Week #5...

As I enter my 5th week of dissertating...I find myself branching out...attempting to use the time I have to work on multiple fronts...this morning I started the tedious task of analyzing the analysis that's taken me about 4 weeks to craft. I'm doing this because I want what I am noticing to have both depth and breath...the only way I'll reach that goal is by re-reading what I've done so far...not that I've done that everyday for the past 4 weeks...that re-reading has been for a different reason though...to make sure that which was created the day before makes sense...this is a different re-read...I'm confident that it makes sense. So...using the line numbering feature...I've numbered each line of the analysis and am now going back through it...quantifying...yes...you heard me...quantifying my qualitative analysis. Shortly...I'll move away from that to more analysis...a look at some different data I collected...then...later...I'll stop writing and read some research...research that I know connects up with the data I'm quantifying right now.

Shortly after finishing my first 90 minutes of the day...shortly after going up to the curb to get the recycling bin (my version of a break)...I came back in and started to read a bit of Kerouac's poetry. Most of you that follow this blog or know me...know I'm a big fan of his work...it helps me in many ways and...as you also know...I often like to use his work as a mentor text for my own attempts at one specific kind of poetry...haiku. So...with some Tibetan monks chanting in the background...I wrote this...

Monday--
     brushed metal laptop
Black keys

I could have done anything I wanted during my 30 minute break...I chose to write this blogpost. Time to get back to it!

Dissertating...

Last week...I started what may end up being a trend over the course of this summer...a weekly sort of update as to what's going on with my dissertating. 

This week...a haiku (Kerouac-ian...of course)...

My dissertation

     a collection of thoughts,

opened and closed with my fingers 

Two weeks into the data...

It's been 9 days since school ended and I could turn my gaze onto the wealth of data I collected for my dissertation this past Spring. I've worked 7 of the 9 days...clocking in anywhere from 4-5 hours per day. I work for 90 minutes then take a 30 minute break...repeating this process three times. My breaks include but are not limited to yoga, reading literature and of course...eating! Most of the work I'm doing...I'm doing at home though I have "gone on the road" a few times...once to visit with some colleagues and once...just to get out of the house! I knew I was going to really enjoy this part of the process. I say this because the data collection phase of my dissertation was such a rich, rewarding moment in the ongoing evolution of "Tony the researcher." I've been posting updates of my progress this summer to Twitter which in turn gets pushed to Facebook. My school friends tease me...telling me to calm down and enjoy the summer. They are very supportive and impressed with my efforts but don't truly understand what it all entails. That's ok...I don't expect them to fully understand. The fact that they are supportive means the world to me! My friends outside of school...several who have already attained their Phd's and/or are currently working on them...cheer me on which is equally appreciated by me!

As I mentioned above, I've worked 7 out of a possible 9 days (not including weekends). I bring this up only because it's relevant to the workflow. I've given myself permission to take one week day off...to re-charge, and relax. I'm finding it crucial to my efforts. On any given workday...I notice that I'm the "strongest" in the earlier sessions. As the day progresses my mind gets muddy, blurred by all that I am trying to do. The mini-breaks in between sessions help but to be able to disconnect (for a full day) from the computer screen and pages of data that I've a-massed...I think it's really important. Even though I struggle to give myself this time to re-charge and relax...I find that I'm dealing with issues of guilt, that I'm not working and as a result missing an opportunity to move things forward. But then I think...this path has never been...nor will it ever be...linear. It's been full of twists and turns...stops and re-starts...both on a macro and micro level.

I am so happy that summer has finally arrived! To have uninterrupted blocks of time to do what I'm doing...words cannot describe the feeling! I'm equally happy to have the opportunity to give myself time to re-charge and relax. This is all about balance and balance only comes with reflection!

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I'm grateful for...

Just finished reading an interesting article in Fast Company magazine from Amber Rae about keeping a gratitude journal. Here are some things I'm grateful for...

My wife...her support for me is as unconditional as her love for me!!

My mentor...a woman of strength, intelligence, wisdom and...because she's working with me on my dissertation...the patience of a saint!

My Dissertation committee...other than my mentor...there are 3 other colleagues that make up my committee and I greatly appreciate their interest in my work!!

Running...yes running. My wife and I started 6 months ago...integrating it into our exercise routine and we've not looked back!!

Amber Rae notes that keeping a gratitude journal is supposed to help people reach their potential daily. Let's see where this goes!

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Leaving the Plastic City...a winner!!!

I've been in Vegas since this past Wednesday...attending a teaching conference. The only other time I was in Vegas was to change flights on my way home to Charlotte...while attending another teacher conference. I'm not a high roller nor do I have any interest in gambling so I was a little reluctant to leave my students for 3 straight days to come out here. But...as the past few days have transpired...I think about what I've been able to accomplish...

1. I had 4 + hours of writing and thinking about my proposal on the flight out.

2. I had about 4 more hours of writing and thinking about my proposal on Thursday.

3. I spent a wonderful morning, Thursday...at the spa at MGM Grand...time just focused on me!!

4. I presented to a great group of educators about my classroom practice Thursday afternoon.

5. I spent a little more time at the spa Thursday evening...after that presentation.

6. I had a great dinner 2 nights in a row with 2 very good friends!

7. I witnessed some of the "color" that Vegas has to offer on the Strip Friday night...and...

8. I will have about 4 + hours I can dedicate to my proposal on the flight home.

So...I guess what I'm saying is, Tony 1, Vegas 0

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What I learned...

Yesterday Steph and I participated in our first 5K race. I learned a few things from the experience...1) We are in really good shape, 2) All that matters on race day is that you finish, and 3) Running in the company of other runners is pretty darn cool!!

Labor Day...

We added 5 minutes to our morning run today...up to 35 minutes running...45 minutes of total movement (5 minute warm-up/brisk walk and 5 minute cool down). I know we are definitely in the 5k range...our devices have us "clocking in" at 2.83 miles - 3.53 miles. I'm wondering which one is more accurate. Regardless...we are enjoying ourselves and getting fit...that's all that should matter. I won't lie though when I say that I find my self slipping backwards into a Capitalistic mode that is consumed with PR's for pace and distance...I don't think that this is a bad thing when it comes to getting "better" at this thing called running.