From Then To Now
August 2009
I had just gotten back from working at my Muggle job at the town's summer camp for the day, so I plopped down at my computer and wandered over to the Sett. Everything seemed normal enough: there were lots of newbies posting trying to find their way around the tunnels, the prefects were helping guide them around our Orientation lesson, and Professor Anya was trying to plan out a calendar of events for the upcoming year. Once I did a little wandering myself, I then headed over to my messages.
Everything looked normal there, too. I had a message from my fellow House Spirit partner, Tarma Black. Her message was addressed as "Classes," so I presumed she was asking for advice on our upcoming classes. This is the time that everyone is anxious about finally seeing the list of available classes for the new year.
I clicked on the message and began to read. It took me a couple of minutes and reading it three more times before I actually understood it. Tarma was asking if I would think about taking over Professor Wastl Haefstaengl's Ancient Runes class.
I was dumbfounded.
Me? Teaching Ancient Runes? It just wasn't sinking in.
Me! Teaching! *gulp*
I think I sent a message back to Tarma telling her I was honored and that I would think about it.
And, think about it I did. One day my decision was "No," the next, "Maybe," but eventually I thought, "Well, why not?" I was vaguely familiar with the subject; I had been Prof. Wastl's class assistant, so I sort of knew the course work. The Sundays I spent in IRC in his "office" waiting for other students and chatting with the Professor and Tarma were very insightful. So, after some long thought, I pm'ed Tarma back and told her I accepted her offer.
Once I did that, the organizational wheels began to turn. I sent in my Professor's Application after speaking to Cosmo Brown about some of the technical questions on the application. She had offered to host the site as she had for Prof. Hanfstaengl — for which I am forever grateful because, as anyone who knows me knows, computers and I do not get along.
And then, the waiting began. At first I wasn't too worried, but then August came and still no word. Then it began to get closer to the release of classes and still no word. If one could have paced on the keyboard, I would have. But lo and behold... one morning I signed into HOL and ta da! Ancient Runes was being offered... and right next to the class name... was my own name. I have to admit it did feel somewhat exciting.
Now, let me just explain a little as to why I was considering not taking the class. You see, I teach in real life and after dealing with all the planning and prepping I have to do for that, I really just like to come to HOL and wander and do my own thing. But then I thought, for the short time we had Professor Wastl in our lives here in HOL, I came to admire and respect the man for all he did for his class and students. So, how could I let his class fall to the wayside? I just couldn't. Hence, Professor Hartwick was born.
0I only hope I can do the man and the class justice.
Fels...
Oh, wait.... Do I need to be formal?
Professor Felicia Hartwick