Finally getting the 'wfh' experience since starting my PhD 4 weeks ago. It's nice to sleep in everyday, have a slow breakfast and make a cup of tea, but I do miss being outside. Thankful that I have a good street and water view outside our windows, but I do miss the fresh air. Me being me, I don't really step outside ever, since I'm lazy. Slowly getting into a routine, simultaneously stressed about not enough time to do things whilst also procrastinating on social media...I really do hope I can get a paper out within the year, which means sacrificing time off including a honeymoon, but oh wells, I just need to keep reminding myself of the sacrifices this PhD will come with (not to mention now earning peanuts at work, less than when I was an undergrad...) I can't be bothered uploading photos here, most would have been on my insta stories (for those that follow me). I still can't believe I did my whole undergrad degree on a 13 inch then 12 inch MacBook. Now I have a beautiful iMac 21.5 inch plus my iPad and slowly understanding why all my patients have 2-3 screens when working...
Lots have happened even in the past 4 weeks. Mum's birthday was super simple, with pretty pink cakes. Blair's birthday was just Uber Eats and slices of cheesecake from the local shops (can't afford to buy a whole cake now, plus we won't finish a whole cake anyway). It was Blair's 'crisis week' so couldn't really celebrate. Thankful that he isn't really big on celebrations.
Labour day went for a hike with the G8s, so glad to see everyone. Went to West Head Lookout, and a hike around there, ironically opposite Barrenjoey Lighthouse where I fainted walking up the stairs, and fainted again trekking up a hill...Why am I so weak...stairs + heat + me do not go well together. Previously back in high school when I exerted myself super hard during swimming training, I would black out (happened like once), now it's happened twice this year. So unfit...but the hot weather didn't really help. I did stop myself this time before my senses were really blacked out at Barrenjoey though. So thankful for G8s carrying me through the hike. Legs were so sore for a few days after. Again I should get out of the house more, but then I ceebs. Now I don't really have days off, since PhD means you're always working.
Celebrated 3 years recently with Blair, went back to Claire's Kitchen for French food. Fancy food but not fine dining (I don't think I can afford that lol), and also had a $50 Dimmi/The Fork voucher to use (Last time I used it was the same place almost 3 years ago lol).
The Van Gough Alive exhibition was nice, but not worth the price. I would much rather pay the same amount to see it irl (which I have been lucky enough to in Amsterdam and some other paintings in NYC). It's still nice to go since we can't really travel anyways, so good night out.
You'd think writing a blog for all these years would making academic writing easier, but it's so hard to be motivated to read and write high level thinking stuff.
Sort of not looking forward trekking back to uni next week, but I guess it would make it seem more real. Haven't seen my supervisors irl, since the interviews and all the meetings have been over Zoom/Teams...Really need to find that motivation to put more hours into my PhD rather than lounging around the house all day...
