Revision
by phill
As the year
draws to a close, especially a year such as this one, I feel that it is a good idea to have a look back and etch milestones to memory in anticipation and preparation for the following three-hundred and sixty five days.
2011 started in the worst way imaginable: standing and staring incredulous at the message informing me of a good friend’s suicide. The blow felt within the group of friends was immense. Its initial, unimaginable impact blossoming into bruises that I am sure still yellow the minds of all involved. I think I am as yet unable to believe that he is truly gone, despite having seen him laying at rest within the coffin. It’s worth repeating that if you ever feel like you need someone to talk to—yes, you, whomever you are—I’m right here, and I’ll spend as long as it takes to help you out. Suicide is such an ugly thing.
It took a while after that to get back on track with my studies. My scholarship had run out three months prior, and so I was relying on a rapidly dwindling savings account to keep myself fed and watered (and not much else). Being poor and under pressure to finish a thesis isn’t the best place to find yourself in. Eventually my money ran well and truly out, and I was forced to find temporary gainful employment, eventually securing a full-time position at Synergy to help administrate their solar energy scheme. I spent somewhere in the region of six weeks working full-time and driving straight from work to university to tap away at revising my thesis manuscript. It worked though, and I submitted my thesis to the examination committee on June 9th: a mere four years and three months after starting.
I continued working at Synergy for around three months after that to save some money up, paying back the cash that had been lent to me by Louise and my Mum. It’s a good thing that I’m a bloody good saver, because I applied for and received a place interning at COSMOS magazine for five weeks. And five weeks spent in Sydney’s CBD doesn’t come cheap, even at a YHA. The time I spent at the magazine was really great, and I learned a great deal about the balance between information and communication with regards to science and journalism. It’s definitely something that I can see myself continuing, and thanks to the lovely, encouraging editorial staff (hi Heather and Becky!) I have been commissioned to write a couple more articles at their online news site since coming back to Perth. I ended up leaving the internship a week early in order to visit my Uncle, who has been a patron throughout my Ph.D. studies, and see their new farm and really have a good relaxing time there and at Mark and Monique’s place before heading back home.
Once I got home, Louise and I had a week to move the last of our stuff out of our old house before jetting off to Thailand. Thailand was just an amazing experience, full of friendly people, stunning landscapes, and amazing activities. I’ve already dedicated something in the region of 5,000 words to the place in two previous posts so I won’t go on any longer about it. Suffice to say that it was another incredibly positive experience.
Which brings us to around about now. The last month or so hasn’t been a particularly great one for me, despite the festive season or perhaps because of it. I’m pretty much broke again, and the job market is rather barren at the moment. Staying at Louise’s folks place has made me feel like a bit of a burden (through no fault of theirs, they’ve been really supportive as well) and asking for help isn’t something I do without some degree of anguish. As a result, I’ve been pretty down about myself and my future, but Louise has been amazing as usual in a million little ways and a couple of big ones (e.g. I’m typing this in the study which she cleaned up and organised for me to use as a job hunting power-room).
So for me the new year can’t come quick enough. It represents a move away from the sedentary lifestyle I’ve been stuck in for the last three years or so, an opportunity to rediscover my enthusiasm for…well, for life in general. Making time rather than marking it. There are hurdles to get over in the short term, but I think 2012 will end up being a fairly drastic change in the way that Louise and I live our lives, and I can’t wait to arrive in that space.
Happy New Year everyone.
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Comments
Sometimes you hit the bar, sometimes the bar hits you. Sounds like you had equal parts triumph and anguish this year. 2012 promises the end of the world in March, so any disappointments will be short lived.
Good luck in your job hunting. Let me know if you need any tactics.
And good luck writing in 2012!