Discourse Chronicle

[Theme song: Theme from Mission: Impossible. I always attempt selecting an appropriate song for each semester as evidence that despite seemingly increasing levels of insanity with teaching, research, classes, and personal life happenings, I maintain my unique and dry sense of humor. I am also reminded that things get done and done well whenever each semester ends and that never fails to amaze me. A few nights ago, I talked with Nick Stepaniak (my best friend of 16 years now) and he said I become more intellectually intimidating as I complete more semesters toward my PhD, which is something I never believe. All I know is where my passions lie and I love pursuing them as well as talking about them.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth successfully defended her dissertation and became Dr. Elizabeth Fleitz! Elizabeth found work next fall as a tenure-track Assistant Professor at Southeast Missouri State University as well! We returned last week from finding her an apartment in Cape Girardeau, MO and she recently purchased a 2009 Chevy Malibu. We are celebrating being together for two years coming up in June.

Now I am preparing for prelim exams, which involves: reading 70 sources from a core reading list about Rhetoric and Composition; answering 3 questions from my committee in 8-10 pages per question; and developing a specialized portfolio with an extensive revision project, a course proposal and syllabus, and a review essay based on 30 self-selected sources as a specialized list. I imagine that sounds intense, but now is when I start working with my ideas under less supervision, which is something I looked forward to happening from the beginning. However, things seem like an impossible mission because I feel like I know nothing at all without courses. A strange feeling I imagine quickly passes. BK]

category: Life