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.

11/9/09

Possibility of an advisor!? Nothing set in stone, yet. However, I might have just found an advisor! How did this come about? Well, I took a quantitative research method class from him this past spring. He is an awesome teacher that helped me to understand quantitative research methods even though I probably won't be using quantitative research methods. I ran the idea by him that I might have the opportunity to teach a summer school class at a local elementary school, and I took up the offer after taking his advice. Furthermore, I asked him to write a recommendation letter for the scholarship that I'm applying for and he gladly agreed!

Although he is not a Curriculum and Instruction professor, as long as I clear it with the chair of my department, it's a good to go! I'm very excited as this is the next big step in the whole doctoral process. *crosses fingers*