The end of the term. . . finally. The spring term is a notoriously breathless run from January through to April every year. The semester starts a bit early down here, and it is relatively unbroken by vacation days. The exception to this rule is, of course, spring break, but, this term, it did not …
Category: PhD
In search of the perfect crust. . .
A few years ago, Stephen and I visited Spain. It was quite an experience. I had enough of a working knowledge of Spanish, gained through many increasingly distant years studying the language, and Stephen, a merchant marine, had all kinds of expereince getting by in foreign environments without language proficiency. Of course, one of the …
My Week
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 …
Somehow. . .
. . . I will move these books from my office to my house.
A Grad Student’s Plea for Standard-Sized Books
As a PhD student, reading is a daily activity. And not just reading, but reading as much as you can as quickly as you can. Training to speed-read is like training for a marathon--each book is a new opportunity to improve upon the overall time it takes you to understand: the author's argument, the sources …
Continue reading A Grad Student’s Plea for Standard-Sized Books
Stop thinking about it. . .
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 …
Back to the Classroom once again. . .
Spring break comes to a close, and, of course, I didn't get half as much done as I wanted to. I suppose that makes this vacation week about on-part with every other since I started this program. Comforting? Maybe a little. Disappointing? Absolutely.One of the things that inevitably has to happen at the end of …
Laundry
Today was laundry day. I guess the resulting warm is irresistible.
Spring Break!
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:
Grad Student Cuisine
Bread and cheese. Simple. Ready to prepare. Reminiscent of a time sans processed food. And, my meal this evening after working straight through to 11p.m. Ah, grad school life. I'm sure I'll look back on this later and laugh (cry??).
Medievalist in the Making 