Tuesday, July 27, 2010

7/26/10

Today was my dissertation proposal defense. In order to prepare for this day, of course I practiced my 20 presentation, but I also cut a few veggies, made dip, and had water ready for the professors...you know, to relieve any anxiety.

Well, the proposal defense consisted of a 20 minute presentation and 1 hour of question and answers. After that, I was kicked out of the room so they could talk amongst themselves my destiny. I returned to the room to find out that I need to revamp my research questions, and do more reading, and more researching on the "elite" dual language education field.

So...yes, it is a relief to have this step done. However, at the same time, A LOT more works needs to be done. I just checked my email and my advisor just sent me a 4 pages-single-spaced notes on today's event. Not to mention my exploratory case study has now changed into an ethnographic study.

On that note, I must say, I love my advisor. I really, really, really do. Without his help and guidance, I would not have been able to get to where I am now. It is because of him, and his hard work, and his faith in me, that I am where I am.

I am very happy that my committee is strict, but at the same time very supportive of my research and ideas. They are a great bunch of people and I am happy to be working with them.

It's going to be a tough road ahead, but well worth it in the end...I know.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

7/17/10

Date, Time and Place has been set for the dissertation proposal defense! Now, I'm scrambling to create a 20 minute Powerpoint presentation. Hopefully I can get it done by Wednesday, so that there's more than enough time for my advisor to look it over before my presentation on July 26! So close! So excited! So nervous.

Visa...well, nothing yet.

Housing? Well...nothing yet either.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

7/10/10

So I've sent my dissertation research proposal to my committee. There's 2 things that I need to hope for at the moment. 1) That all 5 committee members agree on a date and time to meet 2) That they approve my study.

Of course I still have visa to tackle.

Now that the paper is in their hands, I need to start working on my Powerpoint presentation. It needs to be about 20 minutes or so. After that, I'm questioned for about an hour. That's the proposal defense. Yikes, right?

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

7/6/10

So close yet it still feels so far! I just got word this morning that my committee has been approved by the graduate division at UH! Now only 2 more steps!

1) Committee approves of study
2) Visa

...and then it's off to go to Japan! I can taste Japan.

Looking to submit my research proposal to the committee by the 10th. They need 2 weeks to read/review my research and then I must meet with them to defend my proposal. That's nerve wreaking. Really....they're gonna ask everything and anything about why my research SHOULD be conducted and what GOOD will it do. *rawr* I better start preparing.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

7/1/10

Another great news! My study was approved by Human Studies! IRB approval!

It took 3 times, but I did it. I just kept revising and resubmitting until I got it just right. I was getting a bit worried because I haven't heard from them, but I guess that was good news!

Just a few more things on my list to do, before I leave for Japan.

-Committee approved
-Committee approves dissertation research proposal
-Visa

Hopefully everything falls into place soon! I'm getting excited!