In order to keep better track of my academic progress, as well as allow several key people (you know who you are) to keep tabs on me, this journal will track milestones and activities of my next three years in PhD. I have already completed my coursework year, with solid marks. Currently, I am studying for my general comp (January 2007), and have finished studying two books so far (Mama Lola and Religion & Ethnicity in Canada). I have been averaging a book a week. I am also working on my field comp list with my advisor, and this should easily be firmed up by December. I have not yet met with my committee, but will do so as soon as a date can be arranged. There is a strong possibility that I will be RA to Dr. Dawson for the summer. I am working on a short preliminary proposal for Dr. Shapiro to see, so I can start work on my full ten page draft, due in August. The final, department approved, draft is due in August 2007.  I am also starting work towards the OGS and SSHRC applications for October 2006, as well as several smaller research funding programs. In terms of professional development, I am preparing two conference presentation abstracts, one for a conference on "Diaspora and Discovery" in Vancouver in October 2006, and the other for an international conference on "The '60s and Global Consciousness" in Kingston for next summer. I hope that at least one of these abstracts will have been accepted by the time my SSHRC/OGS applications are due. I have written and submitted a semi-final draft of a chapter for a book entitled Well! A Tribute to Jack Benny, to be published by Bear Manor Books, and I am waiting for their final response. However, the editor has been most welcoming of my efforts. With luck, I will have this publication firmed up with a forthcoming date by the time I apply for SSHRC and OGS.  My goals for next year, then, consist of presenting before at least one professional national or international conference, to start my teaching dossier, to guest lecture several more times, to TA two more classes, possibly RA some more, publish at least one piece, and, of course, finish my comps and prepare my proposal draft before August 2007. I also hope to attend the AAR conference in Washington, DC, and attend the film talks there, as well as meet with my advisor (who is on sabbatical in Israel from July to next summer). It is also quite likely that I will write my French language exam next school year or next summer, at the latest, unless we can agree that I already have the required French credits.



PS. Today is also my 28th birthday. Just thought I'd note that.