The end is in sight

It has felt like a very long month. When I started back (see my last post) I was facing a month of labwork in order to finish. Three and a bit weeks later, I'm getting close (probably another week to go). At times it has felt as if I've been getting close to the end, only to find it waves at me before running off into the distance again, but I really and genuinely hope to be out of the lab by the middle of next week.

And then ... the thesis beckons!

Back in Oxford

For the first time in nearly three and a half years, I've managed to spend 3 weeks away from Oxford (well, almost - I came back for a day because we were moved out of our laboratory at very short notice). I spent most of that time at home, but also went twice to Norfolk. It's been a restful time, and I have made some progress on my thesis (I have at least started all the chapters now). But today - amidst a flurry of packing up, driving down, unloading and supermarket shopping - I'm back in Oxford.

I'm sitting in the lab now, filling in some time before going to church and pondering on what the next couple of months have in store.

• First and foremost, they must see an end to the lab work. I have a little bit left to do, but as is always the case with research, one can never quite be sure how it is going to work out.
• Secondly, I need to get on with writing my thesis - I don't want it dragging on for ever.
• Thirdly, I need to get on with the review article I'm meant to be writing.
  
• Fourthly, I need to find some employment in Oxford to carry me through until the summer.
• Fifthly, I need to work out what I'm going to do next year (though I have made a little progress on this)

It's going to be busy!