It has been a while...

Good morning to you fine people...

 

     I have been neglecting this site for quite some time; quite dusty in here.  Although I should be typing away at a 20 page paper and work on my very last presentation for this semester (which I have to present tomorrow morning), I decided to first come here and write somewhat of an update.  On top of that, blogger changed their format/look on me and I have to work myself a bit through that new layout.  Old dogs and new tricks and such..

     This semester was quite interesting... the work load was crazy, but I was deeply submerged in History... American Military History, where I had to listen how the Prussians got their "arses" kicked and then served on a silver platter; and I had a chance to give a presentation in regards to "...but let's not forget..." as a response to said kicking.  In this same class I was able to use my personal research in regards to the discussions of King Philip's War, which was really neat (not the war, but that I could tie my research into this class).   Medieval Religion and Thought was another interesting class, which gave a good understanding even into the people I am privately researching.  When you have the time and the interest for a good medieval laugh, you should go to YouTube and watch any and all episodes of "Worst Jobs in History (The Dark Ages)" and "Worst Jobs of the Middle Ages".  The other class was my most interesting class, I would say; Europe and the Islamicate World to the Enlightenment. This class had very little to do with my personal research, however, it teaches to look at things from different vantage points.  To assess before we judge.  This class, of course, had a huge emphasis on religion in the context of understanding all religions and their origins coupled with human behavior and interpretations.  This class was given by Professor Tadros, which I have had for several other classes ( I introduced him to you fine people in some of my research posts on my research blog ...Walk with me ).   Those were the most important classes of my semester and they took up a lot of my time.  Two more weeks of lectures followed by one week of final exams and then it is .....

     ... Off to Europe....  good ole Deutschland here I come...  I will not only go back "home", but also go to England and Italy.  My travel partner is Julia, while Lewis and Jenny remain here, busy with their studies, work and dance.  I am really excited about this trip... I will continue my research in England and start a new research in Berlin.  Professor Tadros suggested to not only specialize myself in one area for my doctorate.  His suggestion was to use my heritage of being a German and study the migration of Germans to the New World in the 17th century and then bring both of my studies together.  Thus, I will go to Berlin and speak to Historians there and start my research.  Hopefully, I will be spending a lot of time in the Archives in Germany and England (England, because of my specialization in the founding of New England and, of course, to find John Lewis of Westerly....AND I WILL FIND HIM!!! ).  Pretty cool, yes?  Oh, why Italy...  Julia decided to study the history of Religions with an emphasis on the Crusades, thus, we are off to the Vatican City and the Vatican library.  Lots of "good stuff".   And this all begins mid-May... sooooooo excited ;-)  And, as always, I will keep everyone updated via my blogs (here and my research blog) from wherever I am in Europe.

So, that's my update.. what's yours????