dissertations, blackbirds, and rain

Reading over my last post, I see that a fair bit has happened since that was written. My essay marks came out about a week and a half ago now, and I did reasonably well. I've begun my dissertation in earnest, with the initial plan and title off to the program director for approval. I got some photos developed, and picked up my prints from a weekend course I took at the end of April in photopolymer printmaking. And the sun shone on the city once more! The weather, of course, has now turned back to daily rain and clouds and wind, but it is warmer and feels closer to the time of year that it is. And a week of sun and summer weather didn't exactly hurt either. I finally got to break out my sandals, and for that I am exceptionally grateful.

From now on, I'll be working away at my dissertation, bit by bit, until it is done, sometime before the 17th of August. While still busy, the pace of the dissertation is far more manageable than was the taught portion of this degree. It leaves me with time to do the little necessary things like shopping for groceries regularly, or visiting in the evening with friends when I want to, and of course the other necessary thing of future hunting. It's a common enough question, 'what are you doing after this?,' and I now finally feel like I have the time to put some effort into finding that out. I can also devote a little time to pleasure reading, and my various art projects, and that feels really nice. I look forward to developing a summer routine here. One that involves weekends at farmers markets and the seashore, yoga in the mornings, and rambling walks through beautiful, lush, parks. That's the plus side of endless rainy days, beautiful vibrant greenery that hardly loses its shine all year round, and which somehow becomes even fuller and greener with a little sun.

If all goes well, I'll have roughly half of my dissertation written by the beginning of July, just in time for my big brother to visit. At which time we'll be off to check a couple more European cities off our lists. Until then, here are a few photos from the last little bit. And there'll be more where these came from, once I finish with the scanner.