Many thanks, Pjlu!
your input is very helpful. I'll write to the lady like this: "Dear Ms. XXX D.H.Sc.."

thanks again
love satchi

Hi everyone,
can someone clarify this with me--
people who have the Doctor of Health Science (D.H.Sc.) qualification, are they still addressed as Dr? I would like to write to a lady who has this qualification but on her company website, they have not put Dr. infront of her name. How should I address her?

thanks very much
love satchi

hi chris,
maybe a job back here won't be difficult for you to land :-) If I'm not mistaken, the salary for you must be over £20,000 per year to sponsor your partner's dependent visa.

I am puzzled though, as to how you could not proceed with your phd, I mean, surely when you were doing your work, you were not in the company of Mr Kenny. You didn't have to see him when you were doing your work, right? how far in your phd were you?

I'll give you an example of my own experience. I took my masters degree in a European university (not the UK), haha, I won't say which country--but they had lousy library facilities, their internet was always out--their staff was sloppy (honestly), it even took them 6 weeks to get us our student cards (it only takes a few minutes in the UK), there were always delays in getting lab equipment (!!!!), my supervisor was never around etc.etc. I was unhappy, so were my friends, how we grumbled, complained but we stuck it out and at least we have our MSc.

I hope you get the Otago one, though. I'm sure things will work out for you :-)
love satchi

hi chris
Sharing my WC stories with you :-) In my building, I also left my mobile in the toilet, I hung it up behind the door--and completely forgot about it. I only realised 4 hours later that I had left it behind. It was found by someone who had taken it to the receptionist downstairs. So I got it back. Another time I left my ring at the sink (in another building). I went to a seminar after that and only remembered my ring an hour later. I panicked but then I thought, it is MY ring, it will be waiting for me. Ok I have to admit I ran all the way to back to the toilet---but there it was, still there waiting for me.

what will you do now? I don't mean to be a busybody, but I have to admit I am curious :-)
are you going to leave New Zealand then?

love satchi

hi tresh
here is a paper using data from semi-structured interviews, I think its open access
love satchi

hi tresh
how bout working backwards -- with your data semi-structured interviews, have you decided how you will analyse them? If you choose one particular way of dealing with your data, and write the Methodology from there. You can see other studies/paper as well, but it can become confusing. So maybe you can narrow down the choice so your methodology won't become complicated!

hope this helps
love satchi

hi ckc, thank you for posting here. I'm so sorry to hear about your current situation! From your first post, it reads like you stopped your phd because your phone was stolen by university staff--everything started with that theft and the university was not able to work things out with you.

I do hope things work out and that your life goes back on track again soon.
love satchi

hi Rina
I think it's a great idea to ask about starting a phd together with your new role as lab manager! How about approaching the group leader about it? Have you thought about securing funding for the phd?

She already knows what you can offer as lab manager but chances are she'll be interested to hear about your phd plans. Make sure you plan your proposed phd project (include the topic, steps and progress schedule), prepare it well before you see the project leader :-)

Go for it :-)
love satchi

hi again! I didn't realise this was a 3-year old post! Are you still here, Rebel?
Hope you are doing ok. Post here to let us know how you are doing.
love satchi

hi rebel
I have also been depressed! For the whole of 2012 -- when I started my MSc, my grandmother died. Then during PhD, my favourite teacher died (2010), then my other teacher died (of whom I have known since I was a child) (2011), then my mother died suddenly (also 2011)----then my funding ended as well (2011), it sounds like an endless stream of sad stories--

but my phd hadn't finished at that time-- I struggled with no income as well.

However I was fortunate that my supervisor understood my circumstances and my boyfriend supported me (food, money etc.). I think I was struggling more with the thought of not having my own income.

Back at uni I told my supervisor that I was depressed -- and at the verge of a nervous breakdown -- but I did try my best to look after myself, I made work progress schedules which my supervisor checked to see if they were feasible -- then I limited my work -- I made little goals (instead of big ones) when working on my thesis -- one section at a time, one chapter, one topic. Otherwise I would get overwhelmed by the whole thing and sink into greater depression.

Most of 2012 I struggled with my depression--today I can say that I have overcome it. I finished my thesis in less than a year.

You can as well. Find a way that works for you. Don't give up.
love satchi

hi Dont_Run_On_Time, thanks for letting me know about Rowena Murray's book.

hi Elsie, I didn't know about listing manuscripts as submitted! I have seen some job adverts saying put include a sample of your work as well. Thank you so much.

I'll be working on my manuscript again today.
love satchi

hi Huhu, reads to me like you're in your early 30s :-) I am a lot older than you.

You don't have to justify your life to people--and actually, huhu you don't have to answer to anybody. It is NORMAL to go do a phd while others get married, divorced, have kids, no kids etc. it is because the people who ask you have never done anything else in their life, never seen the world, never been out of the country--so they think your life is not normal.

Everytime you get an "intimidating" question about that, remember that you have seen more, you have had more chances, broader vision--you have that advantage compared to the person(s) who asked you, so never mind them. They don't know. And you don't owe them any explanation.

Next time when people ask you why you're not married yet, why you don't have children yet, why did you do a phd-- just smile sweetly--and answer back the same way you were asked---

"because I'm not married yet"
"because I don't have children"
"because I did my phd"

and leave them to their own imagination.

I think you'll recover in time, as soon as you find something to do (job, your own place etc.) you'll feel more grounded. I did my masters overseas as well--it was just 2 years but when I came back for holiday I felt disorientated and out-of-place--and I was only on holiday!!!

Adjustment takes time, we humans are quite resistant to change, that's why we feel emotions like bitterness, reluctance etc. For me, I'm now going through the "feeling-miserable-writing-journal-articles-that-get-rejected" phase, but I'll going to persist.

You'll be ok.
love satchi

hi aysegul and DrJeckyll
thanks very much for your input! I really appreciate it. You're right about a matter of luck, though. How very true. As hopeless as I still feel, I'll persist. I really need to get published.
thanks
love satchi

hi everyone
I've been struggling with my journal manuscripts--all three been rejected--I really feel hopeless! I'm re-writing another one now, but reaching this state where I feel its pointless--but I really need to have at least one publication. Otherwise everytime I apply for a job, it's going to be blank under "Publications".

Also, when I look at job adverts, almost everyone of them asks for publications!
I would like to perhaps go into teaching as well, but then again--how many papers have you authored??? none--so sad.

really feel miserable, advice, anyone? thanks
love satchi

hi PhilosophyPHD
welcome to the forum! Congratulations on your new beginning!
My advice to you is to make a gant chart--plan out for 3 years, plan out for the 1st year, and keep going back to look at it. Life goes on in the midst of our phd, stuff happens.
If your research involves Ethics application or you need to purchase lab materials etc., give yourself more time allowance in case there are delays.

best of luck
love satchi