Raine and I went down to Oxford at the start of this week. I was meeting with Peter Clarke, someone I'd love to be my PhD supervisor. He was the most wonderful man, if I invented a supervisor he wouldn't be as perfect. We chatted for over two hours, he was so open, and gave me so many things to think about. We met at Wolfson College (the picture's of its main area, and its punt harbour), where he's a fellow, and where I want to apply. It was a beautiful place, it's a Graduate only college, so there should be plenty of like minded people. Although it's a little out of the city, it's within easy walking/cycling distance.
I'm going to apply to Oxford in September, but I have to keep my options open - I can't do anything unless I can get funding, and the competition at Oxford might make it impossible. I've found someone at Manchester University who I'm going to talk to, he seems to supervise the area I want to work in (Islam and politics in Britain). Manchester, at the moment is my second choice. Basically we want to get out of Lancaster, it's just too small for us, and petrol prices (£6 a gallon) mean we rarely get to leave. Realistically though Lancaster might end up being the home of my PhD, if I establish links with a local Islamic community during my MA research it will be hard to justify a move down south. Also, the department, and my current supervisor, are currently undertaking a Home Office funded research project in an overlapping area.
Yesterday we booked the wedding, and ordered the rings. The wedding will be at 2.30 on September 4th (Raine's birthday). The rings are made by Gina Frost, and they're made of bands of different coloured metals - red gold, yellow gold, titanium. They're very us, and we're excited about getting them - they should be ready in 3 - 4 weeks. We're currently trying to organise the reception, and the honeymoon. It looks increasingly like we'll be going to Newquay for the honeymoon - we don't have enough cash to go further afield. I think we're going to spend the week learning to surf. Hopefully at Christmas I'll have my grant and we'll be able to go abroad. As for the reception, we're really struggling to find somewhere - everything aimed specifically at weddings is extortionately priced. It's not something we want to spend a lot of money on. Ideally we'll hire part of a restaurant, and people will pay for their own meal.
I'm getting fit at the moment. I've joined the uni gym this week, I'm going swimming several times a week. I'm also using the exercise bike everyday, building up my distance and time. I'm going to be trim Bean by the autumn.
1 comment:
It will be Oxford's loss if they can't find a way to take you on at Wolfson.... I remain optimistic at this point. As for its location {Wolfson}, it is much better placed outside the tourist firing line than those in town; it has access to the Cherwell and the short jaunt into town is only 12 minutes by foot unless one is very unfit.... ;-p
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