Checkin' in on Kel

Ben's turned out to be a much better blogger than I... I probably will leave it up to him to let you in on what we're up to during our travels around the globe. However, I might put my two bobs worth in every so often.

OK, Sly (and others should you wish), now go 'clicky clicky'. There is also a link to our photos on Smugmug - loadsapics.

I might keep this sit for my own musings every so often.

For example... we're currently in Wanaka. Read that quickly and it sure sounds a bit rude. But this place is far from rude; its surrounds are absolutely spectacularly beautiful!!!!

Yesterday we hitched a lift to hike the Rob Roy track, with thanks to our ride, Justin (from Long Island, USA). The walk started off in a field with rugged mountains glaring down at you, then across a swing bridge for a magical rainforest and stream walk to finish overlooking a massive glacier and hanging waterfalls. Each new view around every corner walked brought another gasp as it was so beautiful.

Today Justin, Ben and I hired mountain bikes and cycled along Lake Wanaka to the mighty River Clutha. The lake and river were outstandingly clear. At some stages the water was like the surface of glass. Breathtaking.

Tell you something... I'm very happy, but a little sleepy... all this outdoors and exercise makes for lovely snoozes!

Hey all
Most of you will know now that I submitted the PhD on 31st January and flew out to San Fran. to meet my mate Sly on 1st Feb... nothing like a deadline! Now Ben and I are happily vagabonding in NZ.
And we're getting married!
Check out banktravels on blogger
X Kel and Ben.

Enough of the bah humbug... Happy Ho Ho and Merry Thingamee to one and all. I'm off 'Down South' to North Hampton for a very Smith Christmas (Ben's surname). His brother, Tom, has two young kiddies, Angus and Amelie, who are delightful. So it should be a fun time. Attached a couple of photos of me propping up each child in turn (OK the one with Angus ain't so flattering.. I think Amelie took it, and vice versa!)

Aside from PhD poopdom, I am feeling very fortunate about my lot given: my dear darling devoted parents (d.d.d. as my dad says - I thought he developed a writing stutter ;), the love of my life, Ben, and all the excellent friends and folk that have graced me with their presence (and even their absence). Yep, I'm delighted with the cards that have been dealt.

Hope you're happy. See you in the New Year (literally I hope for the Aussies among you!!!)

Hi all. I'm still alive. I'm still writing my PhD. I'm slowly going insane sitting at a computer all day. I'm getting there. I'm running out of chat. I'm outta here...

PS. Planning the big trip O.S. from 1/2/06. See the new links to the left for the itinerary... drool

A couple of links to some photos to keep you going. the first is of a masked ball.

the second is my trip to Greece with Ben in October.

PhD still dominating life. Full draft due to supervisors 14/12/05. Got a talk to a bunch of neurologists this week. Wish me luck that I don't make a dick of myself!

Yassas! Back very relaxed, if not slightly peeling, from a wonderful two weeks in Greece. Briefly, the highlights were:
- seeing Pagliacci the opera in the floodlit theatre of the Acropolis for the Athens Festival,
- eating with the locals in the central market of Athens,
- walking the length of the Vikos Gorge
- watching an awesome electrical storm whilst wrapped up in a blanket from our balcony on the wee Isle of Paxi.
- swimming in the aqua blue seas

So back to Edinburgh and ready for a very intense couple of months trying to write and submit my PhD. It's going to be a very tight timeline right to the very end.

Please forgive me as I know I will be tardy on the emails from now until the end of January. So stay tuned for updates, but for now... it's test pattern...

Greetings from inside the weird world of my rapidly shrinking PhD mind. Finally took a peek out last weekend. I liked it... a little too much. All work and no play makes Kelly a very scary socialite! Would someone please define 'life-balance' to me and tatoo it on my hand so I don't forget?

Anyhoo, it was nice to blow off a bit of steam and forget about the study and creation of my own medically unexplained symptoms.

But it's all go again this week. I have a big meeting with my two Profs, the statistician and the health economist tomorrow. I'm seriously going to be out cleverered. Following that I have to complete as much of my results chapter for my supervisors by Thursday before Ben and I take off to Athens for two weeks.

Have a squizz at the fancy hotel I splurged out on for our first night there... Bugger sightseeing, I think we'll spend all our time on the rooftop!

So once again, a long drawn out pause on the blog... but this time I won't be slogging, I'll be relieving my recent stress by drinking ouzo and illegally smashing plates as I dance!

Yassas!