Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Randy Pausch

I spent the best part of yesterday filling in forms, photocopying my press book, and struggling to write a motivational letter in French.
Why? Yes I asked myself that question quite a few times.

I want to study. I want to get a formal qualification as a music teacher.
In France the system is competitive. There is not an absolute standard.
There are only a small number of places and you have to fight for them.

So what chance do I have? At my age and in a language not my own. How will I pay for it?
With a musical background which is unorthodox and very patchy- I know a great deal about some things and nothing about others. And I dont know what it is that I dont know. This could be embarassing...

Then I came by accident upon the last lecture, called "achieving your childhood dreams", of a computer scientist who died a few days ago aged 48, and he gave me some advice.
"The brick walls are there for a reason...they allow us to prove how badly we want something."



He is my secret boyfriend.

10 comments:

Frankofile said...

Well worth the time it takes to watch this lecture. Fabulous.

hexe said...

Fight for the position if it is what you want. I am right there with you. I am taking two classes this fall in math and science. I figure while I am being a stay at home mom I might as well take a couple classes to make me more marketable for when it's time to return to work. I bet you'd work even harder than most of the other "younger" students.

Suzy said...

I've heard him say that about the brick walls and believed him until I heard a metaphysics teacher say that "if there are too many obstacles, you're going the wrong way."

Now what?

Zhoen said...

Brick walls are artificial barriers.

Oceans and lava fields are to be gone around, I should think.

Mike said...

I keep trying to set aside some time to listen to this.

Rosie said...

Mr O'File...yes he is wonderful. And just as I have found him he is snatched away from me. I did grieve a little for him yesterday.
Hexe- I am going to give it a go and try and keep realistic about my expectations. I want to study for the pleasure of it!
Suzy, you had a metaphysics teacher? Were you a nun?
Zhoen-I suppose that you could consider my age to be a natural barrier but the French admin is definitely artificial and to be fought tooth and nail.
It's worth it Mike it was like having a stiff drink

Leslie: said...

I am sorry to hear he passed away, but I did hear him speak before - he was on TV here.
Build some sort of staircase to climb that brick wall or find an opening along it. Do whatever it takes to attain your dream. Best of luck!

Lucy said...

I listened to the first 5 minutes, and I will listen to it all, he seems great, and didn't he look it!

You can do it, and if you don't it'll be because you've found something better along the way!

Anonymous said...

Good luck, good luck. And what Lucy said.

Anonymous said...

Am hoping to become a qualified English teacher in French schools, so will be interested to see how you get on. I have an exam to sit in September(half in English, half in French), then 1 years training, should I pass. It is a bit of a long shot but I am going to try for it anyway. Good Luck to you too.