In recent weeks as our time away recedes to a very lovely memory its been back to study. Days spent walking the Island of Ortigia with the only concern being where to find a coffee have been replaced with meetings with my Supervisors, the research librarian etc, all part of the early stages of my PhD. Sure I have high levels of motivation but these are matched by even higher levels of anxiety.
Its time to settle down Continue reading
We are privileged to have a beach house at idilyc Second Valley just 90kms from the centre of Adelaide. Its a stunning location with a gorgeous beach.
From our beach house balcony you can see the city. Infact when they used to play night games of AFL at AAMI Stadium you could see the lights, yet try and get anything to it from Adelaide and you would think you were in some remote location on the other side of the world.
You can see the city from here!
Recently we tried to have a bench top delivered and the quote was roughly double the cost of having the same item delivered to Bejing!
There is a point to this…
On Friday I headed out to watch the 3rd stage of the Tour Down Under. Continue reading
Just 10 days to go, one more assignment and oral presentation and I will have completed my academic year. So far it’s been 17000 of 20000 words submitted. The last 3000 words are written but are definitely not yet in a form ready for submission. Whilst I continue to enjoy my study, I have to say just now it’s feeling a little like a grind to the line. This was never more evident than last week sitting with my supervisor, who in the most encouraging fashion possible suggested, I might have missed the point!
After I reflected on his comments I had no doubt he was correct, however for someone who has a responsible position and reviews other’s work everyday that was a real wake up call. A few days later and a re-read of key texts and journal articles I am hoping I am on point ahead of one final submission of a draft and final submission by the end of the week.
Included in all of this process is the final step of reading and re-reading including checking the referencing. Even with EndNote getting the referencing right is no small task!
After that it will be preparation for my oral presentation of my literature review and the academic year will be done. Time for some R&R and more time at the Beach!
As usual my day starts with breakfast taking in some music videos, but this week is different. It’s after Australia Day, schools back (not that this matters to us, our children are well past that) and everyone is back from the beach. The morning traffic indicates the business year has reached its true starting point.
It’s hard for my overseas colleagues to understand, but from mid December until after Australia Day it’s holidays.
The country really does stop. Business shuts with at best skeleton staff on, Restaurants take a few weeks off . Even emails drys up! It’s a time for the beach, watching the cricket, catching up with friends, that’s what this time is all about.
Across these few weeks it’s easier to find business colleagues at Victor Harbour ( that’s why we prefer Second Valley) our major beach holiday town than it is in Adelaide.
Whilst people tend to return to work after New Year they will take a day off here or there, leave early ( why not its hot and the beach or pool is calling!)) so achieving much beyond that which was on board before Christmas is often difficult.
That’s all different from today. No more excuses, time to get down to it and I’m looking forward to it.
Today’s stage of Australia’s major bike race was in my favourite part of South Australia. It was a glorious day as I set out for a ride to take in the atmosphere. It was also the stage where the public get to ride the stage, so rather than being a lone ride there were thousands of fellow cyclists on the road.
The stage started in the city and then worked its way down to the Southern Fleurieu with the highlight of the stage being the ride across the Myponga Dam Wall
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I rode to the hill Continue reading