Languages and Dissertation

Sitting in a coffee shop almost a week after finals finished.  This is how I know my life is less busy: While at this coffee shop, I did about an hour and a half of work on German.  In a few moments, I may review some Russian.  But I have felt at leisure to read the news, make changes to my fantasy baseball team, look up information about Russia, and check Facebook.

Why Russia?  You may ask.  I am hesitant to talk about it too much, but I think my dissertation topic will be about a Russian composer.  So I am learning the language (two tutoring sessions down) and doing research on my topic and the country itself, since I would like to travel there when my coursework is done.  The length of time I would spend in Russia has yet to be determined and would depend on many outside factors, the least of which includes funding.  At any rate, for me to do my dissertation topic justice, I really should travel to Russia.  It's very exciting, but I wish things would chill out.  My tutor has reassured me that Russia is actually a very hospitable place. 

This summer I am also planning two recitals.  Of course, the second recital will not be completely planned.  My first one of the school year, with the women's choir, will be planned, however, and this includes the paper I will write.  I have a lot of ideas and just need to make a decision on which direction I want to take the choir.  My second recital, which happens in the spring, is with one of the other mixed groups on campus, and I likewise have many ideas for them.  However, that is less important. 

I am taking an online German course about how to read in German.  My hope is to finish the course before August.  I don't think this will be a problem, unless, of course, the instructor doesn't get back to me after I submit an assignment.  Like this past week.  I have to wait to turn in the next assignment before I can turn in the next one.  If I don't hear back from him by Wednesday morning, I will send him an e-mail.  At that point, it would have been over a week.  I will not get done in time if it takes a week to turn around assignments.  However, the first two assignments I submitted he returned to me the day I submitted them.  Perhaps I did not hit submit or it got lost in the shuffle of the end-of-the-year emails. 

Well, this is a boring post.  Perhaps something more stimulating next time.