A year ago, I was excitedly talking about applying for PhDs and how I wondered how I would ever afford to actually study if I was accepted somewhere. My…
[De-can’t-ing is part of my desire to “prioritise me” during February.] I can’t. You can’t. We can’t. But why can’t I, you, we? Maybe it’s not because…
When I wake up tomorrow it will be February; the shortest month in the calendar year and my birthday month. Yes, by the end of…
(Updated September 2020; see the end of the post.) I was halfway over the Atlantic when I moved my wedding rings from my left hand…
If you asked me what my perfect man looks like, I couldn’t describe him. I imagine he’d be taller than me and I’d like to…
My 30s are nearly over. Yes, in just 39 days my age will tick over from 39 to 40. I’m not stressed or upset about…
It’s been more than four years since my husband died and I’ve yet to enter into a new relationship. I’ve now had four first dates…
As 2013 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the year’s ups and downs. I’ve been thinking about the good points and the…
My apologies, I seem to be in a poetic mood today. I believe…By Just Frances I believe in so many things.I believe in so many…
It’s been nearly a month since my return to Scotland and I am finally starting to feel a bit settled. In fact, I’m feeling settled for the…
Well, folks, it’s happened. It’s finally happened. I have finally started my PhD. Well, I have finally had my first full day as a PhD research…
I’m packing my suitcases this evening for another return to Scotland. After two months in the Homeland, it’s a bit hard to say goodbye again. But it…
Excitedly, I have received my new UK visa today – meaning that I have all of the official bits of a government-issued ID to allow me to…
Today is 1 October, which was my target date for beginning my PhD studies. Only I’m not in Scotland at the moment because I’ve not sorted…
Remember how I told you that I had to manoeuvre through an additional obstacle before I could apply for my new Tier 4 student visa? And remember how…
In the past few weeks, I’ve noticed an increase in conversations around happiness and depression so I thought I’d throw some of my own words…
I went to the cemetery to see Paul today and ended up digging away under his headstone. I hadn’t really planned on that, or I’d have…
I’m on the train to England now and will be flying home to America tomorrow morning. It’s weird because part of me feels like I…
My flat is now nearly empty. The only things that remain (other than the furnishings belonging to the property) are my (nearly) packed suitcases that I’m…
I daydream. I always have and I always will. I suppose that it’s harmless, though it does sometimes mean that I pin a bit of…