July and August 2022 round-up

I can hardly believe that this time last year we were preoccupied with face masks, hand sanitising, and Covid-19 tests. This summer, Covid-19 seemed very much a distant memory. Instead, we bemoaned the cost of living and alternated between enjoying and cursing the heatwave. At a more personal level, in July and August we celebrated child 2’s … Continue reading July and August 2022 round-up

June 2022 round-up

June was good. People and things were dully celebrated, as I had hoped for last month. That included child 1’s 21st birthday and conclusion of her undergraduate studies at Oxford University; Portugal day; and my friend Sarah Quinton’s promotion to Professor and Associate Dean Research & Knowledge Exchange (no photos because we were so engrossed … Continue reading June 2022 round-up

May 2022 round-up

May was not bad. Not bad at all. It was good, even. There were some logistical challenges, on the home front. And there was marking. But, other than that, it was a great month. I even received a very exciting “invitation”, whose details I will share as soon as I can. This was another month of pushing … Continue reading May 2022 round-up

April 2022 round-up

This month was rich in time with family and friends, as well as some great time on my own to read, be a tourist, go to a concert, do some gardening… I can’t complain. On the work front, I pushed through with various bits and pieces. Though, I didn’t manage to wrap up any major … Continue reading April 2022 round-up

March 2022 round-up

March was supposed to be the month I settled into my study leave. But, then, a staffing emergency meant that I had to cover for a colleague, and I ended up teaching a number of lectures and workshops. Never a dull moment, right?! At least, the weather was lovely for part of the month, and … Continue reading March 2022 round-up

February 2022 round-up

Some days get imprinted in your mind such that, many years later, you can recall, exactly, the moment when you realised that the world after that moment would bear very little resemblance to the one before it. It was like that with the attack on the Twin Towers on 9/11; the attack on the Tube … Continue reading February 2022 round-up

January 2022 round-up

On a personal level, January was really trying. If I tell you that child 2 breaking his wrist was the least stressful part of January, you can get an idea. Anyway, I will spare you the details, and focus on the professional side, instead. On the writing front, I worked on major revisions to a … Continue reading January 2022 round-up

December 2021 round-up

I know from experience and logical reasoning that December is a tricky month because of the "busyness" of the end of term, the school holidays, the festivities, and, of course, the many little things that life always has a way of throwing at you. This time, child 2 fractured a finger which meant spending 4 … Continue reading December 2021 round-up

November 2021 round-up

This month was significantly better than the last one. It was my busiest month, as far as teaching is concerned, and there were lots of things going on in the home front. However, I did not feel like the month was slipping through my fingers, as I had felt in October, and I managed to tick … Continue reading November 2021 round-up

October 2021 round-up

October was not a good month, overall. Productivity was low, I burned some bridges, and there was a bereavement in my other half’s side of the family. I even thought about not writing a round-up post this month. But, in the spirit of authenticity that I try to bring to this blog, here is a … Continue reading October 2021 round-up