i need you, as you say, to stowe your crap

 As you can see from the list on your right, progress is being made. Last night I closed the survey with astonishing 355 responses (which will be a major pain in the arse to analyse):

I also met with my supervisor for the second time, we discussed my literature review and next steps. She approved the review (with some minor corrections) and we set up a time frame for the next bit of the writing to be submitted. I now have until November 22nd to work on methodology [1000 words] and the analysis of the survey [1500 words]. This is probably the worst part, as I hate the theory-banging. But it's not too long, so it shouldn't be that difficult to get through. And once I'm done with it, I'll be half way through the total word count :D

All this means a pretty intense fortnight, as I have to combine the dissertation with my other coursework. What keeps me going is the fact that I'll be done with it soon enough to be able to enjoy my last semester of undergrad without having to deal with the dissertation anymore. It's slightly annoying now, when my flatmate (who has until April to write her thesis) keeps counting the days until the Christmas break and I'm trying to ignore how fast the time flies. But I'll be rewarded later with peace and quiet and her freaking out :)

I'm off to write an essay on death in pop culture (I'm a very pop-cultural creature lately) for one of my classes. Wish me luck!

Until the next time,
Joanna

happy thoughts

Things are looking quite great at the moment, I hope in a few years I will remember this feeling of utter joy and excitement I am feeling now.

First of all, my questionnaire got approved by the Ethics Committee in a record time of two working days (and they said it would take a fortnight). I received their decision on Monday, when I was finishing the literature review, so I couldn't post the survey immediately. I finally did it yesterday, I linked it everywhere I could and I sent out a bunch of emails and private messages asking various bloggers from the fandom to spread the word. I was completely unprepared for the outcome. In a day I have received over 150 completed surveys! I'm not entirely sure how many do I actually need (I'll have to ask my supervisor) but still. It's so incredible and totally unexpected I can't believe it. This just proves I was right to choose something I love and am passionate about as my topic - because I knew other people would be just as invested in it. I guess being in the fandom for nine years does that to you.

I also finished the literature review, I sent it to my mum's friend for proofreading and hopefully by the end of the week I get it back to present it to my supervisor. So far that's 2683 words into the dissertation (it will change after the proofreading, I'm sure, but not by much), which is really helpful in making me less paralysed by the thought of writing something so big and important. Deconstructing it and facing it piece by piece is so much easier.

I guess this is me being extraordinarily optimistic. Enjoy it while it lasts :)

Until the next time,
Joanna

P.S. If you haven't seen the survey already (and frankly, it's everywhere :P), check it out HERE. Remember, you'll helping science become more awesome :D