This is it.

 This past week I officially turned in my final paper as well as my finished poster related to this thesis. It has not quite set in that in 18 days I will walk the stage and receive my diploma. I think this feeling is because I have been working towards this goal most of my life, and now that is here I am thinking to myself, what comes next. I am relieved to have gotten this far and can now relax a bit as we coast into finals week and our poster presentation session. I truly enjoyed my time here are RIT and cannot wait to see what everyone accomplishes in the future. 

Officially Crossed the Finish Line!

 We're officially here! I absolutely cannot believe that I did this. I am so proud of myself and all of my accomplishments that I have been able to make this year. It is truly an honor to be able to graduate from this program. I have learned so much here at my RIT, and I am excited to apply all that I have learned to my professional life. I have gone through a lot of big changes while here at RIT, and I've learned a lot about myself, and all for the better. I am greatly looking forward to presenting my poster at the poster session, and finally getting to walk across a stage for graduation for the first time of my life. Thank you to all of my incredible professors and mentors that I have in my time here at RIT. Getting to work with you all was truly an honor. 

It's Actually Done!

It seems surreal that my thesis is finally capital-F Finished. The waiting period between the final draft and approval was a strange limbo of simultaneous relief and anxiety. Being able to turn my attention to my other classes, the end of the semester seemed suddenly so much closer. I have so little left to do and it's bittersweet, but I'm glad to be moving on to the next chapter of my life. I am satisfied with the work I have done on my thesis. While there is so much more in my mind that I wish I could have explored, for my Bachelor's thesis I feel I have contributed my share for now. Going on to graduate school, I am excited to do more research and hopefully lay down roots where I plan to start my career.

It always seems impossible until it's done.

Hello, and welcome back to the final update on my thesis. Since my last update, I have submitted my final draft and finished my research poster, which is ready to print. First, I want to thank you for all the guidance and support Dr. Newman and Dr. Decker provided while developing my exhibition and thesis journey. Their expertise and insightful feedback were invaluable to my research and writing process. 

If you are attending the research poster session, feel free to track me down and ask anything and everything about my project, exhibit, or collection. I will be more than happy to talk with you all.

Finally, I will leave you all with one final poster that I feel genuinely encapsulates my feelings about finishing my thesis project.

Thank you all again, 

James Falotico signing off

T-Minus... 18 Days!

I have officially submitted my poster and final thesis! I feel really happy to be finally done and have crossed this finish line. I am looking forward to the poster session next week where I will be dressed in my best pink and green dress to celebrate "the bloom!" Funny enough, next weekend, May 3-5, is the final weekend of the festival when all of my favorite events take place. I am looking forward to seeing my hometown's social media posts and friends post their experiences and the events they particpate in this year! Almost there! 

Officially Done!

 I just submitted my approved paper and poster, so I am officially done with my thesis! This whole process has been such a wonderful learning experience for me, and I feel like my writing and researching skills have improved so much. I honestly am almost going to miss it- I feel like there is so much more research to do! However, I am really proud and happy that I have finished it. 

April Showers... We're Almost There!

 I have been working in overdrive the last couple weeks. Prior to spring break, I was having major writer's block, but have successfully been working through that mroe recently. When I met with my readers in March, I walked away with a very do-able list of things to add, take away, and revise as I finished writing. I feel like I have been successful with most of those to-dos, and am still working my way through others. I have added a really great section on my interview with Larry Omps, former mayor of Winchester, VA to my methodology that I feel encompasses the conversation and feelings we share about Apple Blossom. I have had to learn new ways of footnoting objects within a given collection, which is great for my writing now and in the future. With one weke left, I have three things left on my to-do list! I am excited to be almost to the finish line!

April Showers Bring... a Finished Thesis?!?!

My thesis is coming along about as good as it could be, with one glaring exception... that it isn't done yet! With one week until our full papers are due, it's time to hunker down and make the last few additions before we enter the final edit stage. The document itself is getting to the length that my computer takes a minute to open it, which is probably a sign that I should wrap things up 😅

Since we didn't hold a formal topic defense in the fall, I am looking forward to poster presentations. Presenting our work to faculty and friends after two semesters of effort is, to me, the finish line --- after that, all that will be left to do is walk across the stage and get my diploma!

As spring... springs, more and more Renn Faires are opening their doors (and/or websites) for summer ticket sales! Sadly, the paltry salary of a college student has once again prevented me from purchasing a season-long ticket, but regardless of that, I think it'll be another great year in the world of the (fake but still wonderful) Renaissance! 🌞