Positive reinforcement

It's amazing how much some positive reinforcement can lift one's spirits. For the first time in... oh, ever... good things are happening with my PhD. I've been given a $10,000 grant to complete the qualitative component to my study which involves interviewing migrant mothers (in the presence of qualified interpreters) about their pregnancy and childbirth experiences, as well as interviewing several midwives about their experiences dealing with culturally diverse women. It really was just dumb luck that I came to know about this funding opportunity while complaining to a colleague about the lack of money available to PhD students. I've never been so grateful to be a bitcher and moaner.

The colleague who put my project to the funding body told me that he really didn't have to do a lot of work on my behalf, in fact one of the board members joked that she'd pay for my research with her own cheque book. This statement, flippant as it was, has managed to lift an enormous weight from my shoulders. I'm so happy to hear that someone (other than The Boy or my supervisors) believes that what I am doing is worthwhile. Obviously things haven't been going that well for me in regards to my postgraduate career, and I've been questioning my motivation for doing this a lot lately, particularly in light of everything I'm missing out on. Finally, a sign that perhaps I haven't been wasting my time.

So while I'm still in a positive frame of mind The Boy and I are heading for the outback. Actually we have a wedding in Broome on Saturday so we're heading up tomorrow morning and staying until Monday, with a rented car and some rather splendid accommodation. I think it'll be just what I need to refresh me in preparation for the onslaught that will begin when I return. The next 6-18 months are going to be intense, but for the first time in a long time I'm feeling up to the challenge.

Bring it on.