Research Participants

Hello!

I'm looking for as many participants as possible, from all different walks of life and cultural backgrounds, etc., to participate in a survey on my online multimedia magazine Donna: http://kakonged.wordpress.com. The topic is the politics of black hair. I look forward to your participation.

All participants will later be invited to be extraordinary students in a free online course linked to the politics of black hair that would last over four months and be targeted to young and old adults - and everyone in between like me. After completing the survey, please send me an email to both: dkakonge@sympatico.ca and dkakonge@gmail.com to avoid computer problems.

The cap of enrollment for the online global course is 300 people. That is about all this teacher, journalist, author can deal with at max. I would like to fill it to maximum, so please - participate, help, learn and grow. Times of the classes will be flexible and will be modeled after a University of Toronto course I have taken at U of T. U of T is also the school where I am currently a PhD student at.

Thanks again!

Cheers,
Donna

Unexpected Update

The power went out in my neighbourhood this afternoon. I'm at a local cafe sipping on cafe and waiting for the power to come back. It could of even come back by now. I miss my home.

I must say it was kind of nice having the lights out. I lit some candles and sat outside talking to my Dad who lives next door. I got some news last night about a dear, dear friend of mine and I have dealing with that. Really...the news is so devastating that it is something he is going to have to deal with for the rest of his life. It's a good thing that he is such a strong and stable person that I know he will get through it just fine.

I'm reading through some curriculum theory and actually starting to find it easier to understand. It's going to take me awhile with this one. I am sure after some years, I will be able to sprout all this theory into plain language and teach a class with it if I am so inclined. The prospects are exciting.

Well, off I go. I do not want my coffee to get cold.

June Update

Wow, how time flies! I can hardly believe we are all halfway through the year. This year has been an interesting one for me. Getting into OISE/University of Toronto was realizing a dream I have had for years now. I am so excited about being in the program and now I am coming very close to completing my first course in the program.

I'm currently working on a dissertation proposal on the politics of black hair. I am thinking of branching this idea out to discuss hair in general. There is so much to include on this topic, and so many great works that have come out since I started this research back in 1998 that I am really glad that I am revisiting it.

My teaching with Ryerson for the Spring/Summer semesters this year is drawing to a close. It has been a wonderful experience that I have thoroughly enjoyed. I have applied to teach there for the fall, and will be applying to teach for the Chang School again in the fall too. I am hoping that by keeping my bases covered, something will pan out.

I am also still waiting to hear about teaching with Seneca@York for the fall as well. I will be teaching there for the summer semester. The course I will be teaching is media writing. I am really looking forward to it, especially since this is a course I really enjoy teaching. I am fortunate that I consistently receive courses that I really enjoy to teach.

Well...it's getting late and I better start preparing for bed. Even though my inner financial advisor is against it, I am having Crystal Clear Maids come in and clean for me on Sunday morning. I tried cleaning myself again, however I am just guiltily addicted to the expert clean that this company provides. There is supposed to be a great Jewish Festival happening in Toronto on Sunday, so if you are in town, you should check it out. Plus, there are also great games with the World Cup to catch. An old friend of mine is hosting the games, Kim Brunhuber. He's doing a fantastic job. We went to school together at Carleton University.

Whatever you do tomorrow, especially if you are in Toronto, the weather is supposed to be cloudy, but a high of 26 C. Not too bad. Enjoy yourself!