You know me, I love a challenge.
Over the years I’ve been blogging, I’ve considered learning the saxaphone, finding out how to cook rice properly and going to one of those women who hold coloured swatches up to your face and then let you know if you should wear ‘Summer’ or ‘Autumn’ shades.
None of which has happened, unsurprisingly.
So now The Teenager is making his own way in the world at University (apart from when he’s not, aka the three-month-summer-break-at-mum’s), I’ve got a few pockets of time on my hands. And what better way to fill them than with a PhD. Yup, I’m going for it, even though I’m also gearing up for a PIP tribunal, which is definitely the more terrifying prospect.
It’s quite probably the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever had, apart from deciding all by myself that I’m a ‘Winter’ shade, which makes me look like an eerie Celtic ghoul.
I’ve taken the first tentative steps, sending in a proposal. I found out there are now Postgraduate Loans, for the first time. Karma? When I blogged about it before, you guys were beyond encouraging and that in itself gives me courage.
I would take it over five years, part-time, as I still need to work. It could end in failure, and maybe I’ll walk away with an MPhil after a couple of years, but it’s still an achievement.
And therein lies the nub; I have a great job but no career – I can’t work my way up as the only person above me is Grumpy Boss. I’ve resigned myself to living out my days without a significant other, besides the cat (and I’m half-way to 90 in August, gah).
It’s not about feeling sorry for myself; I’m actually getting quite excited now, the more I look over my proposal (which includes writing a novel with MS firmly at its centre). I just need a focus, another routine besides work and lying on the sofa. Pinballing between the two is bringing me down.
I’m not the most accomplished academic writer in the world, but I’m a trier. The best thing about writing, as opposed to speaking (garbled, often), is that I can delete, delete, delete. Giving myself five years to write a novel means I can factor in the inevitable relapses, the brain fog and the days when I just can’t move.
So now I’m daydreaming a lot in work, during these long hot days when I tuck myself into the nearest shadow and lurk until I cool down. I see myself, pen in hand, fresh notebook page in front of me, jotting down Very Important Points.
If I ever went out in normal society (work doesn’t count, believe me), I would wear a beret and lots of beads. And green reading glasses.
I would look v. v. intelligent, but if anyone looked a bit closer, they’d probably see I was only googling ‘how to cook rice’.
Whoop whoop…good for you! You’re going to do it brilliantly in your own inimitable style. Good luck. ?xx
Thank you so much!! Fingers crossed, I will write the definitive MS novel (or something close to it!). X
Cough, saxophone, cough.
(From a fellow MSer who plays a big sax! If you were more local i would teach you 🙂 )
You play the saxaphone?! I’m so jealous 🙂 It’s still on my list … x
I play the saxOphone 😉
Keep it on the list for one day, looking forward to the novel x
I most definitely will! It’s always intrigued me. And everyone is invited to the book launch! X
Good to hear that and with the your humour too!! Great news and so positive for you. Brilliant x
Aw, thank you! Seriously, without all your backing and encouragement, I really wouldn’t have gone for it. X
Wow! Good luck! Can’t wait to read your novel! ?
Thank you! It will be a long work-in-progress 🙂 I’m really excited about the MS aspect of it, and I can’t wait to chart my progress (hopefully not a lack of …) x
Good luck! Just having the will to start is great, then see how it goes! (by the way – I cup rice 2 cups water, lid on, boil ’til water’s gone & holes appear in rice – keep an eye on it)
Thank you! I tried that but burnt the pan, lol. It just seems fated that I will never do rice properly. Mind you, I’m now having a break from carbs! X
I am so pleased that you are embarking on a doctorate. I wish you the very best of success. You really are an ambassador.I am sure there will be plenty of ideas coming from the MS family!for the novel.In the meantime keep up the writing and realise how helpful your blog is.Boil in the bag rice doesn’t burn!
Blessings
Nanette
Thanks Nanette! I’ll definitely be asking for MS help with the novel 🙂 X