Back home!

I'm back home! Where did the term go? I can't believe Christmas is in ten days time! If only I had those ten days off - I've brought all my work with me!

It's funny how familiar and strange it is to be home all at once. I guess cos I've only really been back for a day or so in the last 2.5 months that lots of things seem different. New furniture, ways of laying things out, routines in the house etc. Nothing too major but it's enough for it to feel different. At the same time, it's lovely to be back in my own bed and to have the wealth of food and general stuff that I have at home. And obviously to see my Mum and Dad, who are just the same, but lovely to chatter with.

Coming home makes me feel all holiday like, and also makes me feel like now's the time to unwind, when in fact it's not, I have lots of work to do this week, namely my DPhil research proposal. However, for some reason, coming home has made me super tired. Actually, that's a lie - I had a very hectic weekend with the Wolfson Ball and all kinds of general fun stuff, so that's probably why I'm tired. Also the house is really hot, which makes me sleepy! Thus today has mostly been admin and resting, but I'm trying to work now (with little success it seems!)

The Ball was brilliant, really bargainous but good fun! I had a dress drama and got in a strop but X was very good and patient and got me to go after all and then it turned out to be lots of fun. We had massages and tarot card readings and watched a really really amateur magician and had chocolate fountains and lots of drinks and enjoyed a swing band and also fun DJ, it was really good fun. And I finally broke through my little barrier with the help of some cherry drops, so I'm feeling good about that too ;)

So this week I need to get my work done before going house-sitting from the weekend, so best get back to focusing. Hope your Christmas shopping is going well and that things are winding down for you!

Monday 9th week - term's done!

I have been very naughty and let this blog go to pot. It's now Monday of 9th week - term ends in 8th week, woo, so no classes or lectures until Jan! However, I have loads to do over the break. Happily I've done my Stata assignment (the last one!) so that's one thing off the list. I have a critical essay for research design, which counts towards my final grade, and also a term essay for sociological analysis, which doesn't count but is good exam practice. On top of that I have to study for a stats test right at the start of next term, which counts for 50% of the stats course (the other 50% is made from our three stata assignments). I also need to sort out my DPhil application, and by sort out I mean actually do it. AND I have to get some more research done for my thesis work. So really, a very busy "holiday".

It's cool though because I really like the Christmas holidays and I'm trying to get lots of this done before taking some time off properly. I'm hoping to spend lots of time with X, it's our anniversary and also we might get to do some house-sitting over the break too. The hospital are trying to get my arthoscopy sorted out for December, which might well be cool to be fixed up a bit more, but then it wouldn't be awful not to have it since I'd like to do fun things over December rather than recover from an op.

What else? Been busy with social stuff and end of term stuff, things are livening up, so really I should get focused on getting this work out of the way. But this morning has been a bit of a write-off, so I reckon nap-time and then will try again.

Wow, my life is all about studying now. Well, not completely. I also have my kingdom outside my window, all my bird soldiers and peasants etc. They need attention too.