I am not a fan of the heat!

That headline could be interpreted a few ways. Since it is summer and July is quickly approaching, the first interpretation is directly correlated with the temperatures. I do not do well in the heat, I tend to melt when the temps reach over 70 degrees, which seems to be my perfect summer temperature but I have yet to find a place where that could be my reality for the entirety of the summer. So far, here in London, the highest temperature has been about 85. In reality that isn't too bad but add in 94% humidity and the game changes. This week has been cooler and we have had some rain so I'll take that! I went our for a walk about 2:00pm today and it was perfect! A little breeze accompanying that 72 degrees and I was a happy camper, well walker.

The other meaning I see in that headline is the heat of compiling research, writing a dissertation, and planning how to tackle the project aspect. On top of that, add in the heat of looking for employment and preparing presentations for interviews. Six hour interviews kick the heat up a notch as well. It must be done, so I move forward, but I always make time to take a walk, smell the flowers, and enjoy time outside. I wish I could send the smells (well the good ones) from the flowers, trees and the fresh air after the rain this morning. It really was wonderful

It is crazy that my time here is winding up! It is hard to believe I have been here for 10 months. In some ways I feel like I have been here forever and at other times I feel like I just arrived. Next week I will likely make my last trip into downtown London. I must visit the V&A (Victoria & Albert) museum one last time for some research but other than that I don't have a reason to be in the heart of London again, this trip. I really do not mind because London proper is not my favorite place but I will miss that it is so close and available.

As I mentioned above, I have been applying for teaching posts at universities in the US. It is quite the process. Each time I apply I have to revamp my CV, cover letter, equality and diversity statement, teaching philosophy, and anything else they ask for. Each post can be so unique that it can sometimes take me a week to put it together. It is a lot to on top of writing a dissertation but it must be done, I need to support myself. I am excited about teaching and am hopeful about a few that I am interviewing with now. The interview process is intense. They usually narrow down to 6-10 candidates and invite them to a first interview, via Zoom or Teams, which lasts about 30 minutes. There are usually 3-4 people on the Zoom call and they ask a series of questions and then if there is time left they ask if you have questions. Once they get through the initial interviews they narrow down to 3 candidates and if feasible bring them to campus for an all day event. I have been doing the second interviews via Zoom, since it is a bit expensive to fly me in from England. Honestly it would be hard to do quick transatlantic flights, so it works. The day long process includes interviews with the Dean, Department heads, Search Committees etc., and presentations. The presentations usually include one delivered to students (20-30 min) which is a lecture type presentation of my choice, and another presentation (30-40 min.) presented to a committee covering an area of research or something significant that I am involved in and ties in with the universities goals or mission. Then a wrap up interview and Q&A. When candidates go to campus for these interviews they have dinner with the committee the evening before and lunch in between interviews and presentations so the day is even fuller. Zoom works out well except for missing out on the campus tour and seeing a bit of the city.

Then you wait, and hope the university you are interested in most chooses you.

It is really tough when there are two universities that would be great places to be. The whole process is crazy!

Well, I must get on to writing that dissertation! I committed to writing for an hour today and this doesn't count, but writing this has me in the proper mode so I will crack on!

Cheers!!