6 Months of Hard Work and Play
“Well done, Hilmi. You have done a splendid job!” said Janet today. I keep receiving positive words from her these days that, sometimes, I have a feeling that she must have been extensively trained by a strict drama coach to say that corny line for an ambitious PhD candidate like me. Having proven that I have progressed well in my studies, she should be the next contender for the Best Actress in 2010′s Academy Awards. But today, I knew she was not lying. She must have meant it because today’s meeting was not a joke. It was a PhD Advisory Committee meeting. The aim was simple – to review what kind of shit I have done for the past six months.
Yup, it’s been six months since the first time I set foot on this campus. Six months of theoretical ramblings. Six months of floating ideas. Six months of mind-boggling reading. Six months of big words. Six months of philosophical rubbish.
“Oh, you have no idea how well-prepared Hilmi has been for his confirmation, John!” Janet said to Professor John Hajek, the Chair of the Committee. Janet flattered me with a lot more over-the-top praises while Celia nodded in agreement. John, an Oxford alumnus and an expert himself in Phonetics and Phonology, was quite impressed. Janet even suggested that John should be part of the supervisory team since he did some internationally-acclaimed works in geminates of Romanic languages, the similar works that I am currently doing. John smiled and said, “Yes! Why not?”
So, with that simple answer, I now officially belong to THREE Supervisors! No, I’m not complaining. I’m actually thrilled to have John as part of my PhD circles because I had always admired his excellent work in geminates. In fact, he was the person whom I requested to be my supervisor six months ago before Janet came into the picture. But he recommended Janet’s expertise for some professional reasons. And now, I have John to complete the family photo, sitting right next to my two lovely mothers. He could be my long-lost father in Melbourne. No, no, no… John is too young to be a father to me. Maybe I should call him a Geminate Brother.
“Well, how would you get Kelantan speakers in Melbourne for your experiments?” asked John.
“Oh, the Kelantanese are all around the world.” I answered confidently. “I’m sure they are hiding somewhere around Melbourne!”
John looked at me with suspicion. He had no idea what I talked about and I really had no idea what I talked about. But I think I nailed it well because the meeting ended with a genuine smile on everybody’s faces. I just couldn’t wait to start the experiments. The research ethics application has already been approved. As the research plan starts to materialize, I’m getting more nervous. It feels surreal to begin a real laboratory work. For the next six months, I will concentrate on my preliminary data and the preparation for confirmation. It will be six months of practical works. Six months of physical and mental labour. Six months of acoustic fun.
And I’m so ready to begin to work hard and play even harder!
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Don’t know any in Melbourne but there’s a handful in Sydney. You can “spicking” Kelantan with them till the cows come home…Just ask my Mama to introduce you next time you visit your darling, OK? purrr….meow!
I look forward to “spicking” to your Mama too, Angie
Salam,
Mie,
Itu dia semangat dan istiqamah yang mula menunjukkan hasil
. Proud of your effort.
Good luck and all the best.
p/s: Saya baru bermula dengan proposal master of art – communication
…long way to go….
Salam Aliff.
Thanks. It’s never too late to begin something that you have always wanted to begin. Work and work and work
salam sir. how are doing there? from your entry, i can see you are doing fine. glad to know it. ahaaa suddenly feel want to say few words… million thanks, i was learnt a lot from your blog. besides to improve my English, i also enjoy to read your stories! hehehe…
so please post many many pictures with wonderful stories! take care! (“,)
Salam Zatil.
I’m doing great here. Thanks for your words. Glad you enjoy my musings. Yep, I’ll keep disturbing your life with my writing. Just make sure you are always around.
Cheers!