Embarking on a journey of PhD

When I finished my MSc many of my colleagues and friends asked when are you going to start you PhD? Well my immediate response was that I needed a rest after 5 years of part time student to complete my MSc as a distance learning student. Most of that time, I was also working full time with a very heavy workload. I just wanted a break from studying and chill out. During the fourth year of my degree I had a bad car crash. Luckily I did not have a lot of physical injuries but the car was a write off. This made me look at life differently and I decided to work part time. So the last year of my masters was actually pleasurable and easier to do. So you can see I was not in a great hurray to get into another intensive course of research right away.

Also I know that I needed to have a topic for my research that would hold my attention for at least 3 to 4 years. From experience I can see that I have managed to change what I do about every 3 years. I like a challenge and working on something new. To get the new course or learning and teaching strategy going, work out the problems and get it running smoothly is so very satisfying. Once it is running smoothly I find it becomes a routine and I get restless to find something new to sink my teeth into. So I started keeping an open mind for a topic that was gripping.

A few years ago I became involved in the development of a flexible learning health and social care degree. The flexibility was of choice of modules based on their individual professional development needs, flexibility of choice of learning and teaching strategy and flexibility of time to do the degree. This was an exciting time as I was bringing together varied skills I had achieved during the masters program. Having studied at a distance I was well aware of the needs of students learning at a distance and also what was required as a tutor supporting these students.

I started running modules as open learning, some as blended learning and some eventually as e-learning. This required understanding the technology used to support online learning courses. One of the things I found hard was the lack of student motivation to carry out asynchronous discussions using the course activities and discussion board in the virtual learning environment. I had experience with using social networking tools and so decided to see if I could use the chat tool in the virtual learning environment to get students to discuss issues as well as provide support and point of contact between the students and with me. This was something most students were unfamiliar with but they were willing to try it. My familiarity with use of chat tools like ICQ, MSN and Yahoo messengers allowed me to facilitate a discussion in the chatroom for the virtual learning environment.

In 2005 I got an invite to submit a paper for the International Conference of Technology Knowledge and Society. It was going to be held in Hyderabad India. Now this was exciting as I used to live there for years and did all my basic education there. I also had trialled this new online real time discussion and support for my students so I decided to submit a paper which got accepted. So far I had gone to conferences but they had been in UK with the higher Education Academy and Nurse Education Tomorrow. So this was going to be my first major International Conference. The whole experience gave me a tremendous confidence boost and sowed the seeds of the start of my PhD.

I wanted to carry out research on synchronous online learning discussions tools and facilitation of learning when using this approach. So off I went to my colleagues who were supporting PhD programs excited about my finally finding an area of research that would keep me motivated and interested. Sadly I think I caught them on a bad day but I saw firsthand how a teacher can de-motivate someone in one sentence….. ‘so what if u have finally found a topic to do a PhD?’ I was very disappointed and left feeling totally disheartened but my husband said to look at other universities where I could do my studying.
I talked to our friend Andy who works at Exeter University and asked him if he could introduce me to someone who I could talk to as they did run PhD as a distance learning course. Thus I met up with Patrick Dillon who was enthusiastic about my research topic and felt it was a good and new area of education which needed research. I filled my forms and became a part time student again. The first meeting with my supervisor Rupert Wegerif was good even though I was nervous. It was nice that I felt comfortable and found him to be friendly. Thus started a long relationship with Rupert, Patrick, Maarten de Laat and Nasser Mansour (the last three being my second supervisors in that order).

I will continue with this journey which was exhilarating, scary, stimulating, motivating and intellectually challenging from start to finish in the next blog………….

More Laughs

Well the cold has set in with temperatures going to be down to 0C........ Here is some more stand up comedy to see when snuggled under the duvet - Dylan Moran, Russell Howard and Jason Manford.

These are all this year's shows which the artists have been doing in their tour. Enjoy!!!

Wet and Windy UK

Greetings from wet and windy UK. There is a low pressure and so the rain is driving as well as gales. Some of that wind is coming from the north or Europe and so the temperature has dropped. One of my friend's has just landed in UK and after the 34C of Mumbai he is going to have a 30 degree shock!!! It is the time to snuggle up in bed this Sunday with hot tea and watch Andy Parsons I loved this stand up comedy show and laughed lots. Made my day and so recommend it to all who feel blue either due to problems or just the winter weather.

Very Wet November

Last year it was cold by this time. There had already been one round of snow. This year the heavens have opened... some one has left the tap running up there. In the last couple of weeks it has been raining heavily on and off. But this week it rained and rained and there have been flood waters as high as 8 feet in some places. This morning in the south east the rain has eased and the sun is out but by night fall rain is going to be back - marching forward from the western coast. I feel so sorry for all those people who have been evacuated (some airlifted after breaking out of their roofs) and they are not sure what will be left of their belonging when they finally get home.

Rain is lashing and thunder is crashing
Lightening flashing and gales shrieking
River waters rising and current speeding
Next increase in downpour sees the banks breaking
Water gushing down the road and into houses
People distressed which the flood causes
Rescue services out in force
Saving people from the nature's force
Motorised life rafts struggling to reach all
Helicopters battling the elements to save all
All safe and warm finally deemed
Rescue services heroes deemed

Simple Pleasures

The sky is grey and dreary
This weather does not make you cheery
Cold is seeping into the house
with rain dripping down the side of the house

we snuggle up in fleece
bundled up like the sheep
thick socks and gloves are also there
to give warmth for their share

I snuggle under a duvet, nice and warm
reading a book, sipping tea that is more than warm
Escaping into a different world
Intrigue and thrill of a different world

The energy of the chase and fight
Makes me forget my cold plight
the rain stops but I do not notice
the drops of rain sparkle unnoticed

the light changes and the day brightens
i looked up from the book as it brightens
sun peeps put of the dark cloud
making me want to sing aloud

the rainbow forms a complete bow
making my heart sing so
the sharp patter of rain drops has ceased
choppy waves on the river eased

birds fly out from the trees
swans float out with the breeze
boats drift by going down river
after the rain life resumes along the river

the sudden sun shine warms my heart
rain bow complete gladdens my heart
twittering of birds puts a song in my heart
book forgotten, flowing river puts peace in my heart

a moment to remember
a moment to cherish
a moment to savour
a moment without blemish

Repairing a broken heart

Is there a sound when a heart breaks?
Does anyone know when a heart breaks?
Can anyone see when a heart breaks?
Does anyone care when a heart breaks?

Life is full of ups and downs and heart aches
But its always a big deal when a heart breaks
What can be done to repair that heart
oh where does one begin to start

Dreary and short winter days add to the sadness
what are the ways to overcome this winter madness
let the cheering sun come out
to allow the banishment of depression bout

play some good music and dance
waltzing to music of romance
be with me to conquer my blues
dance with me to banish the sad hues

can we learn to laugh together again?
can we learn to dream again?
can we become best friends again?
and lean on each other again?

while spring is ideal time to renew each vow
however autumn is what we have now
so let us prepare the land of life
plow it ready by removing strife

joy shall be ours
happiness shall be ours
prosperity will move in
peace will reign

Shows that make me laugh

Have not been here for a few days now. Not sure why I was quiet as the contemplation in life and stopping to take stock had been completed a couple of weeks back. I wonder if you all saw the comedy clips I had included in the earlier blogs. There is now a new show by Russell Howard in BBC 3. This young man is funny and in his present show he does commentary on news clips. I have seen him of the program Live from Apollo in the Hammersmith and also he is a regular on Mock the Week.

I am a fan of the channel Dave as it does repeats of Mock the Week, Have I got News for You, QI, Argumental and such like. I enjoy seeing the programs over and over again as most times I find watching them so soothing that i can miss bits either through laughing or I have dropped off to sleep. Thus the repeats are always fresh for me. I know people will say how can a good program be soporific? But I find that when something is good - TV show or even movie and I am tired I can drop off happily. If the program is bad then I feel compelled to keep awake and criticise. This is true of live music as well. So I use the programs I like to drop off. Generally I put them on before bedtime and most times fall asleep peacefully.
But please let me assure you that these program are actually very good. The play on words, comedy and the wit make me laugh heartily.

There is also a Comedy Roadshow by Micheal McIntyre who also has a few other stand up comics do short stints and some are very good. I find it fascinating how the stand up can have topics that are simple everyday events and things experienced. From some of the experienced ones I have seen live is Jeremy Hardy, Kevin Day, Josie Lawrence, Eddie Izzard, Lee Evans. There are some websites that do videos of some fo their works and any time I feel low this is a good cheer me up.

Aside from stand up comedy my all time favorites, guaranteed to make me laugh are movies like Support Your Local Sheriff, Support Your Local Gunfighter, Blazing Saddles, My Fair Lady. I notice that one TV add is using that scene of cowboys eating beans around the campfire. I like the laid back attitude of James Garner in bother the Support Your... films. Saw the new Star trek movie which was good.. found I could get into it unlike my brush with the newer prequels of Star Wars. Just thought I would share - what cheers me up so others could try these out too.

Happy Diwali and Happy New Year

Diwali is here and its time to banish the blues and sad unhappy times. Must look at the new year with optimism and positive outlook. You generally hear people say - you have to count your blessings. In the recent times I have not had much to add into that blessing category. Ill health has plagued my siblings and myself. Sadness and pain has become a part of life and almost a habit. I was speaking to my friend yesterday and she asked me what my rashi (star sign) was. She was interested to see how astrology works and so was looking at the astrological predictions in retrospect. Now I am a skeptic to some extent as mostly one hears about needy people being taken for a ride by charlatans. But she was saying that if appears that the stars were positioned in such a way to give me ill health. However if this past was rightly foretold then surely the future it predicts will be right? Seems this time is for change in every way and health gets renewed and life apparently is going to be renewed.

Well I can say its about time the stars moved around and gave me a better life. I do not want much - just peaceful life and cessation of this constant pain. Also I would like to reduce the medication (my bedside looks like a pharmacy) for when one starts one medicine the rest follow to stop the side effects of the one take before it. Now for the first time I am starting to reduce medication so maybe the new year is going to be better after all. The peace will come as well, as I get reconciled with the losses in my family. There is a new hope in my heart that surely it is time we have a change of fortune and begin to prosper. There are 4 of us destined to complete our study and the plan is that all of us will focus on the studying to help us cope with our losses and to achieve what our loved ones wanted us to. Then again I read a bit about noetic science and it all seems to say that being happy is in our own control. Also our minds can heal as well. Despite being skeptical of astrology, I do believe the saying - mind over matter, or else how can we explain the healing by practices such as reiki? Some people learn this art and some just have the ability. I think all of us have the ability but some are more open to it than others. I have never learned the art of reiki, in fact I have not even heard of it when I discovered that I could do healing for those symptoms that were stress related. I also find that I have to want to heal, that is it has to be for a person I care for. Also it only happens when there is genuine distress. Never could understand why these two points are important but that's the way the gift work best. But then I have never sued it to help people I do not know. Now that I am physically improved I can practice reiki on myself and so mind over matter is most likely to prevail.

Another thing life has taught in the last few years is relationships are those made by you rather than just the blood relations. Now I find that I have a few good friends and they do not fall in the category of family or friends, they are just MINE. So I prepare for the better times with positive thoughts and clear mind focusing on improving health and happiness for myself and MINE. Just try to make my little corner of the world a better place.

Autumn is here

The days are growing shorter and day light seems to be slipping away. I do not like this time and the on coming winter just because there is less sunlight. Have always felt that I have that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as I feel feel low and lack energy when I do not get sunlight. Maybe I am like a sunflower who needs the sun to flourish and dance in the wind. Since finding out I managed to have a sever lack of Vitamin D I need the sun more than ever. People keep telling me to go live in a warmer place or at least visit India where I believe it is very warm and sunny during the day. Even in winter one generally gets a good few hours of sun in India.

This year I went to Australia and it was during the winter there. Save a couple of days of rain and a couple of cloudy days the sun shone most of the time we were there. It is just the lack of sun shine that i have problem with, the cold or even the snow is fun to have. When it is cold I can bundle up in the lovely fleeces, jumpers, faux fur coat, nice warm hat (I got the hat and coat from Quebec City) and even gloves. Am happy wearing all that for a walk out in the sunshine. A few years ago we used to go for a walk in the Trent Country Park on new years day. The fresh air and crunch of frost underfoot felt good and lifted my spirits. Not sure why we stopped doing that. In fact I cannot remember when we last went there. The last few years have been full of stress, pain and ill health for me and am hoping that finally times have turned to good now. The sad times are going to sleep with winter and spring will bring new hope and luck and health.

I love the snow as long as I do not have to go to work in it. Am not sure I ever liked driving in the snow. One day I remember I took my husband to the station just a mile down the road and it took me 30 minutes to get back, slipping and sliding everywhere. But I love to walk in the snow and throw snowballs. Have never done any other snow activity ever but walking is fun. I have walked in the snow in many places besides home - Scotland, Iceland, Cyprus, Black Forest in Germany, Sierras in Spain, Copenhagen, Moscow, St. Petersburg, New England... This year there was a lot of snow here but I was snuggled in my warm bed under the duvet as i was not well enough to go out. Hope that next time there is snow I am well enough to walk about in it. But who know where I will be.. will there be snow... as time is always uncertain and life is strange and unpredictable.

Need a laugh?

When you feel down and need a good laugh Ardal O'Hanlon can really cheer you up. Here is a list of short youtube clips of his entire show (not sure which year).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHLxQt-jNwI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLh4fExnc7M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZWpu-eByRg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir-w9pDndtQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJvk15D5zfI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK8vJ7KFRCU

Enjoy and forget the worries of life.

Life is Fleeting

I always worried that a day might come when I am left without my sisters but it was something far in the futur, say in 15 - 20 years time. But the time is right here and what does one do? Nothing as one stands by impotently watching life drift out and away.. the tears are for the ones left behind. No matter how much one wishes things were different but we stop in front of the ultimate truth - our mortality. It makes one wonder what is life about, the small issues, the arguments, small hurts, big laughs, fun, joy, shared memories.... of a lifetime - my lifetime intertwined with those of my sisters. I have not finished grieving for one and the other is gone too. I just want to put a few words out here in the ether that all those gone are in our memory for always.

Brings to heart all the people gone and some hope that they all r sitting somewhere under a nice shady tree sipping long cold drinks and reminiscing about us! People say time heals... but I think time gives strength to remember with joy and happy memories. Of course there will be times when the pain just grabs u by the throat but those times get less and less. After all, I am not new to dealing with loss. So let us all rejoice in the fruitful and full life that was lead by my sisters and give thanks for the lives shared.

Indian Comedy Program

For all the Indians who would like to see the Laughter Knights tv program.

http://www.desifun.tv/play.php?vid=8855
http://www.desifun.tv/play.php?vid=8854
http://www.desifun.tv/play.php?vid=8853



Having seen these you can also see other older comedy shows.

Films vs Books part 2

Well the other day I watched the film Angles and Demons. My opinion that books are better is right again. My husband who had not read the book commented that the film was not smooth and often the scenes were not connecting up. The relationships between people are not entirely understandable. Partly like Da Vinci Code the plot is set over a period of 24 hours and so a lot of the film is in the dark.

Am sure the getting locked into the Vatican library was with Vitoria and not a guard. There are of course chunks missing like when Robert Langdon goes up in the chopper to look for the next church and has to jump out of it. I do believe that at the 3rd church Robert had to hide in a sarcophagus and had to be let out by alerting the police outside with his mickey mouse watch chimes. Also the cardinal eventually elected as pope was the one (sadly I cannot remember the names as well as the plot) who was presiding over the conclave as none of the 4 preferred cardinals survived.

I liked the book as again there story is developed around facts and makes the fiction believable. Am going to read The Lost Symbol now.

Films versus Books

The other day Stephen Fry was tweeting about his guest role in one episode of 'Bones' and I was looking forward to seeing it sometime in the future the new series are not on freeview channels. To my surprise I saw it was on Sky 3 on Friday. It was good to see and Stephen was good. The episode got me thinking about how different the series is from the books by Kathy Reiches. The only thing that is common to the books is the name Temperance Brennan and her profession as a forensic anthropologist. Other than that the TV series is totally different. If I had not read the books I would still like the series as the story lines are good. I definitely like Booth and the team is eccentric too.

For those of you who have not read the books I would suggest reading them. Totally different and Tempe is a much more human and down to earth person. She generally works alone in the lab and with the police rather than the FBI. She is a divorced, recovering alcoholic with a daughter who is in college in the last book. She is tenacious and thorough in her work and caring about her friends. Many of her 'cases' are in Montreal where she works part of the year. The books I find are always more exciting as there is so much more one can imagine. The concrete pictures on the film do not allow you to imagine the happenings in people's lives as one can from descriptions in a book. In fact every time I read a book (generally I read the books again and again over the years) I can find new things to concentrate on, imagine things differently, may pick up things I missed the last time for often I can get hasty and skim over the detailed descriptions. This makes reading the same book exciting and different every time.

While I agree that films might reach more people than books I still feel that it is better to read the book. If one sees the film before reading the book it is not so bad but the other way round and I am generally disappointed. I am looking for the things that intrigued me and fired my imagination but they seemed to have been totally missed in the movie. I have read most of the Agatha Christie books (last week it was a celebrations of her crime writing) which are fairly well translated into the films and TV series. I am happy seeing the movies over and over again too. I must say that with authors like Colin Dexter I have not read many books but just seen Inspector Morse. Have read some of Ruth Randell and P D James but not seen many episodes of the books I read.

What about the James Bond films and books? I have read all the books and again some things that are in the book would, I guess, be hard to film and tend to get omitted. But I have enjoyed both the books and movies. Maybe what the books portray are total make believe worlds and so the characters can do things which might not be entirely feasible in reality. So for films I guess one has to work out what can be realistically achieved and is within human capabilities. As my favorite reading includes thrillers, crime and murder mysteries it would be difficult to be exact and true to the book. But I think same applies to most films from books, be it something like the Bourne series or the Harry Potter movies. Books always seem larger than life. I have yet to find a film as more gripping than a book. Take Da Vincie Code as another example. The movie is good albeit a bit dark and not so smooth. Having read the book I could make the links between different parts and follow the plot in a much clearer manner.

Well my view is only from a fairly small list of books and their movies as am sure there are many many examples. Also other people might have a totally opposing view. For some might finding reading tedious and so enjoy the visual aspect more. I was first aware of this difference when I read the book Coma by Robin Cook and then saw the film on TV. After than whenever there was a book and a film (in the themes that I liked) I tended to read the book and film and over time the opinion that books are better than films has become firmly entrenched. Maybe One of these days I will do short blogs on the differences between the books and films of my choice.

Sleepless in Bed.....

I should have sat and done my blog the night before last. I was up all night.. why? well the pain kept me awake and then the awake kept me in pain! a vicious cycle and after the first round of it I knew I would not sleep. Painkillers were at hand and so were sleeping pills. But I prefer to hit the pills only after a couple nights of insomnia. There was nothing on TV either to watch and so I got my laptop on and Internet going. Played a couple of games of Mahjong to see if that would relax me. But I think the insomnia was there to stay.

So got my writing out and sat down to revise and complete my chapter 7 (experiment was on InterLoc). After finishing the summery I moved to the chapter 6 (experiment on Digalo plus MI) where part of the chapter has to be written still. By 5 am I had managed to revise the writing and reach the point where I had to start new inclusions. By now I was seeing double and so had to shut it all down. Had a cup of tea and just rested my eyes for a couple of hours.

During the day I thought I would be able to catch up on some sleep at least as by now I had been up for over 24 hours and had only about 2 hours of shut eye. But despite reading a novel...The Janus Man by Colin Forbes (have read it about 20 times by now) thinking surely I would sleep....no such luck. At least this evening the TV would be good. There was a repeat of the first program of the series called Ganges on BBC 2. It is a fascinating documentary of the river from its beginning to end with a good overview of the geological, socio cultural history with all the related flora and fauna. There is some excellent photography of the flow of the river and the speed of the rapids high up in the mountains. It brought back some memories as I have been to Rishikesh and walked along the Laxshman Jhula. The monkeys there are truly as bold as shown in the documentary.

Next good program was a documentary called Black Adder Rides Again. All the characters were there to talk about their recollections of all the series. I remember Stephen Fry on twitter saying the program makers had gone out to where he was filming the 'Last Chance to See' (a wildlife series). I had seen the series backwards I guess as I first saw Black Adder in the last series set in the first world war trenches. Later I saw the series 2 and 3 in bits and finally the first series. I never really liked the fist one and it was good to hear that the people in the documentary were of the same opinion - good to know am not a bad connoisseur of good comedy. They seemed to agree that the best series was the one in world war trenches, there was humour and also lots of sadness. As Ben Elton said the best subject for satire... people going to fight just because.... Well suffice to say I enjoyed the documentary.

Last program to be seen before I finally fell asleep was Law & Order Criminal Intent. Strange it was about some journalist being poisoned by polonium, close to reality? Did turn over to see Micheal McIntyre live from Apollo.... finally began to feel drowsy... did a quick switching off and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

EARLI 2009 conference

We flew into Amsterdam on 23rd of August in an 8 am flight. The weather in Amsterdam was beautiful warm and sunny. We were staying at a hotel near the museumplein. Since the film wasn't ready we sat at an outdoor cafe having hot chocolate, some lunch and warming ourselves. After that we walked down the museumplein towards Rijksmuseum and sat on the benches outside watching the world go by. According to the sightseeing books Rijksmuseum is closed for renovation for the next two years. The room in a hotel and large windows and the sun came in all day making it extremely hot which meant keeping the windows open fully all the time. In the evening we had dinner at an Indian restaurant called Mayuar just on the edge off Leidesplein. The food was fairly good but the best thing was the desert which combined kheer and kulfi.

On Monday we checked out the route to Vrije University where EARLI 2009 conference was being held. Since it was warm it continued on a lazy day. In the evening we found yet another Indian restaurant called Dosa. The food was reasonably good as this was the first time I found dosa in Amsterdam.

On Tuesday I got to the conference and got my pack and badge. The session started from 8:30 AM and finished at 6:45 PM. This is a very long day but I managed to attend many sessions. Most of the time an early start was difficult as I need time and medication to get moving in the morning. It was good to meet and talk to people with similar interests and thinking. I was part of a team presenting one paper and leading a second roundtable discussion as well.

While I was attending conferences Paul did some sightseeing of open-air large sculptures, ArtZuid exhibition, one of which could be seen on our way to the University. most evenings we found different restaurants, an Indian called Anmol where the food and service where average, a Mexican the food was okay but not actually Mexican as I understand it. on the last day we went to a Spanish restaurant just a block away from the van Gogh Museum with the service and the food were very nice. On Friday and Saturday nights there were massive thunderstorms which brought the temperature down a little bit.

Sunday came too soon and 10:30 AM saw us back in Stansted. At least we had sunshine for the morning. Now it is back to work and daily life with no plans for any more traveling in the near future.

Travelling

Travelling is so good. I enjoy it generally. However travelling to work is another matter. I have to drive 40 mils each way. On good days when the sun is shinning the drive is a good experience. The countryside roads are small ut with not much traffice. Either I can have the windows down with cool breeze rushing past or have my AC on. I usually opt fo the AC as the hay fever season is on the same time as good weather! Driving through tunnels made by the trees meeting up in an arch i a cool experience when the sun is otherwise blazing hot. Yes it does that sometimes in the UK too.

But in winter, rainy and dark times the driving is tedious. The headlights glaring into your eyes, narrow roads and drizzle with the car in front of you chucking up spray making it harder to see. By the time the journey ends I have a hadache and sore eyes. Considering its dark when I go to work as well as when I return I often feel that day light has disappeared. I am sure I get SAD (I knwo some wil say whats new? but I mean Seasonal Affective Disorder). Any bit of sunlight will do to make me happy.

Just goes to show that human being can be dissatified no matter what or one can turn it on its head and be happy with what ever you get, as there is always an up side to everything.

Hot sunny sunday and music

Next week I am off to Amsterdam for EARLI conference. I am presenting a few papers with colleagues from the research team at University of Exeter. The papers are related to use of synchronous online learning tools called Digalo with Argunaut System and InterLoc. The first is a spatial and graphically displayed text tool while the latter is a linear text display tool. Argument theory underlies the development of both, and so they allow development of a collaborative discussion. The Argunaut System consists of the Moderators Interface which allows the facilitator to support online collaboration by the learners.

I just had a small panic attack as I needed to sort out the handout for my conference paper. I needed one screen dump to complete my snapshots of the awareness tools in Moderators Interface (Argunaut Project) for facilitators supporting students learning using Digalo. Considering I had not done screen dumps in ages, I could not remember how to do those. For some reason this always happens to me. Also then I had a panic trying to find the paper submitted among of the millions of files I have for my thesis and the related papers and projects.

The sunny and warm day makes it harder to be focused in my work as panic increases sweating! The songs playing on Sunrise Radio and Kismat Radio are a good company when I study or work. Later I will listen to another program on Asian network radio where there are old songs which are rare these days. While I never remember what was playing afterwords it is fun to hum and jig in place to some real fast tunes. But in this heat I prefer to have the slow numbers on the radio as bopping about is just too much. But music does not fill ones stomach... what to eat is always a major question......

Tedium and happiness

Well I am back to work. Getting into the swing of things is hard especially after a long break. I seem to be in 'helping out' mode and hope to get the some idea of what I should be doing this year. Aside from that I am happy as I have time to spend on doing my thesis. Waiting for things to happen is the most tedious thing for me. So I thought I will have a few minutes break and do my blog.

The most interesting thing I have heard today is a new research is out about how to be happy! The best way to do this is by taking a minute everyday and remembering what was the best thing that you did or achieved or that happened to you in th last 24 hours. Also smiling for a short while too is useful. Am sure there are other ways suggested by this research done at University of Hertfordshire. But hearing it in the BBC news early morning did put a smile on my face!!!

So I guess I am happy despite the waiting and helping out... after all there is some constructive activity there.....

One day I shall have a garden

I have been to the west country for a few days. I like going there as it seems a different country... the pace of life is certainly slower than the South East of UK. It would be nice to live there I think. The sun was shining most of the time and the countryside was green and had so many butterflies and bushes with blackberries ripening. In fact this year there is a huge bush in our garden and there is so much fruit that it allows for fresh picking every day. The neighbour has grown cucumber, broad beans and tomatoes of which I was able to get some to bring back home.

This year I have also managed to get fresh mangoes a few times. Generally they are affordable during the season and they are from the Indian subcontinent. Very sweet and makes you never want to eat the tinned stuff ever again. Reminds me that when I was younger and living in India we always had seasonal fruit and it always meant so much and tasted much better since it was available only for short period in the year. As a kid I remember sitting in my slip with mango and getting it all over myself. The taste made me shiver with pleasure. Grapes are another favourite. I always remember big bunches of seedless grapes in the fridge and my eagerness to help my mother in the kitchen... as getting things from the fridge for her allowed me to sneak a grape or two! Guavas specially those from Pune were real big and sweet... yummmmyyy I always bought some when I went out at weekends from hostel. Nibbling at one to make it last. My mother likes guavas was well and I took some home for her during my vacation.
I wish we had a small garden at least. Am sure we could grow a few things... potatoes would be the first one and also some chillies. Tomatoes I know are fairly easy and any other veg would do. Maybe some herbs as well like basil, thyme, coriander. Another thing I would like would be lavender. I have in past got some and dried it, making a sort of potpourri and hung it the hall. It felt so nice as the scent wafted every time you passed by. mmmmmmmmm Am dreaming again.. one day maybe I shall have a little garden.......

Any one out there?

The One Show is celebrating the Year of Astronomy and have started a snippet on the skies. Just brought home that there would be millions of other life forms out there... Then strangely I watched an old Have I got News for You on Dave and there it was about release of old UFO files... all saying the UFO do not exist..Contradictions everywhere.....

What I find strange that we want to find aliens and make contact with them... spending lots of money for that, people researching all their lives. Yet when it comes to using imagination and making movies why do we always portray the aliens are malevolent and out to destroy earth.... not many movies of friendly aliens.. and if what we believe that someone out there is monitoring our transmissions.. would they wish to even bother contacting us when we display the violent responses in imagined situations?

Maybe within series like Star Trek or even Babylon 5 there is some attempt to show a balanced approach that as with humanity there will be some good and some bad or is it that this mixture is our perception only but does not truly occur.

Anyone out there? any thought?

New Month - August

It has taken a while to get over the jet lag and get back into the local time zone. Spent a few days sorting out the holiday snaps and putting up the captions. It is strange how you remember the small things that happened when you are reviewing the photos.

Cricket was on the TV on OZ a lot... they want to take the Ashes. It is fun to see the comments the strong feelings about cricket. However footie Aussie style is big there as well... managed to avoid the football fans at weekends in Melbourne even though we were round the corner from Etihad Stadium. I am only an occasional fan of cricket now a days but I like the Aussies.

I finally got back into twitter as well... long time since I went in there. I must have missed a lot of twittering... I now have to concentrate on my thesis and stop spending time in here. Maybe I should include my work in the blog as I will soon be going to Amsterdam for EARLI conference. We are presenting papers at it and I hope to have a very interesting and productive time there.

Back to UK

The last couple of days in Sydney were just as good as the rest. On Sunday we went to The Rock which is by the Harbour Bridge. Generally every Friday there is a farmer's market there and over the weekend there is a general market. This Sunday there was the annual coffee festival. There were rows of stalls with lots of local produce - coffee, tea, honey, baking, fresh food etc. I found a stall of a company called Disaster Bay Chillies. They had all the usual sauces and spices for cooking but what caught my eye was they were the company who did the Hot Chillie Wine (I had seen this at Melbourne airport but had been unable to buy). This is a wine made from chillies - well more of a liquore with a sweet taste with a kick of the chillie as it goes down the throat. Had it chilled - mmmmmmmmmmm nice.

There were also stalls for local arts and crafts and jewellery which were interesting. The weather was nice warm and sunny and all of Sydney was out in full force enjoying the fun and sun. Spent a quiet evening after all the walking about in the morning. Did the same on Monday as we were flying at night.

Return trip was not too bad but 24 hours still seems a long tiring journey. Getting back into UK time has been hard and we are just about in this time zone. Have started sorting the photos out and doing the captions so that I can put them up here.

Blue Mountains are beautiful

Yesterday we had a trip to Blue Mountains! The day before we planned to get to Kusum's place by 8 am so that we could make an early start. However when we got to the station we found that weekend there was track work and so no trains from Kings Cross!!!! So instead of doing a long winded trip by bus in the morning we just took a taxi.

Drove down to Parramatta and then on to the motorway. The climb starts almost as soon as we were out of Parramatta. The day was glorious sunshine but with a nip in the air. First stop was at Wentworth Falls. Coffee and hot choclate were consumed and went lookng for the lake there. There were some strange scupltures about and lots of ducks, geese and morehens. If course we missed the truning to the waterfall itself... what we had actually turned into the town to see!!

Next stop was Leura cascades... wandered down to the side and saw a small fall and apprently one had to walk another 20 mins to see the rest... The we went to Echo Point... now there is one place that takes your breath away! there is a blue haze to the mountians and hence the name. Saw Three sisters and other peaks, the mountains rolling away as far as the eye can see. Wind was chill even without any snow.

Then we stopped at Katoomba and had lunch! Small tourist town with plenty of people today as its good weather and school holidays. As you can guess there were plenty of Indians about too. The town is more or less a couple of streets and saw the YHA where that backpacker had stayed!! Next we moved on to the Scenic Point. This place has been truely commercialised with rides on skywalk (big trolley with see through floor), cable car, railway (actually a roller coaster) and some broad walks. The massively expensive souviner shop and resturant. We did the skywalk and saw the Katoomba waterfall, three sisters a little bit up closer and also various peaks. There were cockatoos, parrots and lorrikets and other birds we just heard.

Left the Blue Mountains to return to Sydney at sunset which was beautiful with pink skies. Got dropped off at Beverley hills to get into the city and take bus back. Memorable trip in many ways.

Back in Sydney

Flew back Quantas which was slightly delayed but arrived in only 50 minutes.
then train back to Kings Cross which cost $14:60.
We went whale watching finally and saw 4 humpback whales and a dolphins wonderful 3 metre swell.
Mriga found the motion a little unsettling but for me no problem.
The harbour is much wider and bigger than i had imagined and going out to the sea showed what a Sunday is
like in Sydney, sailing on a wonderful sunny afternoon as Clive James has written.
The whales were generally balck in colour but would surface every 3-6 minutes and you could see the dorsal fin as they
drived down again, one whale had a yellowly white underbelly, we only saw a tail fin once as one of the second group of
whales drived down to eat krill.
the second pod also mugged us by going under our boat.

Watson Bay and the Gap park, we travelled to the end off the line on the 324 bus, the Gap is the the sea facing side of Sydney
Harbour, with huge river deposited sandstone cliff and huges crashing waves, we think we saw a fairy penguin in the surf.
We has fish and chips once again, but were not attacked by the nasty sea gulls who will try and steal the chips from your mouth.

Greetings from Melbourne

We had a nice 5 day drive down to Melbourne from Sydney... stopped over at Murramarang Beach, Merimbula, Metung, Philp Island and then Melbourne. Saw lots of wildlife on the way - kangaroos, possums, wombats, koalas, deer, dingoes, emus, dolphins and fairy penguines. Not a single seal at the supposedly biggest seal colony in Oz at the Nobbies... yes thats what the place is called and its on the Philip Island. the drive was wonderful and the roads are good with some fabulous scenery. Took lots of pics and they will be here soon.

In Melbourne there is lots to see. We are staying in the city centre and so took advantage of the free city centre tram and saw lots.... wandered into the Melbourne Central mall, Crown casino, Erueka Tower to see the city from high up. Queen Vic Market is the best... can not get over the size of the fruit and veg! Went down the Ocean Coast road till the Airyes Inlet and its lighthouse. Saw the Dali exhibition yesterday. Also saw how opals are cut, facinating gems with the colours.. Naturally moi liked only the most expensive ones - $8000 a carat...

Tomorrow we fly back to Sydney and do some more site seeing. The pace of life here is much slower and nicer than back home. The weather has not been too bad.. been hindered by rain only for a couple of days... as it has rained around us and at night most times. The temperatures have been a nice 17 - 20 degrees C and so have managed to catch some sun and natural vitamin D. Hurrayyyy !!!!!

Greetings from Sydney

Here we are on the otherside of the world after a long 24 hours up in the air.
Its winter its warm and we have even seen snow, in Sydney.
Undertaken the central Sydney experience and now have started to venture further afield to the beaches of Bondi and Cronulla.
Have been taking lots of pictures which will be uploaded anon.

Excitement Finally

Well today is my last day of work before my long hols. However, am studying at home so no driving.... that certainly knackered me out the last two days. In fact I barely crawled up the stairs yesterday and into bed. Spending the day in doing a draft paper for publication.

Have not even begun to think of packing yet. Got to sort out my suitcase of medicine first.... lol Viral Polyarthrities and severe Vit D deficiency plus other vitamin lacks and being ill from 2 and half years mean a long slow road to recovery.

I think I can begun to get excited tomorrow after my Vit B12 injection. It is supposed to be around 20 C so not too bad... hope I can catch some sun as well. This will be my first holiday in 18 months - need it badly to relax. I guess a few t-shirts and trousers will suffice and maybe something to wear out to dinner just in case I get taken out....Also maybe be a jacket and fleece just in case... as the mountains do get colder than 20C. Going to get a lift to Cockfosters so that the tube can take us right to Heathrow. The the long arduous flight... I am sure I will have to suffer and try to keep moving about every so often to avoid aches and pains.

Well I shall go back to finishing my paper.......

Been Lazy

Its a long time since I came here. There has been so much happening as I finally started going to work again after a long haul illness. Still not right but felt I must come here and write a note. I am going on holiday next week. This is a nice month long break in Australia and will be visiting Sydney and Melbourne and places in between. I will try and put in a daily blog and pics if I can. If not it will all come in when I return home. Hope the weather is fine and sunny. I know it is winter but am sure better compared to the English summer!!! Anyway we hope the summer is still in UK when we get back.

Delights of Berlin - part 2

Standing on the other side of the Brandenburg gate... Berlin is a very interesting city full of contrasts. There are old buildings with splendid architecture along with modern towering blocks in a small part of the city. There are many museums and parks. There are a few shopping malls as well... spoiling the feel of the city!!!.... There is plenty to do and a week is not enough. Had a couple meals in a restaurant called the Twelve Apostles - which is a Italian place doing really fab pizzas. It is under the railway bridge and I really jumped up from my chair when the first train went overhead. Thought it was an earthquake!!! another place we went a couple of times was a small Mexican place ... not bad...
Statue of Bertolt Brecht by the Berliner Emsemble the theatre in the above picture.
Reichstag - the photos are of different views and also showing differnt parts of the building to see the carving.









Brandenburger Tor which farmed the gateway between the East and Westalong the Wall.
Sculpture Quadriga on top of the Brandenburger Tor - a symbol of victory, the goddess recieves the staff bearing the Prussian eagle and iron cross with a laural wreath.

Carving in the pillars of the gate

Map showing the Berlin Wall as it separated the city in the past.

Checkpoint Charlie

Topographie des Terrors - Prinz Albrecht-Strasse. This runs along the Berlin wall and shows the history of geocide of the jews of Europe. There is something very sad about this place... I mean I could feel the anguish and pain here as well as paradoxically the more pleasureable emotions of the oppressors when standign at this site. I have always felt a 'place' and can sense the vibes around me but this was something much stronger. I just could not stop tears gathering in my eyes and running down my face. In fact I could not see all the exhibits are I had to leave - the emotions were overwhelming.

Part of the remining Berlin Wall
The newer part of the city centre - Potsdamer Square and the modern buildings - sony centre, office buildings, etc







Holocast Memorial near the Brandenburg Gate

Sculptures along the river Spree.


New Synagogue - a very beautiful central dome that can be seen form far. The museum inside is informative. The views from top are worth visiting.

Gedenkstatte Grosse Hamburger Strasse - memorial commemorating Berlin Jews murdered in the Holocast.
Markisches museum - we were trying to get on to a boat trip which was supposed to start from the river near this place. After all we saw this in a publicity leaflet - made sure the day of the week was correct. Got up early and walked a couple fo miles to get there for 1 30 am trip!!!!! There was no boat or trip.. there was no one there to ask. So we took a few pictures of the museum from outside - all around the building to get different views. Gave up on the trip after hanging around for an hour in the freezing cold!





The next two photos are parts of the Berlin Wall displayed outside the Markisches museum.


Post Office is more impressive than any other post office I have seen!
Ephraim Palais at the most beautiful corner of Berlin - the ornate balconies glint in the sunshine. at present it is a part of the Berlin City Museum.

Some better photos of Rotes Rathaus - townhall