I submitted my thesis today about 2 weeks ahead of schedule. For the first time, I actually feel really excited!!! It was a great feeling, and I'm actually quite looking forward to my viva.

I've decided to take some time off though before even thinking about preparation!!

Anyone want to recommend some nice relaxing holiday destinations?? 8-)

congratulations Jimkim, thats brilliant news! very well done and submitting early as well, you should be very proud of yourself!
I recommend the dominican republic if you want a nice relaxing beach holiday! we went couple of years ago when i was struggling with PhD stress and 10 days there and I felt completed rejuvinated, the people are lovely and humble and happy and the scenery is amazing! I have not been to many tropical kind of places, but thorougly enjoyed my first all inclusive experience ;)
Let us know what you decide and well done again, you deserve a good break!

Well done Jimkim65 - it won't be long now before you get that PhD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDajqW561KM

Thanks guys!

Wally that video is ace!! I especially like the penguin!!

I would love to go to the Dominican Republic Alpaca!!! Ooooh... it's so, so tempting. I may just price it up!

well, we went to place on the north island - think slightly cheaper as sand isn't quite as white and sea not as blue! but still very hot and lovely. It was part of the Riu group of hotels, think Riu mambo, or something there were 3 hotels in the complex - we went to cheapest one, but really didn't matter as you can spend your days in all three, with their own pools, private beach, tennis courts, gym etc etc etc! we couldn't have asked for anything better. we went with thomas cook and totally freaked out before we left as everyone kept going on about how you were enclosed in a complex thing and thomas cook are sh*t, and then read odd bad reviews online. But we decided we'd paid for it and people will always complain so what the hell, go with an open mind!
In the end didn't have one complaint, Thomas cook were great, the resort was fab, food good, rooms ace - with our own bar with optics in our room! :) I think in the end wherever you go people can find something to complain about, they just need to get more of a life and live it for what it is, you're not in the ritz, but unless you pay 1000s you're not gonna get that!
We went on excursions so did get around the island and from other people from different hotels we certainly did manage to pick a better one, but depends on what you want, price etc! (we did go at end of hurricane season in november and were just really lucky with price and weather!)

Anyway, best of luck and if you want any other info just let me know!

Congratulations Jinkim65. It's a wonderful feeling having submitted, though it took a day or two to sink in for me. Enjoy your time off before the viva. And it sounds as though you have a very good attitude to that.

Jinkim that's fantastic! Well done and absolutely enjoy a holiday, you deserve it 8-)

congratulations jinkim! you've been flat out here for ages so you deserve a holiday, especially submitting early! I can only dream.... :-) Good luck for the viva and make sure you have a lovely holiday and relax first!

Well done Jinkim, enjoy your break and good luck with your viva, hope to see a 'passed thread' from you here soon! Nxx

WOW that's great! Well done and have a lovely break, I like Cornwall, but it's probably abit cold at the moment.

Hey Jinkim - great news & congrats for submitting! Enjoy your holiday(up)

Thanks guys!!

I had a mega lie in this morning which was nice... but have decided the first thing I need to do is clean my house. It's been neglected recently. :-(

I've narrowed my holiday choices down to America, Portugal, Italy, or Germany. Hmmm. Decisions!

Congrats jinkim - I usually stay away from these type of threads cos they make me feel like crap! But very pleased for you, all the best for the viva!

oooh italy!! I'd so love to spend a few weeks travelling around, visiting different cities, eating amazing food and drinking amazing wine.....and all along the amalfi coast is just stunning (according to my mum)!!

Thanks sneaks!! You'll get there soon too!! :-)

Italy is my top choice... I was planning on travelling around last summer but other plans arose and we went somewhere different. I love volcanoes so really want to go hike up Vesuvius or something. The wine and food are a bonus!!