A little retail therapy

Work is getting very scary. For the last three weeks, this photo represents my working day. Experiments are over, leaving just the boring writing part. My writing time is split between two tasks: Forming the discussion of my report, where I have to try to (a) make sense of what my findings mean and (b) find out where they belong in the current literature, and writing my talk. Up until two days ago, this was just a precautionary measure in case I got accepted by the conference, but now it's really happening. God help me.

I was mentally prepared for the tail end of my placement involving being chained to my desk writing for eight hours a day, but actually doing it still stings when I think about how casually I treated work a few months ago. Maybe in hindsight knuckling down when there was no time pressure would have lightened the load in these closing weeks. Said every student ever! On the other hand, I'm glad I enjoyed myself when I could, especially when the weather was nicer. Most importantly, whether or not the stress of these last two weeks destroy my soul, I'm going home in THIRTEEN DAYS! The stress that overcomes me when I think of how much I still have to do, combine with the fact that I was entering my penultimate weekend in Australia, justified a Saturday shopping trip.

What can I say? I went all out. My suitcase may now be a few kilos heavier, but my significantly lightened bank balance will probably counteract that. Nike Free 5.0, anyone? I also bought an iPad (finally!) because they're a lot cheaper here than in the UK and a few gifts for my loved ones. Other than that, let's say I'm now kitted out for winter with some luscious knitwear. Shame I'm going back to summer in England...

I was on cloud nine until my walk from Cottesloe station to our house was plagued by pretty much the heaviest downpour I've ever experienced. Like, tropical rain that standing under a tree can't alleviate. It's a good job I had new purchases to cheer me up, because I looked like a drowned rat with a serious case of the shivers when I finally splashed up to the front door. Worst timing ever! With practice talks this coming Thursday and comments on my entire report to attend to, thinking of the shiny new things waiting for me at home will be the only thing that keeps me sane this week.

Not a happy bunny.