Have been pretty flat out of late so haven’t had a chance to post much. I’m desperately trying to wind things back before I go but it is proving to be difficult.

I’ve been asked to sit on the board of Global Trade Watch which is a privilege and an honour. There are few organisations like GTW in Australia. I think their work is really important and I’ve been a big supporter for some time so it’s something I’m really looking forward to.

I’m trying to solicit a scholarship for a PhD at the moment. I’ve got someone who is happy to supervise my thesis at the Globalism Institute at RMIT and seems quite enthusiastic about the areas I want to study. However I am faced with the fact that last year the institute had 40 applicants for an Australian Postgraduate Award and only had 2 to give out. Moreover, they look more at your undergrad work than your postgrad work. I was too busy partying to do well in my undergrad so this will be a problem. There are other alternatives (ie other funding sources) but it will mean a lot of work. The biggest kick in the teeth is that, thanks to our beloved federal government, 5 years ago I would almost be guaranteed one but now I am not. I really want to do my PhD full time rather than work and do it part time. I’m really sick of being overworked, I can’t do my PhD like I did my masters (ie working full time and running an NGO at the same time). It really would be the sweetest thing ever if I could return from Overseas and walk into a scholarship.

Finally, I was really chuffed to be asked to be a Groomsman at a friend of mine’s wedding. It was her fiancé that asked me which makes it just that little bit more special. I had previously been offered the position of bridesmaid but all the parties concerned thought this might not be the best idea.

So that’s me up to date, as you were.