Well, that’s the teaching finished. All assignments handed in, and I’m going to pick one of them up from the GPS office tomorrow. These next two months are the two that count! Dissertation, dissertation, dissertation. You see, I’m trying to get a lot out the way now, so that I can watch all the Euro 2012 games later. Forward planning – vital for a masters degree!

I’ve had a long term problem with my knee, which has culminated in going in to have surgery on Wednesday week. The day before my birthday. The surgeon does not know whether he’ll have to create a micro fracture in my knee, and I will not know until after the operation. If he does, I’ll be on crutches for six weeks. If he doesn’t, then I’m back in business within a few days afterwards. My whole summer hinges on a few hours in a hospital bed.

(On a side note, looks like the brief spell of super hot weather is over. Just as Evolution festival comes to town, which I bought tickets for. Typical.)

Anyone who reads this, pardon my pessimism. Perhaps it’s because I’m sad the masters degree is practically over! I cannot reiterate how fast time flies. If you choose to do, or are doing, a masters degree, then love every moment of it. Because soon it’ll be over and you’ll be thrown out into the big wide world, and no one wants that. Luckily I have my PhD to keep me entertained for three more years! I’d recommend this masters degree to anyone, regardless of what they did at undergraduate level.

Favourite module? Tough one – toss up between GEO8016 and 8017. Lecture? Definitely learning about bass culture in Qualitative Methodology. Sounds odd, but that was truly fascinating. Memorable moment? Presenting my dissertation ideas at the 8015 conference. Good feedback, and I finally learned that I’m not as bad at doing presentations as I thought! Thanks Newcastle, and ESRC, for helping me enjoy a wonderful first year in my 1+3.