FINALLY-an update

Hello my fellow dissertation bloggers!

As I type, I am in Rogers library getting ready to do some reading. I have fallen off the wagon on the blogging, but I am working to get the blog on my regular schedule, at least once a week. Hmmm...let's see....where do I start?

Well, I am STILL in the beginning stages of my dissertation when I had all last semester to work on my dissertation. What happened? Life......Classes.......We all let life get us off track sometimes, but we HAVE to stay focused. I also believe I just did not know what to do, so I put it off. Lack of motivation REALLY caused me to be behind...sooo....what will be different this year in 2010?

Well, I decided that I HAVE to be productive in this season in everything that I do. My relationship with God has grown, and I have determined that without God this PhD will not be accomplished. What will be different. Prayer on guidance, prayer for opportunity to grow professionally, etc etc. Prayer, prayer prayer....AND ACTION!

Well, God answered! I started data collection this semester, and I am really excited about it. The professor I am working with on the analysis is teaching at Miles College. I LOVE the environment; although their equipment is not quite the standard of UA, there is such an environment of connection and learning. I am being trained to work on solid phase extraction, and LPHC , and I will eventually be doing it on my own. My advisor showed his FIRST level of excitement with me, since he took me as his advisee. That's VERY encouraging!

As far as writing, I am restructuring my lit review, but peeps I AM BEHIND!!! I got to get the wherewithal to do this! I will be going to B'ham Mon Wed and Fri, so Tuesday, Thursday and the weekend will be the designated time to work on my lit review. Any suggestions on those four days? WHEW!!! I need to get a specific TIME on those days to work on it. THANK GOD I have no classes this semester (although I tried to take a class-it was cancelled).

I have a job this semester too, so it complicates things a little, but I need a job at this moment. My job is on Mon, Tues, and Thurs. Lawd!!! But even in the midst of this, I have been more encouraged than I have been since being at UA. It's MY TIME and MY SEASON! I have decided to put God first and let Him direct my path! Prayer changes things!