The Finished Masters

Well, this blog did its thing. I am complete now. This blog is finished, ended, kaput. The Unfinished Masters is no more.

As proof I submit the world's goofiest graduation photo, captured by husband Peter just in time, crossing many red velvet lines, breaking all rules to bring this to you. I had only 2 seconds to stand.

Thanks to all my readers for their support. I could not have done this without you. When I start my next blog, I'll let you know.

See linked image below for complete set of photos:

graduation 2009 photos

Keep in touch.

cheers, rani

Graduating - May 19

Well, it's done.

After speaking with my adviser today, she approved my last and final course (Programming II equivalency) and is submitting final paperwork for graduation.

I'm graduating. May 19.

It hasn't really sunk in yet -- I don't quite know what to do with myself.

So dear readers, my final post will be after May 19th with photos of said graduation ceremony. And then it will be goodbye, for this blog has fulfilled it's role.

MA Thesis and Project - accepted!!!

Can you believe it? I'm done with the MA thesis and project! I just want to cry.

My adviser complimented on my work and asked permission to share my MA project with other students as a model project! Wow, I can't believe it?

I'm so happy.

Draft 2 (final?) - submitted

Quick note - revisions to MA paper submitted last night. Hopefully this will be the final draft. Now to focus on Java certification. Deadline is April 30.

Feedback - Draft 1

Well, the initial feedback from draft 1 arrived in my inbox yesterday. She "really liked" the paper (whew!), but can't open the flash files I sent. I rushed to meet a deadline and didn't have time to convert to an earlier more compatible format. Then she ended up being out for a week :-} There were of course, some very valid questions on sections of my argument/thesis, and other minor edits. Overall - a day's or so of work.

What I'm really curious about is how she will react the actual 'games' once she's able to play them. Waiting for the other shoe to drop, I keep thinking she'll take it all back and say "it's not good enough."

I'm having a hard time believing that this paper/project is worthy because it really didn't turn out like I wanted or expected. But I know that I had to do it the way I did it to get it out of my system. This particular design is something that I had to try. And now I have a better understanding of the limitations of content and form. I have a better understanding of why I struggled with this so. Even though intellectually I thought I understood what makes a better instructional design, the old teacher-centric models on how it ought to be done keep seeping back in. Conditioning and retraining of the mind are not so easily done. Not so easy to change the way you think; not so easy to change your metaphors.

Marmalade, Jam & Java

As I wait for feedback on my first draft, I've been busy knocking a few things off my list that have been hanging around for a while.

image courtesy SimplyRecipes
For instance, the 2 dozen+ Seville oranges I bought back in late January, early February. Well, the contractors for some crazy reason, decided to eat 3 -- and realized that they were bitter and sour (HELLO!). Then, byyesterday, 3 had rotted. So that left about 18-20. Made the first batch and wow - are they sour or what! It's marmalade alright. Pete should like it. Next batch I'll adjust for my sweeter tastes -- less rind, more sugar. Yum!

It's also the beginning of strawberry season in California. There was someone selling half-dozen pints by the side of the road, so a friend and I split them. About a 1/3 were perfectly ripe and delicious for eating (shared with the contractors, they liked.) The rest were a little tart - perfect for jam. So I made a quickie strawberry jam. Didn't quite set right -- fruit to sugar ratio was probably off -- and wowser -- so sweet. Will adjust down. Maybe I should try a strawberry orange mix...will let you know.

7 jars of marmalade so far, 7 jars of strawberry jam.

And Java -- as in the programming language. Restarted my studying and realized I would just die if I had to do another moment of the online course -- so incredibly tedious and boring. It puts me to sleep with 20 minutes. Better than Ambien. So I bought a recommended book and will slam through that -- just need to get this certification done in 2-3 weeks or so.

Hmmmm...what else can I make into a jam?

Draft 1 - sent!!

Whew! Tired.

First draft of paper and first draft of games sent for review. This was huge for me. Next up Java certification and revisions. Recommendation for graduation has to be handed in April 30.

Celebrate with me.