. The study of truth
III. Art in Western Culture
a. We have lost the ability to utilize art for its purpose
b. What is an image?
c. A proper look at art: Billy Collins' poem Introduction to Poetry (students were too abstract; were crushed by harsh words until we recognized our arrogance and have henceforth determined to speak simply) 
d. Learn to respond without initial judgment
IV. Science, Medicine & Faith 
a. The importance of writing (one student was much inspired to go home and journal)
b. In the ancient world, they didn't care about how all the pieces fit together, but what the story was for, to what purpose it served
c. Introduction to Lindberg: Plato's study of natural philosophy
V. Literature in Western Culture 
a. Homer's The Odyssey
b. What does it mean to read well? 
c. brief re-cap of Trojan war: the quarrel of the gods, golden apple given to Arphrodite by Paris, the capture of Helen, Greeks sail on Troy 
Note: One student ridiculously suggested that most women readers must favor Paris because he is the more sensitive, romantic type, to which another student shot back, "Are you kidding? Have you seen Hektor?" The whole room convulsed into laughter. (There are quite a few nerds at AC, who -- thank heaven -- prefer Hektor over Paris.) 
Secondary Note: Students have unanimously decided to watch O Brother, Where Art Thou? upon the completion of the Odyssey. And apparently two of our most esteemed professors do have, be they ne'er so Canadian, a preference for bluegrass music. 

(The title of the post is from "Life's A Dance" by John Montgomery, I think. It's one of my theme songs. Just in case you thought I was being random again.)