a Return from Exile

It has been sometime since I have posted to my blog. I have received several e-mails and e-texts asking about my silence. Well, I break it here.

Much has transpired in the interval. I am currently finishing up my doctoral studies at Purdue University in the field of Medieval Studies Literature. I am in St. Petersburg, Florida working on my second book, and of course enjoying the "Sunshine State" immensely. The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida has been more than accommodating.

The process for doctoral completion within the discipline of Medieval Studies is a daunting one. First, I am preparing a reading list comprised of primary and secondary sources.

Second, I need to submit a Plan of Study (POS) by 15 October 2008. This Fall 2008 I am teaching English 420: Business Writing and taking classes. In Spring 2009 I will need to take a final class, then study for my preliminary examinations (pre-lims).

These pre-lims will be taken in Fall 2009 alongside my perspectus. If all goes well, by Spring 2010 I will be ABD, or "All-But-Dissertation." I feel like my dissertation is already written in my head, and have begun to work on some preliminary chapters. My goal is to have my Ph.D. no later than Fall 2010.

The life of an academic, and a doctoral student at that, is a bit demanding, but worth the "silence," the long hours of reading and translating ancient languages. The Ph.D. wielder represents the less than 1% population in the country. Anyone interested in such intellectual and rigorous, mental trauma--just enter a doctoral program, but be warned: it will take your life.