My PhD candidacy oral exam was on the 2nd of December, and thankfully I passed. All the intense studying and build up to this one day was tiring not only mentally but physically as well.
Then, after 2 take home finals, it was a 24 or so hour flight home to Malaysia from Los Angeles via Shanghai. The flight was routine though service was by far below par but that should be expected flying with China Eastern Airlines.
Being home was excellent, there was plenty of time to relax with family in Ipoh and Taiping, with attempts to meet up with people I hadn't seen in ages, not to mention meeting plenty of new peeps at youth camp. Who doesn't love Christmas with it's great food and presents, and nothing beats a 3 day vacation following Christmas on one of the most beautiful beaches (beaches, not resorts) on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia (alright, that is a lot of qualifying, I know, but it was still beautiful.)
Fast forward 4 weeks later and I am about to start my 5th quarter of graduate school. Break was phenomenal and while I am reluctant to return to reality, I am a little more positive about my academic career since the more stressful moments are over and I can now focus on researching topics of interest to me, which is hopefully a more rewarding activity. I am enrolled in 2 classes, which takes up just 6 hours a week, and attend mainly discussions and seminars on current research the rest of the time, as well as supplement instruction for an undergraduate level class. Tomorrow, reality begins.
I would love to return home soon, hopefully at the beginning of summer. Going back really is a great recharge for my batteries so after another 22 weeks of what is hopefully tiring but rewarding research, a trip home would be very satisfying. That has been the last month and a half in a nutshell. Onward 2012!
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