Here it comes!

I am surprised by my sense of anxiety over the coming new year. My normal outlook is one of anticipation. Maybe I have had too much caffeine this morning but when I think about all of the things I have to accomplish in 2009 - well my plate is full and stuff is threatening to fall off into my lap.

I am of to Hawaii - which is wonderful though I am presenting a paper at an international conference so it is not all fun and games. I am still waiting to hear back from my supervisor about the first draft of my formal proposal and I am meeting with him the day after I get back from Honolulu. I expect lots of work there. The actual day I return I have to start teaching a course on academic writing so that means I have to prepare a presentation for that.

Then of course I am waiting to hear if my fellowship application has even been approved by the university. All that means is that it will be sent to Ottawa where a group of faceless academics will decide if I get funding that will allow me to work on my dissertation without also having to hold down a fulltime job.

Then of course before I even get to doing my research I have to finish the proposal I mentioned. That just means more work because after that I have to study my ass off so that I can write and pass my candidacy exams so that I can begin my research. Somewhere along the way I have to get approval for my work from the Ethics committee.

I am not whining! Seriously! Well, maybe just a little. Can someone please remind me why I volunteered for this?

Frozen skies and hoser hot tubs...

The weather finally crept upwards to -16 celsius yesterday. I took advantage of the balmy temps to get outside for a little photo shoot. The skies up here in Peace River country are more than beautiful.

The sun rises late and then it simply slides across the horizon too cold to melt the clouds.

But there are ways to get warm even at -22 c. Here's to the Smiths and their wonderful hospitality, hot tub and cold beer.