I'm cracking up in my office. Because it's hot, the whole university smells like fart today, and course it is gorgeous outside. But, in I stay.

I remembered something that I found hilarious when I was taking first year Biblical Hebrew.

The Hebrew word for garment or clothing (and treachery, randomly enough) is בגד (beged).

I used to called being naked, being un-beged-ed.

Hey, it amused me...and several other students.

It's actually ערוה (ervah) for nakedness. :)

Sitzung today.*

On track, which is a useful feeling.

Basically, I have all of July and most of August to write a good chunk of the first section of my thesis.** I'd like to have not only the writing but also a general framework done by then. September and October will both be super busy because of the wedding, so I'm making up for them somewhat.

I need to divide up my writing or I'll look at the mountain of it and despair. Word count for the thesis is 100,000 and no more. I'm not sure what the penalty for going over is...but I don't want to find out. Upper limits are strictly observed at UoA.***
With roughly 136 weeks left of my PhD, I'm mentally estimating about 750 words a week. Obviously, some weeks will see no writing and others will see scads more.

I have, in the last four months, found my footing with my topic, written a conference colloquium paper, and read Ruth, Esther, Jonah,**** and a good chunk of Deuteronomy closely.
I've also moved into my office, a process that took four months because of the moving out of one person and the musical desks we've played.

Two things that need done of the non-academic, but related, variety:
1) Get BibleWorks installed on my office computer. I'd do it myself but we don't have administrator privileges for our office machines.*****
2) Buy a second copy of my Hebrew Lexicon so I don't have to carry it back and forth.

Sometimes I can't believe that I'm actually doing a PhD. Sometimes, I think, 'This is all we have to do? I'd be doing this anyway!'

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* I call any meeting with Dr. S 'Sitzung'. That sets them apart when I glance at my calendar.
** There will be three sections total. I think. If I don't change it by tomorrow. *sigh*
*** At least in my department
**** Because they're easy, that's why. It's always easier to read Hebrew prose than poetry for me. Also, I should point out that this isn't the only sections I've read, recently or ever. It's just that these are the ones I've read with the proverbial fine-tooth comb.
***** I don't know either.

I try not to run on too much about wedding stuff, but a few updates now and again should be okay, I think. Mind you, you'll get an eyeful late Sept/early Oct, so brace up now.

Invitations for the UK/Europe went out today. It is absolutely horrible trying to decide whether or not to invite one person or another. I hope we stay friends with everyone.

That said, we're quite happy to have people come to the ceremony and/or ceilidh, we just can't afford to feed everyone at the sit-down meal.

I need to organize my thoughts a bit better to know what has yet to be done.

A few other points of...well, not interest...so just points.

1. I applied for my 'permission slip' to marry ybunny. *rolleyes* Hopefully that will be back soon.

2. I spilled curry on my new favorite shirt last night at Nawaab's. drjoan/redthought/anyone else who's minded, could you possibly pick up one of the bright blue short sleeve v-necks from Target (the own-brand ones) if you get a chance?

3. I'm over the moon with my new GP. Great doctor, great nurses, great location. Maybe the NHS works after all.

4. ybunny has left with A, his brother J, and neepheid for the Download Festival. I hope they come back intact. I'm not really worried.

5. I finished up translating the book of Ruth from Hebrew. I'd done the first chapter once before, but I figured since it's a short one I might as well do the rest before returning to Deuteronomy. Which is miles long. *sigh* I'd spent a few moments on it in Cornwall, but today I sat down with my lexicon and had some quality, non-interupted time. Huzzah.

Right. That was far too random. I'm off to the church to play the piano. (A real piano! Not a keyboard! I'm so stoked.)