Dr. Paula R. Curtis

The Big Concern to Aw Yiss Spectrum, encapsulated.

Back pain finally got bad enough that I went to the doctor (Day 6 was my limit.. 😅). Confirmed I probably strained something muscular and that I did all the right things up to now (yay). Some prescriptions now in the pipeline along with authorizations for x-rays and PT just to cover bases. ✌️

Tomi always said to me: “It seems really stressful now, but you will never have another chance in your career to just read and absorb everything, so do it.”

Profile of Vincent Chan, a secondary school educator in Burnaby School District, featured in the Association for Asian Studies Member Spotlight.

Ahead of #AAS2026, we have a Vancouver local in the AAS Member Spotlight! Vincent Chan teaches secondary school in British Columbia and looks forward to meeting other members at the Annual Conference next week.

https://bit.ly/AAS-Chan

It also put me in charge of my research at the very beginning of the process. Gaining that independence and skill set is vital for being able to complete the dissertation. I know a few people who didn't finish because they had trouble with that part.

This reminds me of when I was a PhD candidate during comps (prelims). I was surprised that *I* had to put together all 3 of my reading lists instead of my committee. But then I realized that the act of compiling was an important learning experience.

My comps (prelims) were in:

Premodern Japanese history
Premodern Chinese history
Medieval European history

Written and oral exams, advisor who felt my list of nearly 700 books and articles was very reasonable. 😬😅

HOT BELL HISTORY

A cream colored tabby named Fox sitting on a burgundy couch covered in his fur. He is mid yawn.

A cream colored tabby named Fox sitting on a burgundy couch covered in his fur. He is mid yawn with his mouth open wide and his eyes scrunched up.

A cream colored tabby named Fox sitting on a burgundy couch covered in his fur. He just finished a big yawn and looks like a happy octogenarian smiling

good morning ☀️

Fun Japan fact:

Temples and villages did this for centuries to save their giant bronze bells from being stolen by invading forces. One way we rediscover premodern bells is through construction on temples or pond restoration that uncovers hidden bells. 🔔📿

Am I teaching one of these Rapid Response lectures on the manipulation of Ancient History in America today? Yes, I am. Am I proud of our history department? Absolutely. history.uiowa.edu/research/pub...

Made a pop up of Japanese children’s books in the Asian Library! Video should be out soon 😊✌️

Dream Lab is a kind of Digital Humanities Summer Camp designed with grad students and early career humanities professionals in mind. In summer 2026, we are excited to offer six classes. Learn more about the classes below and click the links for registration information and instructor bios. Check out the FAQ for information about registration fees and daily schedules.

🚨 DREAM LAB AT PENN, MAY 26-29 MOTHERFUCKERS 🚨

⬇️💛🙌

(for like, non-serial killer reasons)

I used to kill rats on bricks.

I made bad pancakes a couple weeks ago but I still ate them cmon folks

!!!! John Stewart! Disgruntled Hal! Ahhh!

Given the recent funding restrictions to Western civ, I’m relieved to see this fellowship back! Happy to answer questions on it, though rumor suggests that JUSFC-NEH is no longer awarding three scholars per year 😭

we get it, Fox, you can bend your back while on the floor and I can’t 🙃

Pulled something in my back. 🫠 it’s been like four days and still not really better. 😩

As someone who deliberately befriends my neighbors and shouts at them through the windows now I’m lying on the floor hoping no one looks inside and fears I’ve fallen and can’t get up. Which might be a little true.

Mom: stop being mean to mango he’s not stupid

Mango :

I definitely read that as “word” and was like “damn how bad could they be?”

Ohhh good to know. Back pain is not a frequent thing for me at this level of severity (fingers crossed!!) so I haven’t regularly done anything for it.

What are back muscles and why do they persist in tormenting me for more than 4 days? 😩 Don’t they know I need to concentrate to do work, not yell profanities that scare the cats?

who could ever doubt the CCC man bsky.app/profile/paul...

🍊

two short pipes against an electricity pole that soooomeone put some googly eyes on to make it look suspicious.

if you are desperately in need of some whimsy right now, me too. sooooomeone is doing their part in a centralized account... 👀👀👀 www.instagram.com/whocouldhave...