It has been a while since my last post, I have been very busy since then.

It is now October and after the one day of summery weather last week, the new academic year in Newcastle has that familiar autumnal feel about it. It is strange to think that yet another batch of freshers have arrived. It’s now been nine years since I was a fresher and the newly refurbished student’s union looks very different to how it did in 2002. To be honest, I’m not entirely convinced by the postmodern decor – but that’s just me!

I have been busy working on my PhD, sorting out your theoretical framework takes time! But I have also struggled to really get into a rhythm as I have been living in three different places in Newcastle during September while I moved out and eventually move into my new place. I got a brief weekend away in France which was so lovely, but I returned to Newcastle to a begin my ‘writing up’ year.

In practice ‘writing up’ means redrafting the chapters I have, but also just getting things finalised. I’m up for that now, I feel motivated and am really looking forward to going to Lisbon next month for a conference.

But in order to earn my keep in order to write up anything I will be teaching. And this year it won’t just be seminars, I have to take 19 lectures as well as all the seminars, set the exam question and be available for office hours. I have the responsibility of module leading. I took my first class yesterday and took another one today. Already I have had to contend with my box of module guides going missing, an unbearably hot lecture theatre and workmen digging up the road right outside my lecture theatre. Oh well, these things are sent to try us! Basically I shall be expecting the unexpected from now on!

At least my teaching is done for the week now. Which means I had better find time for some PhD work before I experience Canadian Thanksgiving for the first time. I can’t wait for that, Christmas turkey a whole two months early!!! Brilliant.