Hi guys!

I hope all is well with you.

I have fantastic news about my graduate degree. I have presented my thesis proposal to the thesis committee and have been approved to proceed with my PhD. This means that I have, theoretically speaking, graduated with the Master's degree (although I do not see it until the end of the degree) and I am now a PhD candidate! I'm soooo excited! I am completing a MPsych/PhD in Clinical Psychology, and I am required to write only one thesis, rather than two, at 100,000 words in length and taking me approximately 3 years to complete.

My thesis topic is (like this will be a surprise to some of you! haha): When Adoptees Become Biological Parents: Their issues, thoughts, and feelings. This research project has never been done before, and I'm thoroughly excited about getting out there and getting participants! I love research projects, so this is right up my alley.

Anyway, that's my news. I'm wondering if you're still thinking on studying down here Michael? And James, what are you up to? I don't have your updated email address, and I would LOVE to hear from you!!

Take care all, Lisa-Marie

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2003

Answers

Hello to everyone,

I appologize for my prolonged silence before you as well as before Paul. A one-year MA programme proved to be even more intense, demanding, and time-consuming than I thought. But it is almost over, and this fall I will begin my Ph.D. studies. Not sure where I will be, though, but so far I have received four offers of admission (from PoliSci and SPT at York, Philosophy at Essex, and Social Theory at U of Mebourne). I am still expecting a decision on funding and from the latter two universities, and have not received (as of yet) the responses from the other places I have applied to. Also, last week I learned that my paper is going to be published in "Rethinking Marxism"--a highly respected journal devoted to the new directions in Marxian theory (mostly in political economy). The paper's title is "Retracing Capital: Toward a Theory of Trace in Marxian Political Economy". I will let you know when it is published, if you are interested in taking a look.

Best regards to everyone,

Michael Marder

-- Anonymous, March 24, 2003