- Scary magpies swooping children and parents at Gus' school
- Finding a cockroach the size of my thumb in the kitchen last week
- No longer needing flannel pyjamas, socks and a hot water bottle at night
Monday, September 20, 2010
Spring has sprung
Proof:
Thursday, September 9, 2010
And now back to what I had for supper tonight...
Tonight we went to the Sushi Train, where we stuffed our faces with heaps of sushi.
Plates of sushi travelling past your table on a conveyer belt = eating way too much sushi
We don't usually go out for supper on a weeknight, but I was particularly tired because last night I got back from a conference in Melbourne where I presented some of my study's results. Since I spend most of my time in front of a computer, having to talk to a large number of people about bloodborne viruses for three straight days was positively exhausting!
In spite of the whole having to talk to people thing, it feels pretty good to finally have some results to talk about after two long years of slogging. For this week's conference, I prepped by giving a presentation to the staff at a local needle exchange program the week before, which I was much more nervous about. As a researcher, it's always a little nervewracking to present your findings to a group of people who spend their lives providing services to the population you're studying. But it went well, there was plenty of good feedback and questions and no one seemed to think I was way off track in my interpretation of the results (and they would have definitely let me know about it if I was off track, they're a good reality check that way!).
To reward myself for a job well done on that presentation, I ducked into a Thomas Dux Grocer on my way home. Num, num, num. I brought a grocery list specifically so that I wouldn't be tempted to pick up any of their way overpriced, but way delicious specialty items...and yet I still ended up bringing home a package of Donna Hay chocolate chip cookie dough mix. Oh my lord, they were delish.
Gus, tucking into a still-hot Donna Hay cookie.
Plates of sushi travelling past your table on a conveyer belt = eating way too much sushi
We don't usually go out for supper on a weeknight, but I was particularly tired because last night I got back from a conference in Melbourne where I presented some of my study's results. Since I spend most of my time in front of a computer, having to talk to a large number of people about bloodborne viruses for three straight days was positively exhausting!
In spite of the whole having to talk to people thing, it feels pretty good to finally have some results to talk about after two long years of slogging. For this week's conference, I prepped by giving a presentation to the staff at a local needle exchange program the week before, which I was much more nervous about. As a researcher, it's always a little nervewracking to present your findings to a group of people who spend their lives providing services to the population you're studying. But it went well, there was plenty of good feedback and questions and no one seemed to think I was way off track in my interpretation of the results (and they would have definitely let me know about it if I was off track, they're a good reality check that way!).
To reward myself for a job well done on that presentation, I ducked into a Thomas Dux Grocer on my way home. Num, num, num. I brought a grocery list specifically so that I wouldn't be tempted to pick up any of their way overpriced, but way delicious specialty items...and yet I still ended up bringing home a package of Donna Hay chocolate chip cookie dough mix. Oh my lord, they were delish.
Gus, tucking into a still-hot Donna Hay cookie.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
A PhD In Australia, for real this time
Lately, I've been feeling a little guilty about the people who google things like "How many years does it take to do a PhD in Australia?" and then somehow find my page only to learn about what I'm making for supper or what Gus said yesterday.
So, here's some info for you who googled "Is a PhD in Australia worth it?" and landed on my page. Remember that this is all from my perspective, and someone in a different department or at a different university might have a completely different perspective. I'll store it under PhD so you can find it again, and may even add more questions and answers in the future.
Also important to keep in mind is that I'm an international student, which has a big impact on a number of aspects of my PhD.
Q: How many years does it take to do a PhD in Australia?
Dana: It takes a minimum of 3 years to complete a PhD, you can't submit your PhD anytime before three years. But based on what I've seen, it usually takes about 3.5 to 4.5 years as a full-time student to complete a PhD.
If you're an international student with a scholarship, like me, you'll be trying hard to meet the 3 year mark, because scholarships tend to be for 3 years only. Last time I checked, the tuition for international students was about $10,000 per term.
Q: What's involved in doing a PhD in Australia?
Dana: There are two options for doing a PhD in Australia, a PhD by research or a PhD by coursework. I know nothing about doing a PhD by coursework, you'll have to do your own research on that one.
I'm doing a PhD by research, which is exactly what it sounds like - one great big research project. The department or faculty you're in might have a few courses for you to take, if you so choose, but there are no mandatory courses. This means there are also no quals (as there would be in a Canadian or American PhD). You do have to go through annual reviews, at which you present your progress to-date and a review panel gives you a rating of either satisfactory, marginal or unsatisfactory. You want to be getting a satisfactory at every review, because this rating allows you to apply for funding for fun things like conference fees.
that's it for now. phew! guilt is lessened. more to come on this topic in future posts....maybe.
So, here's some info for you who googled "Is a PhD in Australia worth it?" and landed on my page. Remember that this is all from my perspective, and someone in a different department or at a different university might have a completely different perspective. I'll store it under PhD so you can find it again, and may even add more questions and answers in the future.
Also important to keep in mind is that I'm an international student, which has a big impact on a number of aspects of my PhD.
Q: How many years does it take to do a PhD in Australia?
Dana: It takes a minimum of 3 years to complete a PhD, you can't submit your PhD anytime before three years. But based on what I've seen, it usually takes about 3.5 to 4.5 years as a full-time student to complete a PhD.
If you're an international student with a scholarship, like me, you'll be trying hard to meet the 3 year mark, because scholarships tend to be for 3 years only. Last time I checked, the tuition for international students was about $10,000 per term.
Q: What's involved in doing a PhD in Australia?
Dana: There are two options for doing a PhD in Australia, a PhD by research or a PhD by coursework. I know nothing about doing a PhD by coursework, you'll have to do your own research on that one.
I'm doing a PhD by research, which is exactly what it sounds like - one great big research project. The department or faculty you're in might have a few courses for you to take, if you so choose, but there are no mandatory courses. This means there are also no quals (as there would be in a Canadian or American PhD). You do have to go through annual reviews, at which you present your progress to-date and a review panel gives you a rating of either satisfactory, marginal or unsatisfactory. You want to be getting a satisfactory at every review, because this rating allows you to apply for funding for fun things like conference fees.
that's it for now. phew! guilt is lessened. more to come on this topic in future posts....maybe.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Where's the naked people?
Last night, Gus had a sleepover at his bff's. With our free night, Vic and I decided that we needed to go see Bellini's La Somnambula at the Opera House, our first opera at the Opera House.
This poor opera had a lot to live up to. The last time Vic was at the Opera House, he was naked with 5,000 other naked people, posing for Spencer Tunick. And the last time time I saw an opera was in Berlin where I saw a modern interpretation of The Magic Flute, in which the flute was actually a penis and a large dildo was used as a prop (this is a true story! I swear I didn't include those words just to get more hits on this blog). It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen, and I laughed and applauded my way through all 3 hrs of it.
Needless to say, La Somnambula didn't quite live up to our previous opera-related experiences. Not only were there no naked people or sex toys, but the plot was bit puzzling to both of us. Why did Elvino prefer Amina, when Lisa was clearly the hottie of the two? And, why was Amina so stuck on Elvino, when he was so jealous and insecure? Ah well, the orchestra and the singing were fantastic and the experience did make for some great people-watching...let's just say I would have felt more at home if I had brought a fur stole and was 20-30 years older.
This poor opera had a lot to live up to. The last time Vic was at the Opera House, he was naked with 5,000 other naked people, posing for Spencer Tunick. And the last time time I saw an opera was in Berlin where I saw a modern interpretation of The Magic Flute, in which the flute was actually a penis and a large dildo was used as a prop (this is a true story! I swear I didn't include those words just to get more hits on this blog). It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen, and I laughed and applauded my way through all 3 hrs of it.
Needless to say, La Somnambula didn't quite live up to our previous opera-related experiences. Not only were there no naked people or sex toys, but the plot was bit puzzling to both of us. Why did Elvino prefer Amina, when Lisa was clearly the hottie of the two? And, why was Amina so stuck on Elvino, when he was so jealous and insecure? Ah well, the orchestra and the singing were fantastic and the experience did make for some great people-watching...let's just say I would have felt more at home if I had brought a fur stole and was 20-30 years older.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Last night...
...eating supper, joking around with Vic and Gus.
Vic: I'm such a jerk!
Gus: Finally, you said it!
Me: shaking with laughter but trying hard not to laugh out loud.
Gus turns to me: What are you vibrating about?
Vic: I'm such a jerk!
Gus: Finally, you said it!
Me: shaking with laughter but trying hard not to laugh out loud.
Gus turns to me: What are you vibrating about?
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Achtung!
Cairns was completely amazing. Despite the signs warning of murderous birds, crocodiles and the minimal but still present threat of "stingers" (jellyfish), it was beautiful. Of course the best part of the mini-vacay was snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef. We swam through canyons of colourful coral with the craziest looking fish, with sea turtles, sting rays and even a reef shark.
Right now, Vic is getting ready for a birthday party for one of his co-workers. I'm debating whether to go, cause his co-worker asked everyone to dress up in something starting with the letter J - Vic's going as a juggalo and Gus as a jujitsu kid and I've got nothing. Plus if I stay home I could get a little bit of thesis work done and not have to worry about doing it tomorrow, which is very appealing.
Here's a few pics from our weekends in Cairns for you to enjoy.
A sign at the head of a little hike we took in Cairns, letting people know that if they see a cassowary, they should back away slowly, and to never turn your back on a cassowary!
One of the many signs we saw warning not to swim in the water, Achtung!
Vic, taking a break from snorkelling to check out what's hiding in the coral in low tide
Gus and I, in front of some Cairns street art.
Kookaburra, sitting in an old gum tree. Oh Mr. Kookaburra, you're such a cliche!
Right now, Vic is getting ready for a birthday party for one of his co-workers. I'm debating whether to go, cause his co-worker asked everyone to dress up in something starting with the letter J - Vic's going as a juggalo and Gus as a jujitsu kid and I've got nothing. Plus if I stay home I could get a little bit of thesis work done and not have to worry about doing it tomorrow, which is very appealing.
Here's a few pics from our weekends in Cairns for you to enjoy.
A sign at the head of a little hike we took in Cairns, letting people know that if they see a cassowary, they should back away slowly, and to never turn your back on a cassowary!
One of the many signs we saw warning not to swim in the water, Achtung!
Vic, taking a break from snorkelling to check out what's hiding in the coral in low tide
Gus and I, in front of some Cairns street art.
Kookaburra, sitting in an old gum tree. Oh Mr. Kookaburra, you're such a cliche!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Finding Meemo
Hey peeps. Meemo is here for a visit! She got here about a week ago and was lucky enough to catch one of Gus' school recitals.
So, guess who was at Gus' school assembly to give one of the welcome speeches?? PETER GARRETT!! Rock star of my youth (and our local federal MP). Oh yeah baby, only in Australia does a rock star provide a welcome speech at a little public school. In true stalker fashion, I just downloaded the pictures from that day to find about 10 pics of Peter and 2 of Gus.
And the excitement doesn't end there. Tomorrow, we're off to Cairns to do some snorkelling of the Great Barrier Reef. Stay tuned for the pictures.
PETER GARRETT!!!
Meemo and Gus
So, guess who was at Gus' school assembly to give one of the welcome speeches?? PETER GARRETT!! Rock star of my youth (and our local federal MP). Oh yeah baby, only in Australia does a rock star provide a welcome speech at a little public school. In true stalker fashion, I just downloaded the pictures from that day to find about 10 pics of Peter and 2 of Gus.
And the excitement doesn't end there. Tomorrow, we're off to Cairns to do some snorkelling of the Great Barrier Reef. Stay tuned for the pictures.
PETER GARRETT!!!
Meemo and Gus
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