"A Summer of Project Mapping"

It's the home stretch until January 2012. I love maps and this summer I will be following a map I created to bring me to the finish line of my research project, aka thesis. On one of the pages in one of my research journals, is a spread called "interactional theory." It's a rough map, but it gives me a sense of direction. My background in creative project management taught me to divide a major project into logical portions, and not just follow the index. So, for the summer I will be gathering all sorts of research as well as write substantial portions of my own observations and analyses, including a harvest of all I have studied in the past year-and-a-half. Now, in case you think, "what kind of a summer is that?" Let me assure you I will have an enjoyable summer on our island paradise, among the trees, in my studio, by the ocean, with family and friends. It's just that I love this time of my life. Interaction not only as theory, but as a daily practice. Today I will make pancakes for all the children at the HOPE Centre. To all of you, have a blessed summer :)

"Four Weeks Later"

Just coming out of PSIBS, Post Spring Institute Blahs Syndrome. That and with all the intense studies that led up to the May session in Edmonton, left me pretty empty of any creative inspiration. I suppose that's the price of scholarly pursuits. Headaches on the left side of the brain and silence on the right side. I did manage to stay in touch with my coffee shop people drawing, but I knew one day I had to re-acquaint myself with my studio. So, I just sat there trying to think conceptually. Did a representational drawing and then an abstract, but my Masters research project kept taunting me to get back to the computer. Capitulation and confidence make and odd couple. But, today I'm on a roll again. Got some conceptual artwork on the go. One major highlight of course was our daughter's wedding and seeing all the grandchildren together. One such "flying angels" flew into my hands just be a special blessing that day. Tbc.

Big crowds and nice suit

It was Friday, May 20, 2011, the final day of our Spring Institute at the University of Alberta. There we all were, presenting and defending our poster presentations, each poster a visual abstract of our culminating research project (thesis) due next year. Despite the generous lunch buffet laid out for us, we talked and talked. No time to eat. But, the crowd was friendly and my suit looked pretty snappy.

Back Home Again

Back to the island, safe and sound. That's the last of the ferries that took me to my island paradise. My friend and I decided to drive non-stop from Edmonton. Left the city Saturday 10:45 am. It was a spectacular day, stunning sunset as we drove west. Then from Kamlpoops we headed to Cache Creek and then Hwy.99 "over the top" through Marble Canyon, Lillouet ( it was pitch dark by now ) to Pemberton, Whistler, and Horseshoe Bay. Yes, it snowed west of Lillouet at high altitudes. Brrrr. Arrived at the ferry terminal my 3:00 am, with enough time to snooze in the van for a few hours. First ferry was at 6:20. Talk about being zonked out! Don't think I'll do much thinking for a couple of days. But the sound of two papers that need to be finished by the end of this week, rings loud in my ears. The second Spring Institute was a huge success. Now it's the journey to the finish line. One more core course in the Fall, and between now and next April my research project (thesis). Ah, life at 66. Never a dull moment.

Spring Institute 2011 is finished

Three weeks of intense study, many presentations and finally today, our poster presentation in front of fellow students, staff, faculty, and the public, as they visit the displays in the Atrium of Enterprise Square in downtown Edmonton. The 4 x 6 poster is a graphic representation of each graduate student's abstract and methodology of his or her culminating research project. Then it's the long but beautiful drive back to my island home. One more core course to do in the Fall and between now, the Fall, and Spring of 2012, I will write my final project (thesis). That would mean the Master degree will be my 67th birthday present. Older but wiser. My supervisor is Dr.Gordon Gow, with whom I have worked during two independent study electives last year. I hope to post more photos of the Spring Institute when I get them. Thank you for keeping in touch. (That's me on the roof patio of the Art Gallery of Alberta in Edmonton ).

Week two yahoo!

Not quite ready to go home yet, but my mind is starting to think (favourably) about the long ride home. I just finished week 2 of the Spring Institute and next week Friday on the last day, I put it all together for the Symposium. It's a time to showcase my poster which summarizes my final major research project. It's an opportunuty to present my project to faculty, fellow students and staff of the university. It's a very exciting time. Then of course, comes the "home stretch." Not just driving back through the Rockies, but to actually do the research and literature reviews to complete the masters studies by April 2012. Yes, there has been a lot of pressure these past two weeks, but with one week to go, I look forward to my studio and some time off during the summer before I undertake the last two courses of the program. Stay tuned!

The first week is finished

And what a busy week it was, much like last year's Spring Institute. Wall-to-wall information processing until my head swam with methodology, research design and ethnography. Again it felt like I was on my laptop 24/7. I had to make a number of presentations, but a definite highlight was my special Silverpoint Presentation which had its purpose intertwined in my research as a metaphor for graduate studies. Being back in class with familiar faces was very special. It'll be a challenge to stay connected after this, our 2nd Spring Institute, when all of us will go our diverse ways, each in pursuit of his or her own research project as a final thesis for our masters degree. Tomorrow I'll take a break and go for a nice long drive into the sparsely populated spaces of northern Alberta. Then it's "back to school" in downtown Edmonton for two more weeks.