Day 27 of #NaNoWriMo and #AcWriMo (National Novel Writing Month and Academic Writing Month). I love data and graphs, so I’m writing my master’s thesis as a fake novel on the NaNoWriMo website so I can watch my word-counts go up and earn badges. AcWriMo isn’t nearly as well developed or fun. I’ve been 99% focused on writing this thing this month, and I’m on-track to have the first draft done in three more days. And I. Can’t. Wait.
Fast into Fall
I don’t have formal classes for my master’s program this session, because I am starting to work full-time on my thesis. I also have one more talk to prep for the Textile Society of America’s conference. Life is feeling hectic and harried. Time to simplify and down-shift.
Graduate Awards
I received my second small award from Concordia University! The recognition and monetary assistance are both very much appreciated! [Read more…]
Grad School Underway
SO MUCH READING. I’m a pretty fast reader, but reading history text books is slower going and the VOLUME of reading is staggering. But it’s started! Great group of people in the department, interesting discussions in class, and I like the urban downtown campus. I also seem to have volunteered to be the Treasurer of the Graduate History Students Association. Should be easy enough with my background in small business bookkeeping. Yay school! 🙂
Challenge Accepted
I have accepted the offer from Montreal’s Concordia University to enroll in their Master of Arts program in History! I’ll be back in a classroom starting in September, getting serious again about my research, and maybe even doing some work as a teaching assistant. Exciting! In the meantime, I’m reading a book on Old English grammar, plying my needle, and working to improve my French. Always learning something new, and I do love a good challenge! About Concordia
Academic Award!
I received the 2015 National Fellowship Chapter Honorary Mention Award with financial reward for academic excellence! I applied through my undergrad university, Arizona State University, for the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society’s annual national fellowship for new graduate students. While I didn’t score the big money, I’m very pleased to accept the financial support and to know that my association is rooting for me!
Exponential Education
The more I learn, the more I add to my list of interesting things to learn about. Some days it seems like specializing and narrowing the focus of my interests would be a good idea. Although, I recently received advice that staying general (as a history scholar) is more valuable these days, since so many people are drawn into specializing. I think this is on my mind a lot right now, because I am also considering how to simplify my hobbies and daily life to create more time for big projects. Add this to the pile of “things to think about.” sigh. 😉
Changes, improvements, upgrades
My paper at the Medieval and Renaissance Forum was very well received! What a relief! I got great feedback and lots of encouragement to keep going with my research as well as pursuing higher academic degrees. Grad school here I come! [Read more…]