PhD Month Three: The One When I Rode a Horse
Updated: Mar 4, 2020
November has come to an end. December is kicking off tomorrow with baking and Christmas films at a friend’s house (although I have actually been listening to Christmas songs for a few weeks now). So, what have I done in the last month since James went home?
Went on a trail ride! We stayed in walk the whole time, but it was so, SO good to be back on a horse.
Used R to do some data manipulation that will save me hours in the future.
Started lifting in the gym. This is a good one, I forgot how much I loved putting headphones in and drowning out the world while lifting heavy things.
Met with one of my committee members to talk about the genetic aspect of my PhD.
Read a lot about scat (animal poo) sampling for genetic analysis.
Completed a 3-part Project Management and Professional Skills workshop.
Watched a series of climbing films (REEL ROCK 14) with some friends.
Had a Skype meeting with a high school student who I am mentoring for his project on wolves.
Picked up a paintbrush and painted for the first time in months.
Started downloading spatial data.
EDIT: SAW A COUGAR! Not sure how I forgot about this one.
I’ve decided to limit the list of things I haven’t done to five, because I’d like to focus on the positives even while painting a realistic picture of PhD life. So, what didn't I do in November?
Have a committee meeting.
Get on skis… that’s on the list for next weekend.
Decide on my hypotheses.
Do as much yoga as I’d like. I have a reason for this though; my bike has been taking shelter in my bedroom and restricted the floor space.
Work out when I’m going back to the island for fieldwork.
Overall, November has been a good month for both PhD and non-PhD life. I feel like I’m starting to find my groove in Canada now (probably because I finally got on a horse).
