I have dreaded writting this blog entry. It has been almost 2 months since my dear friend, Brett, passed away. He received these blogs and the one I wrote while in Scotland. My heart breaks. Not a day has gone by where I have not thought about him. When I moved to Scotland he challenged me to make 6 friends, and I did. When I left to do my PhD I said I would make 6 new friends, just for him. And I have. We skyped as much as he was able to. I was blessed to be his friend and considered one of the family. He was like a father to me. It was an amazing 6 years. So here's to you Brett! Thank you for your friendship, love, support, and memories. I hope I am making your proud. <3
One of the 6 friends I have made this past year and half invited me to spend the day with him and his family. Brett would have been proud that I made a friend and that I went to spend the day with them. We spent a few hours catching up and talking about our projects. He is in the faculty that I originally was in. My friend made homemade soup with spices from his home country, Sudan. It was a wonderful soup, one of the best I have ever had. Then he and his family took me to the city center where he lives and showed me the seaside town of Bangor. It has alot of boats and a savers. :) It was a nice day out. The day before going to Bangor, I had lunch with 2 friends in the biomedical department. They took me to Portstewart, where we had lunch and milkshakes, and then walked along the cliff trail. It is a beautiful seaside town. Northern Ireland has alot of seaside towns. Brett would have liked it here.
Also, in these past 2 months, I had my first viva (presentation). I did one at the old program and there were about 30+ people, followed by 20+ questions. It was terrifying, but I passed. This time around, I spoke in front of 10 people and had 8 questions. I was told it was on the level of a second viva, which is good and I passed. I should do the second viva in June/July. I hate public speaking, but after the second one I will only have 2 more to go. Luckily the last one only has 3-6 people listening. This is where my introverted self shines... lol.
I have no problem talking once I get to know the people. When I first met Brett I sat on his sofa and hardly spoke unless I was asked questions... Of course within the 6 years, I talked his ears off about anything and everything. I just need to channel this kind of speaking into my vivas. :)
Work is going well. I finished the first full draft of my introduction, and I am about 3/4 of the way through two other chapters...just finalizing the results. So all in all I think it is going well. The two friends that I went to Portstewart just finished a long term study where I was asked to help dissect at the end. I was told I was an expert dissector. :) Brett and I talked about dissections alot, and he was never grossed out with it, or at least he never showed it. I think he would be proud of my dissecting reputation within this program.
So there you have it. Its been a crazy 2 months. And the next month is also crazy busy for work, but I think its going to be good.
I hope everyone is doing well.
Until next time...
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