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What a day

February 21st, 2012 | Posted by admin in deep thoughts | exercise | fitness | food | Glasgow | health | Scotland | shopping | spinning | stress | UK | walk | workout - (3 Comments)

I am sure all of you had normal mornings. I am sure none of you had to jump out a WINDOW to get out of your living accommodation. I did. See, my key doesn’t work well and I have a hard time unlocking it from the inside. I tried and kicked at it and swore for a good 20 minutes before I gave up, climbed up on to the window sill, and jumped. I then went in the front of the building and unlocked the door easily from the outside. Seriously, this is my life.

When I got to the office, I found it open and some random guy at my computer. He didn’t know it was my desk- granted I haven’t really personalized it….

I then proceeded to leave my umbrella at the coffee shop (I later retrieved it). And then I managed to snap off the wrappy bit of the umbrella and now it is closed by a hair elastic.

My gym workout was less than stellar. I didn’t even want to BE there, but I did 10 on the spin bike (I need a spin cushion seat!) and 10 on the elliptical, and then a bit of weights, and then I walked home via Tesco- all in all the workout was 1.5 hours and burned 560 calories. I counted the walk home as part of it, it being partially uphill and me carrying a ton of crap in my backpack.

Now, today being pancake Tuesday I decided to make pancakes. I should have realized that given the fact I can’t cook at all (other than pasta and simple things) that even a pre-made pancake mix would be a disaster. Which it was. The first one had powder in it, and the second was burned and runny. Steph, come back! I then tried to make tea (with tea leaves) and managed to mess that up as well. So I am very glad I had a backup dinner plan (pasta, faux mince and roasted veggies) which is almost done. (Jen, help! I need a big canister of parmesan, the ones here are so tiny!!!)

The rest of the night’s plan is to watch last night’s House, and perhaps more Sherlock. (Of course I will watch more Sherlock, I can’t help myself! I am such a Cumberbitch!) I also want to get through some more of the Cyber bullying book I am reading that is due in a few days.

Tomorrow I need to run errands, get my ashes, and read more.

I also need to figure out what I am giving up for Lent. I was thinking about shopping but I mean, really. Then I thought about giving up swearing, and I was like yeah, that isn’t frigging happening. Last year I gave up diet Coke. I should give up eating brownies at the library. Hrm.

If so inclined, what are you giving up for Lent?

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Update on all the things

January 25th, 2012 | Posted by cindy in exercise | Glasgow | grad school | health | life | running | Scotland | shopping | UK | update - (1 Comments)

Flat: We have put the deposit down on the flat, and hopefully should be moving 1st February if not sooner, which is what I wish. My back is not a big fan of the crappy mattress at the hostel.

Illness: I guess I am back to about 95%. My throat hurts sometimes when I wake up but I think that has to do with the ridic heat/dryness at said hostel.

Working out: Well, suffice to say I haven’t done anything other than walking about since the 10K. Now that I don’t feel like utter crap, I plan to either start running again (weather permitting) or hitting the gym. While I am still not within walking distance of uni, I have a 5 day pass to a gym close to the hostel I will be using ASAP.

Uni: I met with my professor. I have to rework my proposal and whatnot and we are meeting again next week. Unfortunately I cannot locate my proposal AT ALL. I don’t even have a hard copy; I looked through all the paperwork I had here. Unless it is hidden away somewhere and I have no idea where that would be, I am kind of screwed. I can rewrite it, but I preferred not to reinvent the wheel and just wanted to edit the old one. So I have started over. I have 71 words written. Great start, right?

Still looking into getting a new computer. My old Dell laptop is slow and the cable doesn’t stay plugged in. I will get one with my office, but it won’t be “mine,” nor will it be a laptop. Also I don’t know when space will be allocated for me.

Fandom: Still a Cumberbitch. I can’t help it. I clearly need help, stat.

And I am off to get some errands done.

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In Glasgow!

January 12th, 2012 | Posted by cindy in exercise | Glasgow | grad school | life | money woes | running | Scotland | travel | UK | winter - (0 Comments)

I’m in Glasgow! Horray!

Ok I have been here for a week, and I have been pretty busy looking for flats, trying to get things for school set up, going to Boots and Tesco, and having some sort of weird vertigo thing for the past 2 days, which hasn’t helped matters. It has been rather nice; sunny and cold which works fine for me. I need to get a picture of the sunrise or sunset over the River Clyde. Being on the 8th floor gives us great views, but the windows are dirty which is why I haven’t taken any as of yet. I’ve done a fair amount of walking, but I haven’t run since the 10K. Eep! I do have a pass for 5 free days at LA Fitness in Glasgow, so as soon as this dizziness thing sorts it self out, I can get my running on! {Or at the very least run along the river while it’s nice and sunny!}

So far I am waiting on my loans, so we can get a flat, and I can get some more clothing! I didn’t bring a lot of my stuff and I would like to get some basics of long sleeved tops and a pair of jeans and some wellies before I get too caught up in school.

I’ve been reading a lot as well, as I am not sure how much time I will have for it. If anyone has any recommendations about schooling and education in the UK, I would love to read them. Most of my knowledge is fiction based from Waterloo Road and an old copy of Scottish Education I had rattling around the old flat. I’d like something a bit more contemporary and not too dry. {I’m not asking much!}

I hope everyone is having a great week!

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Christmas miracle {my big surprise announcement!}

December 2nd, 2011 | Posted by cindy in deep thoughts | Glasgow | grad school | Scotland | travel | UK - (15 Comments)

You know the song “Lose Yourself” by Eminem? I’m sure you do. Anyways, there is a line in it that goes “You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime.” Ok it’s more than one line, humor me. For the longest time I thought that was true, that you only had one shot at getting what you wanted. Not 2, not 3. Just one. I’ve now been proved wrong.

I’m getting that second chance.

I’ve been hinting for a bit now, that something was happening. I’m sure many of you have an idea about what I am going to say.

I’m going back to Scotland! I’m going to get a second chance to get my PhD.

Now some of you may be thrilled for me. Some of you may be concerned or disappointed. Some of you may be wondering why the heck I’m doing this. Just know this. I want this. I want this a lot. It means a lot to me to be able to do this and do it right this time, since I know what I am getting into. There won’t be the culture shock or confusion about where to go and how to get there, because I already know.

This was not a decision that was made lightly. There were lots of talks and arguments and hopes that went into this decision. I am VERY lucky that I was able to make this work. And the reason for the secrecy was because I didn’t want to say anything until I was 100% sure. Today I can make that statement. The offer letter and acceptance have been in for some time. The loans are processing. I have my Visa appointment next week.

I hope you can all be happy for me.

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Thank you

July 21st, 2011 | Posted by cindy in dissertation | Glasgow | goals | grad school | Scotland | writing - (0 Comments)

Thank you all so much for the messages, Tweets, and Facebook wall posts.  I feel very loved and cherished right now.  Thank you all for having my back this year.  It has not been the easiest of years and it means a lot.  There is only one person I am waiting to hear back from, and then it will be perfect.  I hope.

Anyways…. the rest of today will be spent on this.

 

 

 

Hopefully there isn’t  much left to add to it, and I can submit it to be copied and bound next week!  And then I can relax.  I have a few Groupons calling my name.  :)

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Unconditional offer

July 20th, 2011 | Posted by cindy in anxiety | deep thoughts | dissertation | Glasgow | goals | grad school | life | money woes | Scotland | UK | update | writing - (4 Comments)

It has been all doom and gloom here lately, I know.  Believe me I know.  The stress has been killing me.  I’ve had to rely on the Valium, which I had been doing pretty good without doing.  But I am glad I still have it as a backup option.

 

And thank you all for your kind words and well wishes and thoughts.  It’s meant a lot.  <3

 

Today we met with the international student advisor to discuss the issues we have (mostly financial).  As I had even said at the outset of the meeting, I was fine if I didn’t get into the Ph.D. program.  I honestly didn’t think I would, given my not so great grades this year here.  Granted I’ve had a good reason.  It isn’t every year your mum passes away.  While I should’t use it as an excuse, well I just haven’t exactly put the effort in since.  I’ve been upset.

So we have some options financially- we can apply for a hardship loan and lucky for us they still have one meeting.  So I need to fill out an application and get my advisor to sign off and find some documents.  But this should keep us afloat for the next 2 months.

Because in September I will get my new batch of student loans.  For the Ph.D. program I got accepted into unconditionally.  :)  Yes I got in.  Unconditionally.  I can’t really believe it, actually.  So the next three years I will be researching bullying.  Not sure how I plan on doing that and working on the book I started, but I’m sure I can figure it out LOL!

So hopefully we will get the loan and I can spend August worrying about me and working on me.  Working out daily.  Looking for a part time job.  Finding a place to volunteer.  Perhaps finding a new flat, as we’ve just run out of room in our lovely, but small one bedroom flat.

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