Location maps

I'm currently writing up the thesis introduction. Today I proudly made this location map of my study site. It'll get ripped apart by the supervisors shortly so here goes. Have a peak look before they do.

The outback adventure is closer...

We finally did it. Sol and I went to the camping show and put a deposit on a camper. We are now committed, all stations a go! Six months - family of five -  travelling around Oz promoting geodiversity, collecting rocks and distance educating our kids. Should be fun (famous last words). I found a  bargain doona cover at target today for $15. It's going to end up covered in red dust from the desert so there is no point buying anything fancy.  It's taken us years to decide on the perfect camping combination. We have gone from a motor home that tows a 4WD right down to a tent. Obviously finances destroyed any extravagent plans. We settled for a camper trailer with a queen sized bed and a kitchen. No room for the kids, they get to sleep in a tent most of the time. We tried to show the kids the latest set-up but they preferred to stay home and play minecraft. It's gonna be grand. One guy politely pointed out to me that I needed to get over the red dust issue, no point travelling if its going to bug me.  Easy solution, we take minimal stuff and replace it from time to time when the red dust has set. Ok yes- the PhD needs finishing before we go. Last week I wrote paragraph one of chapter one. That felt pretty good , until of course it comes back covered in red- red pen that is, not red dust.

Grant writing

Another great way to prevent finishing my PhD is by grant writing. This has kept me occupied the last couple of weeks. A few late nights (we're talking 1am finish with a 6am rise). Talk about a zombie brain walking with minimal intelligence the next day. I need my sleep. I'm so hoping to snag this one, it's a big project with ambitious goals. Fingers crossed!

For those not in academia, grant writing is a bit like bread and butter to us. Often the main funding comes from grants. We rely on handouts generally from the state or commonwealth government. It's a wonderful skill to share with life outside of uni. My proudest grants would be obtaining toys for playgroup or the BBQ and gardening tools for preschool. Who would guess the two worlds blend so well together. Canteen has helped my PhD due to the need to learn publisher in order to layout the school canteen menu. I've since used the software to create images for my publications. Sweet hey!

So no more excuses tomorrow. Back to writing chapter one (and baking banana bread for the school canteen).

None of these loaves were cooked by me. I'd be proud if they looked like these.
  

Guess where I'm going?

There is a wonderful positive side to studying a PhD. Ocassionally you go on an amazing holiday to attend a conference. Ignoring the nerves of public speaking to an international audience of extremely smart dudes the trip can be a real treat. So guess where I'm going? I've been too afraid to blog about it incase I jinxed it. Seems my manuscript is accepted. YEAH!

Schools Back

Hip hip hooray. School went back today. Alex our dog was so happy to chase the school bus again. The kids enjoyed a morning of handball and I'm loving my free quiet day. Holidays were fabulous. Even the conference paper with a one month turn around was OK. Just maybe another chapter done on this never ending PhD journey. Fingers crossed this year is IT. Ok so today I have paused to absorb the peace and quiet. Hope you all had a lovely break.

Gona

Wow where did 2011 go? Roll on 2012. My plan this year is to live in the now. A bit less planning and a bit more enjoying today, this moment, right now. Truthfully it's not possible with my mind. I'm always dreaming up new plans...

So 2012 I'm gona

•  Replant and weed the vege garden. I bought some seedlings this morning at the markets to get it rolling along.
• Finish this PhD (hmmm I'm sure this is the third year I'm saying that)
• Buy a camper trailer. Yes the plans keep rolling- Geodiversity project here we come
• Improve my fitness via enjoying the outdoors. Its time to orienteer, mountain bike ride, climb, run, geocache
• Bake bread (loving this one, we have been eating five seed bread, white bread, brioche, wholemeal bread)
• Enjoy my three little monkeys -school on Monday ; )

Here's hoping you all enjoy the now in 2012

Run down garden in need of love

Blue Wren tapping

Tap tap tap. Last week I though it was a possum trying to get into the roof. I hoped it wasn't rats in the cupboard. Turns out a cute,  little Blue Wren has decided that our window is actually a threatening male Blue Wren trying to take over his turf. So tap tap tap he keeps trying to fight his reflection in the window. He's impossible to photograph as he runs away every time I get close. I captured this photo below. Arrgh -  the Blue Wren - another pleasant distraction from writing my thesis.  

On My Mind: A Friday home photo initiative of Down To Earth. Rhonda’s blog is worth a follow, it’s full of great home and garden tips