Hello November

Well, November is here folks.  This leaves me about 9 months until my tentative proposal deadline. I absolutely want to make this deadline, but 9 months doesn't seem long enough to put together 100 pages of writing, does it?  I can't exactly put it off until the week before.
Well, at least I've started my lit search.  This process wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  In addition, I found several lovely articles, including one on the effect of gender difference on learning to play jazz improvisation.  This is not related to my topic at all, but I found it very interesting and may use it in a class project.  So, you see, it wasn't a total waste.  Plus, I saved about 15 articles.  At some point, I will have to read those articles and glean loads of information out of them, but lets talk about that another day.
Another random fact, I got a B on my stats midterm.  I was so happy, I didn't even look through it.  I'll save that task until the night before the final.
So long folks.

What I did today. In other words, registration and research

I wrote a whole 2 page Word document about grounded theory.  I just summarized important information on a research methodology from a book.  I did this while on the airplane to Houston.

I also stayed up until 1am, central time, in order to register for classes.  I did this on 5 hours of sleep.  Of the 5 classes I need to register for, I only got into 1.  Fortunately, it was the one that I was staying up late for.

I got to the 6th level of Angry Birds.  I also did this on the airplane, while munching on peanuts, crackers and gingerale.  Thank you to the guy in the middle seat of row 2.  He gave me some good pointers on my angry bird skills.

Lit Review

I do not like lit reviews.  When I read articles, I skim the lit review.  I don't like searching for literature.  I don't like writing lit reviews.  I always find that the original author, most likely, said what they needed to say in the best way.  How can I compete with that?
So, naturally, this is the first thing that I get to work on for my dissertation.  Pardon me while I grouse about it.
It's gonna be a long few months.

Purpose

So, I'm supposed to start by writing my purpose, as in "What the heck am I doing and why?"  Sound like fun?  I didn't think it was a big deal at first, but now I'm really hesitant to get started.  This is for real ya'll!  I did open up a Word document and save it as "purpose."  I didn't write anything, just saved the document.
Don't judge me.

A Folder

So, I created a folder on my computer entitled "Dissertation."  Now this is for real.
I was actually supposed to be working on the dissertation itself, but I needed a place to keep it safe.  A safe haven, if you will.
Then I realized that my whole file system on the computer was seriously messed up.  It had to be fixed.  That has been my current project...cleaning up my files.  It only took about 30 minutes, but it's done.  Now my dissertation folder has a clean little home to live in.
So, now I'm set.  I can start my dissertation anytime.

Update

Well, well, well, here we are again.  It's been a busy semester.  Every semester, I think the next semester has to be calmer than the current one.  I keep being surprised.
So, an update.
I have chosen an advisor.  Hip, hip, hooray.
Now the real work begins.

Vacation

I've been on vacation since July 29. It has been perfectly lovely.  I spent some time in New York City, speaking at a conference and visiting with my friend Abby.  It was absolutely delightful.  We at lots of food, spent time with friends, and saw some great parts of the city.
Now, I'm in California, hanging out with Isaac and family.  We've also eaten a lot of food, gotten some great workouts in, and spent time sleeping in.
What a breath of fresh air. I haven't thought about school, except when people ask how it's going. I'm heading back in a few days and still haven't worked up my motivation to return for the fall.  I'll work on that next week.