MASH Professional Development

Since starting my MA at the University of Birmingham, I've been colleagues and great friends with a group of very talented and research driven guys (sadly, it is a male dominated industry). During our coursework, they decided to start MASH-Meet Ask Share and Help, a collaborative group for University of Birmingham graduates. In addition to the conferences they have organized in Japan, they have recently started a Professional Development column on ELTnews.com. Guess who is featured this week?

This has been a great tool for professional development and collaborative research projects including publishing. More on that as it develops...

Another 4,000 written, only 12,000 words to go!

That's it folks! I've finished my 6th module or assessment essay for my MA course. Feels good to have that out of the way. Just have to run to the library and print it and submit it and I'm done!

This one was about the global spread of English, otherwise known as 'englishization' which I might add is not in any dictionary or referenced by hardly anyone other than academics (and mostly linguists at that)! So, in my mind it doesn't even really exist as a word, at least not in mainstream media yet. So, if you haven't heard of it...don't worry, neither has anyone else!

Time to pack up, say good-bye, fly home and start the dissertation! Eeps!

Another 4,000 written, only 16,000 to go

Finished one more assessment for the MA. This one was the most boring of them all. It was a critical analysis of two articles from the Journal of Intercultural Communication. Blah!

Only one more essay and then I can start the dissertation. And if I write the next paper the way I want to, it will be the lit review and background for the dissertation! Ah hah!!

Another 4,000 written, 20,000 to go

Well, I've made it through another 4,000 word essay. They do seem to be getting much much easier. Or maybe I'm getting lazier. Since I'm on-campus I was forced into giving a power point about my topic several weeks ago. So it was much easier to write up after having organized all the information for a presentation! I have six weeks to complete 8,000 more words and then it's on to the last 12,000--the mighty dissertation!

For all you interested EFL/ESL nerds out there...for this essay I designed a teacher education course for volunteers in India. Maybe someday I'll actually get to use it!

Another 4,000 written, 24,000 to go!

Well, it's official. Paper #3 has been submitted; mistakes, typos, and all! Well, hopefully there aren't too many of those, but I'm sure I missed something. But I think it's my best paper yet! Let's see what 'the grader' thinks!

The good news: I'm officially on academic hiatus until January! I'll continue the MA course on campus. Being a distance student has been interesting and challenging, the best part--the people I've met! Thanks guys! I couldn't have made it this far without you!!

Now...time to clean the apartment and start packing!

Another 4,000 written, 28,000 to go

Life in the academic lane--a view from my computer! Wow, isn't life exciting in rural Japan!

Well, I wrote and printed (3x) another 4, 317 words (36 pages)! Whew! Glad that's done! Now I only have about 28,000 words to come up with before I check off MA from my life "to do" list!

It's gonna be a long few years!

It's Time to Vote!!

A year ago this week, I accidently deleted my blog! To celebrate one year of blogging (on the current blog), over 10,300 hits, and over 112 posts, I'm posting a POLL!! The future of my blog depends a lot on my future. I won't necessarily base my decision on the results, but I'll take it into consideration!

And for all of you out there who read my blog on a regular basis....and I know you're there because I have a stat counter, please vote, and please feel free to leave comments!

Before you vote below consider these points:

1. I've just started an MA program, if I stay I can continue paying for my course and finish the coursework in Japan (while still saving money & living well).
2. I really want to see more of the world.
3. I really want to work in the Middle East.
4. I'm very comfortable here! I love my apartment, and I enjoy my job (usually).
5. If I stay, I can snowboard for another year.
6. If I stay, that will be more money in my savings account to do more later.
7. If I leave, my finances will be tight, and I'll have to take a leave of absense from my MA program.
8. If I stop my MA, I may not start it up again!
9. If I stay, I can theoretically learn more Japanese.
10. If I leave, I can start learning Arabic or another language.
11. The dating pool here has been drained!
12. Who needs a date, I love living alone!
13. I have a really good online study support group.
14. I love eating school lunch (usually).
15. I hate packing. I mean I HATE packing!

Should Kirsten stay in Japan for a 4th year?

Yes, of course!! No way, get out while you can. Flip a coin, there isn't a bad decision Travel the world for a year, I'll send monetary donations to support you!

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