Well, the best laid plans...

don't always turn out the way you want them to. Sigh.

My doctoral HSRC (Human Subjects Review Committee) meeting was an interesting experience. I walked in with some expectations - of having my proposal signed off on and moving forward to finish up my dissertation and graduate this May. I put all my eggs in that basket so to speak.

It ended up that my committee members felt my dissertation needed some work - specifically more background information about technology integration, additional sources and so forth, and more current information about what is going on with technology integration in high school classrooms nationwide and in my district. The big piece was that my committee wants me to implement a pilot program with teachers in my school district, and collect data before and after the program by having those involved take the LoTi survey.

Now that's a good idea - really it is. If I'm honest with myself, it makes my proposal a better plan overall. It's better to collect data, research, run a program, and analyze it, and then suggest a plan of action to my school board, then to just suggest a plan based on a know gap that exists. This means, however, that I won't be graduating in May. But I was/am so disappointed. And it was Valentine's Day.

But I have the world's best husband. I came home and he totally made my night.

First, I got these beautiful tulips:

And then this awesome Hello Kitty Balloon:

And then this...

A new ZUNE!!! You can't see it from the picture, but it's engraved with a special message and a really cute design from my hubby. I've already named it. Yes, I name all of my electronics. "Her" name is "Ruby".

I made Peter dinner...

Pasta - it's heart shaped but you can't tell from the pic!

And has some pretty cool gifts for him, if I do say so myself...

A fuzzy "XO" card, A Sweetheart Spud Mr. Potato Head (it's Cupid and cute, but a little strange), and some Chuckar Cherry Sweets (specially shipped from Seattle - yummy!): Dried Bing Cherries, Cherry Pancake Mix, and Cherry Pie filling. I plan on making the pancakes tomorrow for his breakfast, and the pie Sunday night for him to enjoy this week.

I taught professional development today for my district - two sessions called "Getting Started with Podcasting". Both went really well - active participation for the most part and teachers who really seemed to want to be there. While there I came up with an idea for my pilot program for my dissertation. Hopefully I'll have some news if my idea is a go.