I've been writing in both but then again I am using feminist methodology and addressing issues of researcher identity and reflexivity. To me, research and fieldwork is personal and emotional but I also know that there will be many contentions with this statement. I guess it just depends on what perspective you are coming from.

Thank you all for the responses!

I just went on my first real holiday since beginning 3 years ago, even though it was only for 3 1/2 days, it was the best holiday ever! It was also the first time that I didn't think. When writing up, I think its really important to take a break so I've also booked another 8 day holiday this month! I think it is essential that all PhDers take a holiday!

Ok, so today I had one of many frequent panic attacks. How many articles should we as PhD students have published or at least submitted before finishing? I'm 3 months into writing up and don't have anything on my plate as of yet. One of my friend's passed her viva and is looking for a job but hasn't found anything yet. She thinks its because she hasn't published anything. Is this something to panic about? What do you all think?

No, Im not anywhere like Siberia. I do have limited email access and Ive been trying to speak to people at the university but they seem to not like responding. Im sure something will work out, maybe its just one of the 'down' days of doing fieldwork. But thanks for the advice.

Oh sorry...I meant Missing in Action (MIA).

Ok maybe you all can help me.

I'm in another country trying to do my fieldwork and have no other researchers to talk to about my fieldwork issues including problems that I'm having with interviewing, my supervisor is MIA and I'm feeling really shitty. Any suggestions besides drinking heavily.

Cheers!

Unbearable lightness of being--Kundera

Well, there are toilets but we need to exit outside the building and walk to another building which will be a construction site soon. There are also issues with personal safety, ie the area is near a car park and the lighting is not good.

Well here we have no heat, they're moving us to a place with no toilets, we have to pay for printing, photocopying, the works. The department's mostly made up of international students, like myself, who are self-funded so its interesting to hear what other people have to say. I think that if we had free nail polish and alcohol, we'd all probably have heart attacks!

Thanks for your replies! :)

Hello everyone!

I'm just curious what kind of facilities your depts provide for you all?
Does the dept provide business cards, photocopying, printing, anything like that?

At my dept were having some troubles. They gave us 2 weeks notice to vacate our current office and move us to a basement office with no toilet facilities...anyways its become quite an interesting debacle.

Cheers!!