It’s been a hot minute since I last updated the world on my ever-so-slow PhD progress (if anybody is bursting to know). Yes, I’m still at it but the finish line is just about in sight now. Working towards this degree part-time is tough. Six years seems to be forevvvvvver especially when, like me, you’ve had to take two Interruptions from Study that collectively total over a year (first of all because my Mum was struggling with the immediate effects of treatment after her shock advanced cancer diagnosis – an illness which also coincided with my Mother-in-law also falling very ill and recovering at 6 weekly intervals. Then the last one was when I realised my Mum only had a few weeks left, and the surprise death of my Mother-in-law. So last year was a bit tricky!). Although it has been amazing seeing most of my full-time cohort graduate with their degrees, I can’t but help being a wee bit jealous as I scratch my head and stare at random paragraphs wishing that they would write themselves.
However, I soldier on. Two chapters done, one to go. And of course, I leave the hardest one until last; thank you, 2017 June. It is really rewarding though, and I am loving finding new things about Anthony Powell’s places in Dance that haven’t been studied before. He is really a brilliant author.
Last summer I also loved presenting some of my research at the Anthony Powell Society conference – my paper appeared to be very popular which was just the encouragement I needed on return from leave following my Mum’s death. The Anthony Powell Society have been (and still are) an extremely knowledgeable group of people and I am indebted to them for their help on various aspects of my research. I’m doing this thesis for them as well as my beloved Mum (who made me promise not to quit it), my family, and my supervisor.
So, I’ll keep trudging on toward that submission date (hopefully early 2024 at the latest). My supervisor has been the best – so patient with bumbling old me as well as being incredibly supportive and encouraging. Couldn’t ask for better. My thesis acknowledgements are almost going to be as long as my introduction! Almost there, me. Almost there.
Back to the research……..
June's Jottings 