The other side...

After too many weeks of long, long days in front of the computer massaging the millions of thoughts in my head into greater clarity, I have finally made it to the other (and much sunnier) side of my first year PhD review. It has been an interesting exercise that has been painful and frustrating at times but also very rewarding in as much as I am now much clearer about the details of my project, and I have received some really constructive feedback during, and especially at the end of, the process. From now on you can look forward to much more exciting updates on my PhD with photos from my study sites and the adventures that my fieldwork may entail.

One thing in particular has kept me sane during the review period - a fabulous routine that I have picked up, which involves 3+ trips a week to Bondi beach where a run on the beach is followed by a swim in the sea and concluded with a large coffee and a newspaper in my favourite little café.

Not bad eh? Sydney's climate and geographical location really does have its advantages. With summer well and truly on its way, Sydney has upped its already fantastically eclectic selection of weekly events - the photos above are but a small selection of some of the many things I have been able to indulge in lately...

To recover from my review, I set off for the Budawangs in Morton National Park very early Saturday morning for a 3 day treat of bush walking and sleeping in caves. The views were to die for and I felt like a new person from the overdose of fresh air and eucalyptus scents when I returned to Sydney last night. The trip was a timely reminder of why I decided to embark on my PhD in Oz - this country really is stunningly beautiful : )