Category Archives: work

Now what?

Posted on May 22, 2013 by rglw

When you have been actively engaged in accomplishing one specific task for an extended period of time and you actually achieve your goal or finish that project, the next day feels both exhilarating and confusing. On Monday, I filed all … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, blogging, coffee, family, grad school, higher education, lessons learned, work, writing | 2 Comments

The defense in the rear-view mirror

Posted on May 9, 2013 by rglw

On Tuesday, I defended my dissertation project.  In the course of writing and editing and re-editing my project, I have heard many platitudes about the dissertation experience, and I have to admit that I was pretty tired of the rhetoric. … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, dissertation, grad school, lessons learned, personal, work, writing | 3 Comments

When you report to yourself….

Posted on April 12, 2013 by rglw

Some days, you tick off a list of to do items and you sit back at the end of the day and marvel at your productivity. For me, that was this past Monday and Tuesday.  It seems Friday has a … Continue reading →

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When what you were writing becomes what you wrote

Posted on April 2, 2013 by rglw

March was a blur.  February was a blur, too. I was teaching, polishing off the “final” draft of my dissertation, making presentations at a regional conference, and keeping myself afloat (and my personal life from coming apart at the seams). … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, blogging, dissertation, grad school, higher education, lessons learned, teaching, work, writing | 2 Comments

A week in the life….

Posted on January 11, 2013 by rglw

I have focused all sociological thinking on dissertation writing. Here’s what it looked like (including a shameless selfie shot):

Posted in academia, coffee, dissertation, grad school, personal, work, writing | 2 Comments

No typical work day

Posted on January 9, 2013 by rglw

Today was not your typical work day.  Then again, I rarely have a typical work day. 7 a.m. The usual morning lineup. Breakfast with preschooler while little munchkin slept. Note to self: must start feigning extra hour of sleep by … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, dissertation, grad school, procrastinating, work, writing | 5 Comments

We were on a break!

Posted on January 7, 2013 by rglw

Academic breaks are an awkward time for us scholars. With only 15 weeks in the classroom every semester, there is little time to escape, little chance for a “vacation” day. Academic breaks are a time to recharge and to play … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, higher education, holidays, schools, work, writing | 3 Comments

Non-resolutions for 2013

Posted on January 2, 2013 by rglw

Day 2 of the new year.  I have always been a resolutions kind of girl.  Some years have been very specific like “Stop biting my nails” (an ongoing battle).  Other years, they have been grander like “Be focused” (I think … Continue reading →

Posted in blogging, food, health, holidays, personal, work, writing | 7 Comments

You only write your dissertation once

Posted on December 12, 2012 by rglw

Thankfully, in academia, you only write your dissertation once. Thank. goodness. Most graduate training is oriented towards research and writing, but the art of research and writing is less evident in the formal curriculum.  And if your graduate training has … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, dissertation, grad school, procrastinating, work, writing | 3 Comments

Faux dissertation acknowledgements….

Posted on December 7, 2012 by rglw

I am trying to lock down this final analytical chapter of my dissertation.  There is always more to write, edit and adjust with the project, but I am aiming to have a full draft together by the end of the … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, dissertation, grad school, work, writing | 4 Comments