Das Gute kritisch betrachten um das Bessere zu erreichen

The first Blog at the dawn of a new Module.
I just want to wish everyone all the best for the final push (feels a bit like a premiere after a good rehearsal period ((O;)...let´s hope we all come out of this at the other end with a suitcase full of life-enriching experiences!

I also hope everyone has had a great and eventful summer. It certainly sounds like it, with people working for the Olympics, travelling and getting up to many other inspiring things.

For my part I came to London for a couple of days just before the Olympics started and it was great to feel the buzz all about the city. I also managed to go to Middlesex´s Hendon Campus and have a snoop around ((O;
Here´s a photo in the spirit of the last module....I hope I can explore more possibilities than that of a crunchy...(no idea, why that got in the picture ((O;....but I do love and miss a good crunchy..)

So, what have I done to start exploring the possibilities so far?
I have changed my approach towards the work I want to produce for university. I understand, that I am not some supernatural super-alien with the ability to stretch time. I am working full time and life seems to be pretty busy otherwise too, so I need to set aside certain hours of the week geared towards studying (I´m actually thinking 7-8am, so I don´t have to worry about it, if the plan changes at work, as it so frequently does).
I also need to continuously make sure that I don´t go off along the wrong track, as there is really no time for that now. (So no more browsing interesting sounding pieces of literature, that are not in the line of my inquiry)
I have made a plan until the submission deadline on jan.7th. Luckily we already have our free days, performances and, when we are going on tour, so I can plan around that quite comfortably!Here´s what I see, when I sit at my desk and turn my head left ((O;

I have identified three broad chapters of work: Data Collection, Evaluation and Writing.

As there are three months I will work in periods of 6 weeks each, each overlapping by two. Simple, right??

I have also decided to go back to working primarily with paper and pencil. In the previous modules I was very avid at trying out iCal, Merlin, BibDesk, MindNode and what have you, but you can´t teach an old dog new tricks and I seem to be getting old. (I am still waiting to grow fur and a tail)

After several attempts I always find myself printing the documents I produce out and editing them with pencil. I have since I am 6 years old used a paper calendar and as now I even make my own, why should I not use something that has proven worthwhile and I always carry with me???

I also changed, how I write my learning journal. I purchased a smaller note book in which every page is dedicated to one day of studying. Instead of trying to be creative in my writing, I just jot down quick notes on the manner of "Wrote e-mail to....", "Read pgs. 13-19, real world research....", "wrote blog..."Das Gute...""...simple and easy to revisit for me.

So basically all I am trying to do, is to keep it all as simple as possible to me.

Other than that I also re-read my module 2 assignment and the feed-back given in order to get my head back into the mode I was in, when I wrote it and to now adapt it to the development my mind and situation has made in the rather long and eventful summer-period.

I hope I am now ready for the final leg of the journey and that I have made adequate provisions.

I am looking forward to the discoveries I am about to make and the challenges I stand before and hope for an enriching learning experience.......((O;