Looking back on the last six months

As I said in my post yesterday, we’re half way through the year. Nice going, everyone, 2016 hasn’t been half bad. Even if not everything has gone exactly according to plan (what ever does?) I’m sure everyone has good things to look back on; successes, fun days, cool projects and so on.

I said I’d dedicate this post to looking back on the year. If anyone else would like to do the same in the next week or so and wants to share how they feel about the first half of 2016 then please go ahead and let me know, I’d be happy to share a link to your post here. If enough people do it I’ll put together a dedicated round up post at some point, we’ll see how that goes.

Anyway, let’s get on with it. Maybe the best place to start is with December 2015 when I posted my new years resolutions. I said I wanted to,

1. Be healthier
2. Try new things
3. Use my time better

I also said I wanted to:

1. finish my thesis (I’m on it!)
2. pass my viva (that comes after the thesis)
3. graduate (that comes after the viva)
4. get a job (done!)
5. possibly move (seems very likely)

With all of that, maybe I was biting off more than I could chew. However, it was always going to be a busy year and most things do seem to be on track. I would have liked to have finished my thesis by the end of March, but flow of experimental research doesn’t always flow smoothly. Still, it’s getting there.

I’m probably a little healthier, but not a lot healthier. A couple of minor injuries have meant I’ve done less exercise (and especially less cardio) than I’d like. I hate cardio, and an excuse to not do it is an excuse I’d take, but even so I’d like to do more than I’m doing. Otherwise, I’d say this is going ok. Next time I’ll make a more specific goal with regard to fitness, I think.

My excuse for not exercising? Rubbish joints. I’m working on it.

I’m definitely trying lots of new things, and I post a monthly blog about the new things I’ve been trying, so I’d say that one’s already done. Here’s a link to the most recent one, if you missed it.

Do I use my time better? I reckon any writing up PhD student has developed countless time management techniques. I’m no different. For me, part of it was getting to better understand how I work and when I work best. I can’t just sit down at 9am and type until 5pm, I have to structure writing days a little differently. That’s ok, but it takes more planning.

Right, so far so good. It’s not all about resolutions and self improvement, though. Lets move onto a collection of the things I’ve most enjoyed so far this year.

I still can’t get over how beautiful this cocktail was

• Best event: Detection of Gravitational Waves
• Best cocktail: The Blythswood Belter at Blythswood Square
• Best movie: Deadpool
• Best TV Series: Daredevil S2
• Best book: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
• Best new cafe: Java Jess Emporium
• Best newly discovered restaurant: Pickled Ginger (I think this opened in 2015 but I only tried it recently)
• Best newly discovered activity: Laser Tag (I’ve been three times this year already)
• Best outreach event: Bottle Rockets with the RSOE Masterclass
• Best new beauty product: Dermalogica Skin Perfect Primer (…still)

Some of those were really hard to choose, which just goes to show how good the year has been so far. My only regret is the lack of travel, but you never know, I might get a weekend (or maybe even a week) break before the year is out. We’re still talking about a weekend in Bruges or Brussels at some point. Even if we don’t manage it though, it will be because this year has been such a busy one, already full of so many amazing changes that there just hasn’t been time. In which case we’ll do be forced to do extra travelling next year to make up for it, right?

How has your year been so far?