Oh! That sounds consdierably more streamlined than I had anticipated. I even went to the extent of getting my supervisor to write a reference on headed paper and stuff.

Oh well. Live and learn.

I've moved house last week, so I have to be naughty and use my old address because the utilities haven't arrive yet!

Cadbury Mini Eggs all round!

Thanks for the useful advice folks!

I sent off for registration by post but have heard no reply so plan to spend the monday sorting that outand then research the rest of the week. I know some of the things I want already...

I've just starting eating so much junk food. No more size small clothing for me, for much longer!

Wholly. Totally. Utterly.

I'm off to use the British Library next week for an extensive 5 day source gathering mission. Any tip's on making the most of my time either in the BL specific, or source research in general?

Come on people, you know you want to help! *I'll give you a virtual equivalent to the Cadbury's mini egg's on my desk*. Promise.

I think the 'if I pass attitude' is a positive one in that is suggests a recognition that it isn't given thing and work will need to be applied to do it.

Yeah, the inevitable conversation. Gulp! I'll tackle it when they return to the country.

I totally understand. People get infuriated and think it is false modesty or fishing for sympathy. But I really don't think completing should ever been taken as given.

You are right. But it is hard, because I think most PhD's would want the people that raised them there when they become a Dr. My parents do know, but never talk about it and don't acknowledge the boyfriend. My siblings however are great and understanding. So I could always invite them for familial support! Still three years is a long time....

Yesterday over post-seminar coffee anotheer Phd student noted that I kept talking about 'if I pass' whereas they tended to us 'when I pass'. I guess this post is related to the one about finishing the Phd.

I prefer 'if' because then it reminds me of the nature of the PhD and that if can be tough and that passing it isn't automatic, it also fixes that idea in friends and parents heads too. Which is important, I think.

What do you think?

404: Urm, it is not a case of numbers, more of who is going. My parents don't approve of the boyfriend. They don't like that I'm gay. So I'm left to choose who to invite really.

Still three years away from now!

I would quite like to have my parents and grandparents there too. But since I would also like to invite my boyfriend (if I am still with him then) I don't imagine I could have all three there...

Duh! Of course!

I'll be totally unbearable getting all my family and friends to refer to me as Doctor for the entire day!