Happy 2020

Hello all.  Sorry its been a very long time since I updated.  So much has happened, but I'll try to keep it brief.

To start, on Tuesday the 28th of January, I submitted my Thesis.  I met my goal of submitting it before I started demonstrating this year.  87, 000+ words later it is submitted and now being sent to my external and internal examiners.  It is crazy to think it is over now.  I am relieved, but sad it is coming to an end.  Three years over just like that.  I celebrated with breakfast  (Gluten free French Toast) and coffee at one of my favorite places.

I have drank so much coffee in this write up stage that I had enough free coffee to redeem after each chapter (I had 10 chapters).  I also became ill while the write up was in its final stages.  Tring to write while having strep and a chest infection was not fun.  But I got there in the end.

Now I am patiently waiting for my defense and graduation!  I am ready for my family to come to see me graduate as a PhD researcher.

Outside of thesis writing and submitting, I attended my first pub quiz.  Our team ended up in the middle, so not bad.  However, I did win 3 raffle prizes.  I have saved my bottle of Prosecco that I won for the day I submitted... Celebration for sure!  I spent Christmas and Boxing Day with my boyfriend's family.  It was a lot of fun.  They are such amazing people and I have been lucky to be welcomed with open arms.  I also cooked my first Thanksgiving meal and attended the lighting of the town Christmas lights.  The holidays were nice.  I also received a nice email from my supervisors on Christmas telling me how good my literature review was for my thesis.

The town put monsters on the buildings for Halloween.  It was fun to see.  Also in October, I went to Dunluce Castle which was really cool.

In July and August, I had some friends visit from the states.  It was great spending the day with them.

Also in July, I got to experience my first 12th.  I loved sitting in my flat on the window sill and watching the parade.    When I first moved over here I was told not to go out on the 12th and that it was a dangerous day.  It was anything but dangerous.  The bands were amazing and I went to my boyfriend's brother's house as the majority of his family and band members gathered.  I'm looking forwards to next years.  Mom will be here to experience it as well.

In June, I moved to a new flat.  My first flat and my first flat off campus!  Its been a nice place to live.  Its near one of my favorite food places and just across the bridge to town (probably about a 2-3 minute walk to the town center).  Its a nice one bedroom flat with my own laundry room.  I was beyond lucky enough to have the furniture (all but the bed and one wardrobe) donated to me.

Other than that, it's the same old news.  Walks along the seaside towns, school, demonstrating, and now job hunting.

Well that is it for now.  Hopefully, I will update more often.  :)

Miss you all.  <3