The results are in...

I had the oral defense of my comprehensive exams Friday afternoon, and my committee members were pleased with my responses, so I officially passed. I can now call myself a Ph.D. candidate instead of a Ph.D. student. It's also known as "ABD," or all but the dissertation. Ironically, ABD are my initials.

We also had a discussion about my dissertation, so I have lots to think about and figure out in regards to the research I want to do dealing with the ethical ramifications of journalists who blog.

I haven't felt much like celebrating this weekend because I'm battling a nasty cold. I was losing my voice during Friday afternoon's meeting, and now I can't stop coughing.

The weather changes up here as fast as it did in Florida. It was 59 degrees yesterday, and this morning we woke up to snow on the ground and highs in the 20s today. It's just a dusting, and much of it has melted, however, I was able to get the girls to go out in it briefly. The evidence is below since they quickly made their way back inside the warm house.