As many of you know, I am currently labelled as an MPhil student, who hopes to upgrade to PhD candadicy in May. What does this mean? Any good American who doesn't have this weird degree potential affixed to their name would ask? Well this means that I have a MSc degree, so I CAN be a PhD student, but in order to make sure that only quality students are passed through to candadicy, you have a year to hone your proposal, get it funded, and get all your contacts for the field. So, technically, I AM a PhD candidate, but I cannot call myself one until I pass my oral upgrade exam, on my topic, and write a dissertation proposal. If one fails this step ( and people do), you don't walk away empty-handed, but with another Master's degree. I don't know about anyone else out there, but this doesn't make me feel a whole lot better. I mean, I already HAVE a master's, so...wish me luck on passing. My date is set for May 20th, and I'm freaking out (as one does...) I am currently in the process of completely chucking out the paper I had written, to start all over again...so, very nervous. But when I successfully pass (fingers crossed) I will have business cards printed, and a much awaited (and needed) party thrown (by me of course). Then I will start the two-three year process of fieldwork, and writing up. Anyway, just thought I'd put that out there, as I just found out about my exam date (and it's looming...)
On the other hand, Will started his new job this week in Brighton, he is a process engineer in an environmental consulting firm for a water utility. We're not exactly sure what he is going to be doing yet, but we do know he is a project manager (so that'll make two of us!). Since it is only week one, we'll know more as the position progresses. On another note, his commute total time is currently at 5 1/2 hours, 2 hours 15 minutes each way. Which, sucks. On the plus side, the bus and the train end where he needs to get off, so he can fall asleep and not have to worry to much (on the way there, on the way back it's a different story...) we are hoping to move to south london when we either a) get out of our flat (yeah right) or b) our tenancy ends (which is at the end of august). That will cut his commute time down by a total of 2 hours which is doable, and I would argue relatively standard from an American point of view (or at least what we've both had to do in the past).
On to Nemo, who has decided that since Will gets up at 5:30 in the morning, he should eat then. Except, he doesn't expect Will to feed him, but me. So when Will leaves at around 6, Nemo runs around the flat like a crazy person (cat), and screams at the top of his lungs (which is actually REALLY loud). He then proceeds to jump on the bed and run up and down me until I wake up, which has now gone from 7:30, to 6. This must be great for your work, I hear some people ask. No. I am NOT a morning person, even with two espressos. This makes me mad at Nemo, and then want to read my novel, which has nothing to do with Anthropology, or my upcoming proposal whatsoever. So...Nemo and I are in a fight, although he apparently doesn't know it.
Finally, tonight is the night that Will and I will be trying a new local Indian restaurant called Nutmeg. This is a big day. We were sorely disappointed that our favorite, the Standard Indian closed its doors, and have been searching, to no avail, for a replacement. Nutmeg looks promising, with a good solid menu, and friendly staff. I will discuss in my next blog, (which has gone from once a week, to once a month...sorry, we have no internet at home).
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