Katie's Journal

An academic blog by a linguist specialising in healthcare research & medical humanities

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  • Weeks 155 and 156: Wrap up of the third year of my PhD

    My resolution for 2019 was to submit my thesis in December. This didn’t materialise, but I’ve reached a stage where almost all the draft chapters are done. For the next few months, I’ll be editing the first draft of my thesis, which is already a great achievement for me.   Nine things I achieved this… read more

    Weeks 155 and 156: Wrap up of the third year of my PhD

  • Christmas break in Japan and Hamburg

    Over the last two weeks, I have stayed in Japan, Amsterdam and Hamburg. It’s a relief to have travelled safely throughout, to have had a fun time with my whole family as well as Luca’s, and now to be back home.   Japan I stayed for four days in Tokyo and three days in Kagoshima.… read more

    Christmas break in Japan and Hamburg

  • Weeks 153 and 154: Chapter six is done

    I am writing this post at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, waiting to board my flight to Tokyo. I’m heading off for a week’s holiday in Japan. On Wednesday, I taught my last lesson for the term, and on Tuesday, I completed my draft of Chapter 6 and sent it to my supervisors. It’s a great relief to… read more

    Weeks 153 and 154: Chapter six is done

  • Weeks 151 and 152: Intensive writing

    Progress has been slow over the past two weeks, and I need to get motivated to write better discussions for Chapter 6. Why am I so slow in writing? I am envious of people who can write/speak while thinking quickly. It was a great relief to meet my supervisor last week. My revisions of Chapter… read more

    Weeks 151 and 152: Intensive writing

  • My Ultimate Lemon Drizzle Cake

    I’ve tested my recipe for a lemon drizzle cake four times, and slight adjustments have made it better every time. Lemon drizzle cake is my favourite cake, so I’m motivated to discover the best flavour and quantity for me.     I believe baking a lemon drizzle cake should be easy and straightforward, since it… read more

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    My Ultimate Lemon Drizzle Cake

  • Carrot Cake

    Two weeks ago, I dropped by a cafe to grab a coffee and a slice of vegan carrot cake before going to my class to teach. The texture of the carrot cake was so soft and light, and the taste was beautiful. Nuts and dry flower petals were sprinkled on the top, which looked lovely. I… read more

    Carrot Cake

  • Weeks 149 and 150: Chapter five is done

    Finally, after ten months’ struggle, I have completed writing the findings chapter. For the last month, I have been amending the chapter by revising narrative descriptions and some linguistic errors, and adding the findings of a thematic analysis of interview data. The findings chapter has 35,000 words. My supervisor said she initially thought the volume was… read more

    Weeks 149 and 150: Chapter five is done

  • Week 148: Inspiring quotes

    I’ve made slow progress in writing during the week. My objectives are to revise the findings chapter, and add a thematic map of my interview analysis. I never imagined that I would be revising this one chapter throughout the whole year. I’ve understood how important it is to make perfect logical sense between the analytical… read more

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    Week 148: Inspiring quotes