Road trip - part 2

0.5 degrees in the morning....temperature I am not used to. Although it was freezing cold we got out of the car and took some snapshots of Stonehendge. This is a site world heritage listed and really quite disappointing because you can't get very close to it at all. This site was fenced off because the vibrations of people walking too close to it may cause damage/instability to the structures of these stones.
Our next stop was the city of Bath, this whole city is world heritage listed...and we could see why. It was absolutely beautfiul! Every part of the city was made of sandstone and just the atmosphere of the city was gorgeous. The city is called Bath as it is most well-known for the Roman Baths that are still retained since the rule of the Roman empire in this city. We decided not to go into the baths as it was way too expensive, Boris oppa will go next time with his mum. I think its worth it when you are a certain age!
Next stop was beautiful beautiful Oxford Unversity. The university I dreamed of studying at one point in my lifetime....we all dreamed of it I think? Thanks to the gorgeous little lady at our bed and breakfast we got free tickets on the Oxford sight-seeing double-decker bus. We sat upstairs, outside in the freezing cold and enjoyed the beautiful scenery whilst our legs and face went numb. On this tour we learnt the very very famous graduates of Oxford: CS Lewis, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, 91 Nobel Prize winners. The prestige of this place was amazing...and I salute Oxford and its graduates. Boris oppa kept raving on about how he wanted to study at Oxford....we can all dream a little, can't we??

Thanks to hubby our driver who was hungover on Sunday from too much wine and medication, and Boris oppa our GPS navigator we had a wonderful and safe trip^^

Friends

Last week we had the pleasure of seeing Jae in London. He was a little hungover from his rugby world cup weekend so he was a little groggy but still very hyped up about being in Europe. We went to our local asian restaurant and then had coffee at good old Starbucks....no GJs here unfortunately, Londong is just full of Starbucks everywhere you go. Jae told us of the exciting atmosphere of the rugby match, although Australia lost he said it was awesome. I am still being called "Aussie loser" here at work. YB oppa brought his Wallabies scarf all the way from London but could not victoriously wear it around town. I am secretly hoping England lose, everyone is driving me mad with their smugness. Anyways it was lovely seeing Jae and chatting about the English versus the Aussies. Aussies win no doubt about it....so much more laid back, easy-going...the English are kinda uptight people in general. But I have made some friends who know how to have a laugh and makes my time here really worthwhile.

I introduce you to Kate (redhead - lab manager), Florian (the only male in the lab, besides Prof - postdoctoral scientist) and Tam (my co-supervisor - postdoctoral scientist). We often go out for lunch when the sun is out....which is a rare occassion. We had lunch and wine at a local meditteranean restaurant called Balfour, a 2 course meal for 7 pounds, not too bad for London standards.
I am going to so miss these friends I have made here at the Queens Square Brain Bank. I wish I could bring them all back to OZ and show off my country to them:)

I am going home

A decision has been made....I am going back to OZ.

I spoke to Glenda on the phone for about an hour this morning. She advised that I come back home and get the thesis done and submitted. That was her advice...I just needed her bit of input as I had already half made up my mind after lots of advice and prayer from people. The thought of writing my thesis away from Glenda was a little frightening...although she is a pressure cooker she is a really good supervisor. Her advice just reassurred me that I was making the right decision.
I broke the news to Prof and he really wasn't that suprised...thank goodness. The upside of it all is that he did offer me a post-doctoral position that I could take up next year June on a 2 year contract.
So more prayer and more decisions to make.....In the mean time I want to successfully finish this project and just write this damn thesis of mine and submit. Decisions can come later....I am going home:)

Sticky situation

This morning I was called into Prof's office. I thought oh no what have I done?

Prof: I have been thinking about your project and it is turning out to be very exciting, is it not? We have been impressed with your work and would like you to stay another 6 months.

Me: (Silence...with mouth wide open)

Me: (More silence....) That is very kind of you Prof but I think Glenda will kill me. She wants me back in time to submit my thesis in June, plus my scholarship fund will run out soon.

Prof: That's ok we will give you a salary for 6 months and extend your visa for you. You can write your thesis here, and I will even help you with corrections if you wish.

Me: (still stunned and speechless). Thank you for the offer I feel very privileged but I will need to talk to Glenda and my husband.

Prof: Email Glenda and tell her we are not trying to steal you but we just want to take advantage of this project and would love for you to be a part of it. If you can't stay don't worry, don't feel like I am blackmailing you ok? But please think about it.

Dilemma is what should I do about this situation? I am homesick but at the same time to be offered another 6 months with a salary in such a prestigious lab is hard to come by, a very good opportunity for me. Hubby's work want to keep him on for longer too so it wouldn't be a problem. I don't know what to do,
I am also waiting for Glenda to respond to my email and see what she thinks. Chris if you read this don't tell mum yet ok? I think I will wait to hear what Glenda has to say.
I need prayer and advice.....