Red gown and a nicer hat..... How could I be more motivated?

Hi there,

I am Nastaran and a new TR, originally Iranian but been in and out of Canada for some time now. I am a PhD student in Manufacturing engineering in University of Nottingham and it has been amazing so far, my research is funded by Network Rail (thanks to great relationship between my department- http://virart.nott.ac.uk/ and Network Rail... as well as other great companies) this means that I do get to go on rail tracks and observe signallers in real life which is very exciting...
Having said these, I did not start this post to tell you about my work, lets keep that for another post, this one is an special post for my sister who was also a PhD student in Nottingham and just graduated yesterday and the ceremony was great...she wore a red gown and put on a nice comfy hat.... it was quite an emotional moment, when her name was called it was filled with joy and the sense of success was definitely in air, I now cannot wait to were the red gown and put on the nice comfy hat and feel the feeling!

My past weekend in Washington DC

This past weekend, I dropped my pen and paper and travelled the 5 strenuous hours (of which I slept for the majority) to Washinton DC. Oh the delights of Washington DC, the hub of intellect and history that has built the foundations of justice, political liberty and freedom for all. The centre for hope and change where thousands recently gathered on the steps of Capitol Hill to watch the inauguration of the first Black American president proclaim YES WE CAN!

My first Thanksgiving

Standing, leaping, squelching, shoving, pushing, falling, ramming, WAIT....was that Mickey Mouse I just saw??? Landing at the Macys Thanksgiving Parade seemed a far cry short of Plymouth Rock as a spectacle of floats, balloons and performers welcome the traditional festivities of the holiday. A joyous day for all the family to celebrate with heightened spirits as their favourite characters are propelled 70 feet high in the sky! However, as I perilously lean on a ledge to try and catch a glimpse of the show, I wonder whether the idea of a parade as a magical experience is as fake a concept as the balloons themselves. With millions of spectators paraded to the streets of New York before their morning espresso, the merriment turned into madness. Elbows and knees at the ready, millions flock to ensure a good viewing experience of the big event. All have gathered to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season, a time to reflect on the importance of family and friends while waving enthusiastically to the Saturday Night Live cast. In spite of the mayhem, as I am ushered and pushed through the crowd, a sense of joy and entertainment engulfs the masses.

Christmas in North America

Hi, It's Paul again writing from Toronto !

As the snow storm rages outside my bedroom window, I sit at my desk blasted by a hyper-powered heater revising for final exams. Ok, so one thing that I didn't realise before I came here was that first semester exams are sat in December... Ridiculous I know, but then again less to contemplate over the holidays.

Anyway, enough about exams I just would like to boast about Christmas. Firstly, there was a 'Santa Parade' in Toronto on the 25th November. For some Brits this may seem premature, but for me it was already very late!!! Santa was on the 25th float, after 20 marching band, but he was SO worth waiting for 2 hours to see. (Also, 4 Mounties joined the parade and that's the only time you'll see them anywhere near Toronto - SO worth it) Following this lights were erected all over downtown, the CN tower (still an obsession of mine) adopted the colours of Christmas (green and red) and free sweets (sorry, Candies) are handed out everywhere!

Unfortunately I'm abandoning this beautiful country for the holidays, not for England but for the States. I'm meeting a fellow Notts student, who is currently frozen somewhere in Illinois State, in Washington DC on the 18th December. Then we'll be moving on to Philadelphia for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Finally we'll find ourselves somewhere in Boston for New Year's Eve. I cannot express how freaking excited I am about it! It will be amazing - guaranteed. And it's ridiculously cheap because we're already over this side of the pond.

Adventures in December

Hi Everyone!

Emily here, a new TR with the International Office. Canadian born and now studying and living in Nottingham.
Currently I'm gearing up for a busy month ahead. Luckily it will be the perfect mixture of holiday fun and work.

Arrived back in Nottingham yesterday after two hectic weeks travelling between Blackpool and Liverpool.


Blackpool, where I was staying overnight, has quite the illicit reputation - famous as a tourist destination for those seeking a tacky alcohol-filled weekend escapade. However, after spending 5 months of my gap year there last winter/spring I have grown to love the place.





















During the day I was travelling to Liverpool, despite it being an hour and a half away by train. They were long days but thankfully I had a Railcard to cut the cost of my travel substantially. Liverpool, another one of England's great port towns, is a fascinating place. Unfortunately I usually don't get farther than the city archives where I do my research but when I do get out and about it's AMAZING.

I'm back in Nottingham for a week, during which we will have our Course Christmas meal and subsequent drinks into the early hours. I love how close-knit the School of History PG community has become. Having a support group (in a way) really makes the task of writing a thesis less daunting.

Next Friday I'll be back up in Blackpool til the 18th then it's off to Germany and Sweden until the 26th. Spending the last week of December back in England then headed back to Canada for some snow and quality time with my Torontonian friends. I miss them!

Anyway just an update on how I'm living, back to work I guess....

Take care

Emily