Last Friday I presented my research proposal to the Anthro/Arch department, faculty and students. It was about 15 min of me discussing the context of my research, why it's important, what questions I'm asking, and what methods I anticipate using in the field and the lab. It was super nerve racking before hand, and during, so much so that I went to take a sip of water in between slides and didn't tilt the bottle far enough back to actually get anything because I didn't want to take up too much time in silence. My mouth got pretty dry, but I was successful the second time before the question period. Only a few people asked questions, all of which of course were not ones that I had anticipated or expected would be asked. After that was all finished, everyone but faculty was asked to leave the room, where they conversed for a few minutes and we all stood around in the MA's office wondering what was taking so long. We assumed they were discussing dinner plans, weekend plans, or otherwise unrelates things. It was probably true, because by the time I was called back in to collect my computer, there were only 3 or 4 people left. My supervisor said no one had any complaints and were very pleased, especially with the pretty images and layout of my powerpoint.
I also applied for more grant money from MUN's Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) and had just finished printing my app for the J.R. Smallwood Foundation grant when I received news that it was canceled for the year. dinger. ISER is more money, and will cover the real costs of my fieldwork and lab needs, including (hopefully) the awesome chance to go to Ottawa (technically an offshoot building in Alymer QC) to the Canadian Museum of Nature's Zooarchaeological Identification Centre, where I can identify any bones from my excavation that are a mystery, based on the limited comparative collection we have at MUN. I can stay with my super cousin and her cute 3 year old who live close by. A visit to the National Archives would also be in order, to investigate for any Hudson's Bay trading post records from Labrador in the 19th C. Overall, a paid trip to hang out with my family, do fun research affiliated with a museum, and get a break from St. John's.
So that's that in terms of my research. No more presentations on it until next year when I talk for half an hour on 'what I did during my summer holidays' excavating, and how it has (probably) entirely changed the direction of my project, as per usual. And only one more application asking for money from the provincial archaeology office. Just term work for the next month (lame). I expect to be finished by April 8 and my plans beyond that point are uncertain.
A trip to Ontario is likely at some point between then and July, other than for my dad's wedding in June, before I go into the wild.
3 comments:
Did you draw the icons on the map yourself? Were any of the questions asked "why do you always reach for water but never drink? Is this an existential presenttion?"
You're very interesting.
Also, I love Ottawa.
L- no i didnt draw the icons, i just coloured the map in. i WISH people asked me questions like that, not lame ones like 'would you rather dig an earlier or a later house?'
C- you're back!
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