Back in January, when the exams were looming large and the pressure was really starting to come to bear, Stephen and I decided to take a trip during Spring Break. I'm usually not much of a fan of traveling at this time of year, in fact. The spring semester, unlike the fall, is not punctuated …
I call this photo "the struggle is real." I think the reality set in after Stephen and I came back to Miami after we visited our families for Christmas. I still had several books to go through, I had to send a final revision of the Prospectus for my dissertation to my advisor, and …
Traveling to northern England is truly a highlight every summer. This time, we really made an effot to travel to new places in the region, and the results were both very successful and very promising. One of the best things about England is the public transportation system. I know that there is lots to …
A vacation in York is never complete without visits to the many fascinating local sites. On the site of the remains of St. Mary's Abbey are some fantastic gardens and an excellent museum focusing on the city's history. This time, a local bird sanctuary set up to do demonstrations and to seek donations on …
And so it begins. Last week, it finally had to happen. I spent hours looking up call numbers on the university library website. I dragged out the rollerboard luggage (and my partner, Stephen). And, together, we went to pick up the first batch of comprehensive exam books. I think I underestimated the amount of time …
Continue reading Here It Starts: books, exams, and, of course, cats
So, what's been going on this week? Here's Emily, providing me with what is, to her, much-needed notetaking help. This is Oscar. This is NOT our house. Oscar decided to go and visit the neighbors yesterday afternoon (observe door cracked open in the background). He is now under "house arrest." Introducing: the inside of my (tiny) office and …
Inevitably, working as a PhD student places one in close professional proximity to many important, influential individuals--professors, other scholars, university administration, graduate students, library and archive staff; the list goes on. Arguably, one of the most important professional relationships--if not THE most important professional relationship--is a PhD student's relationship with his or her faculty advisors.I …
So, spring break begins, and we are officially halfway through my last term of required classes.Of course, I'd love to be doing this:But, in reality, I will probably be doing this:
It goes without saying that reading, and reading ALL THE TIME, goes hand in hand with the pursuit of a PhD. I think I realized this within the first few weeks of my first semester. I fondly remember uploading this picture on Facebook after realizing that, in the world of the PhD student, a "weekend" …
Palaeography: long-lost, but much needed, skill
Medievalist in the Making 