Ok here goes. I’ve never written a blog before, or let’s be honest, even contemplated writing one. For one, it does seem a little weird (perhaps just very English) to write about yourself, hell I even struggled writing my personal statement for university because of this. Secondly, is it not a little bit odd to write about yourself, and then publish it so that complete strangers can see it? Thirdly, why do I feel the need to write this anyway. Perhaps I’d better just stop there and say hi first of all and explain why I am actually doing this.
Well, if any of you reading this know me (who knows, maybe you don’t!), I do love to talk. I can’t help it. It runs in my family, definitely in the genes. So, in order to bore people less with me just rabbiting on about this and that, I thought why not write a blog instead. That way, if people get bored, they can just switch off. Or go and watch something on youTube. Brilliant pastime. Although the whole “strangers reading your blog” idea is a bit strange to me, maybe in some small, unknown way it will amuse/entertain/bore to tears/interest someone, somewhere (I hope?). I also have a fairly hectic schedule for the next few months, so hopefully this will be as good a way as any to keep people updated with what I’m doing, without resorting to updating my facebook status every day (ahem. I might sometimes do that already anyway).
So I begin. A little bit of information about me, myself and I if you please. I’m a postgraduate Marine Biology student, currently around half way through my 3 years of studying for my PhD. I’m already trying to blank out the fact that I have to write a 60,000 word thesis over the next year or so. Maybe writing this will help to write the thesis. I doubt it, but it’s a nice thought.
I’m currently living in Bermuda for three months, as part of my PhD, collecting and analysing data. Bermuda? Isn’t that in the Carribbean? No. And, contrary to popular belief, it’s not always 30 degrees and sunny here. In fact, it hardly ever hits 30 degrees. Having said that, the water is a beautiful azure blue, the skies are (mostly) clear and sunny and there ARE palm trees. Temperature is normally around 25-28 degrees in the summer. Unfortunately there are also ants, cockroaches, and approximately 90% humidity most of the time. The other thing you may not know, is that it is horrifically expensive to live here. Fortunately I’m based at the research institute out here, which is cheaper (I use that word very, very loosely) to live than anywhere else on the island. Food is insanely expensive, and therefore spending any amount of time here on a UK PhD income is the best enforced diet you will ever go on (voluntarily or not).
Whilst I’m not being a scientist (or pretending to be one at any rate), I spend a lot of time doing sports. My mother thinks I’m addicted to exercise. I’m not. Maybe a little. I’ve rowed for my university for the last 6 years (having rowed as a junior for my local town club), and it has become a bit of a way of life. It also provides an instant excuse if you are just feeling too lazy to want to go out on the lash ...... “ guys I’m really sorry, but I can’t. I’ve got an early morning outing tomorrow”. On the flip side of that, if you have an early morning outing, you really can’t go out on the lash the night before (believe me, I’ve tried it. And it wasn’t pretty). Some people can, but I’m a big wimp when it comes to late nights and early mornings. Give me 10 hours of sleep any day!
I think I’ll leave this first entry here. Wouldn’t want you all to be falling asleep in front of your computers now would we? I’ll try and update this reasonably frequently, or just when I get bored / can’t find anyone to listen to my ramblings. Maybe I’ll even stick in a photo or two (another fantastic way to spend time, as I’m quickly learning!).
xx
