Update

It being my birthday, it seemed like it's time for one!

In the last year I have spent more time on my teaching. I hope I wasn't shirking it before, but I did feel like I needed to devote myself to it, be more active and proactive in what I do for my students. And I think it's paid off. Because as I look back on this year, I see my accomplishments in theirs. Helping them achieve things is my purpose and I take pride in the results.

So, here's my scorecard.

One student had her paper accepted and will present at the meeting of the Association for Core Texts and Courses.

Four students will present at the North American Undergraduate Conference in Religion and Philosophy.

Two students will present at Iona's Undergraduate Research Day.

One student accepted into the prestigious Blackfriars Hall program at Oxford.

One student accepted (with generous financial support) by Union Theological Seminary. UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: As I predicted, she has also been accepted to Harvard Divinity School! 

Those are what I'm really focused on, and how I measure my success this year. I guess that's been part of my realization this year - I'm a teacher first, and a writer second.

But, for those of you who know me mostly as an author, I have not been completely neglecting that part of my life: my work The Undead and Theology is a finalist for the Bram Stoker Award to be presented in June in New Orleans.