IRB APPROVAL

I received IRB approval with no revisions - nearly impossible. I am so excited. Now, I can start to conduct my interviews and focus groups to collect my data. I am still shocked that I received approval at the first try. I had revisions from my Practicum, which is not as "big" as the dissertation. The Director of International Student Services sent out an email yesterday to the international students to introduce my study. Next week, she will be sending out the "request for participation" email.....this is going to be a fun three months.

Until next time!

This is Madison - my niece. I just love this picture of her - my favorite. I took this picture a couple years ago in my backyard. I am not being bias, but I think she is the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. She is just so much fun to play with as well.

Picture of my Cohort

I finally received a picture of my cohort. I thought it would be nice to have a picture of the nine other people I have practically lived with for the past 2.5 years. OK - starting from the bottom, is me, Lorie is behind me in the blue, MiChele, Tom, Kelley, Mucho with the shaved head, Mark with the yellow shirt, Matt with the hat, Romzy, and Budda at the top. We have all been together since the beginning - June, 2005. I really like being in a cohort-based program because I really get to know most of them on a personal basis, which makes this journey much more enjoyable. I really hope we all stay in touch forever.

What a feeling!!!

It's official - I submitted my first three chapters today - 77 pages - I feel good! I just hope that I don't need to make a lot of revisions. A few classmates have told me they had 6 to 7 revisions. YIKES! I hope I only have 2 or 3. Needless to say, it is Labor Day today and gorgeous outside. Here I am, 4:30 p.m. sitting in a conference room at work. I am exhausted and brain-dead. I have to read four chapters, write a paper, and create a presentation for my class on Thursday.

Tomorrow, I am turning in my "stuff" to the IRB - hoping to get approval to conduct my study ASAP. My dissertation chair told me that I need to take off a couple weeks and relax - I can't get away from my dissertation - I take a day off here and there, but every day that I do take off, it is one more day that I have to make up in loss time. I took off on Saturday to paint my kitchen - ahhhh.... that is relaxation for me.

OK - I am going to go now because I want to get outta here.

Until next time!