Senior year is proving to be a rather difficult year. Not to suggest that my Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years were gravy (because they definitely were not), but I’m being pulled in so many directions by my courses, work, volunteer work, and graduate school research that I feel like I’ve never worked so hard in my life. Applying to Grad school has become my primary worry because it is always on my mind. Whenever I feel that momentary rush of relief that comes immediately after completing a paper, I automatically think to myself, “Nice job, buddy! But not so fast! Don’t forget you have another grad school to apply to, a personal statement to write, and a writing sample to perfect.” Of course, being a little overwhelmed is a small price to pay if I end up getting accepted to the school of my dreams. I’m really passionate about my experience and knowledge as an English major, and it has become my goal to teach college-level Literature one day. I even have syllabus ideas in the back of my head, and sweater-vests and tweed coats hanging in my closet, all primed and ready for the fateful day when I carry the title of Professor; Professor Matthew S. Decker to be exact. Unfortunately, I have a lot more work to do before I can even think about my future glory as an English professor.
As for the immediate present, I have to write a paper for my Victorians class about Frankenstein. I chose to focus on the modern adaptations of the image of Frankenstein’s monster in artwork; specifically focusing on the comic book culture’s treatment of the creature. When I was doing some research for the project, I found a collectible statue of Frankenstein’s monster online that was so cool and grotesque. The creepiness of the sculpture actually encouraged me to look at other elaborate toy statues, which I regrettably decided to do in the library. A friend of mine found me drooling over these gross toys, and I’m almost certain that they now think I’m a closet-freak with a unusual fetish for bloody toy sculptures.
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