It’s been quiet around here recently, what with viva and conference preparations and then a trip to England to attend the actual conference and viva. Now that I’ve returned I can post some brief reflections.
First off, the Mingana conference was a wonderful experience full of excellent scholars and papers. I read my paper on the final morning of the conference and it was well-received overall. In most conferences one can easily blend into the background of anonymity, but the Mingana conference was wonderfully informal and intimate. I must say, though, that it was a bit intimidating sitting among the finest of one’s field and trying to “act” like one of them. But they were all gracious and down to earth. I must now set to work preparing my paper to (possibly) be published by Brill in a book that compiles the best of the conference papers.
But perhaps more importantly … the viva. I can say at the outset that I PASSED! As is expected, I have a few adjustments to make, but I am now almost officially Dr. Yago Feliz. The ordeal was rather intense and my examiners made me sweat at times, but all in all it was rather straightforward: just over an hour of discussion (mostly consisting of my examiners talking), 5 minutes of deliberation, and about 5 minutes to share with me the results.
Thanks to all who prayed and thought about me during this time; it was very much appreciated. I shall now get back to my “normal” duties and perhaps more consistent blog posting as well.