A supervision meeting scheduled on Friday was postponed to next week. I’ve been spending this week attending seminars and outlining Chapter 4 and my conference paper at quite a slow pace. When waiting for feedback on my draft from supervisors, I always have mixed feelings, with nervousness, excitement, a bit of relaxation after writing it up, and a hint of the storm!

I’ve been struggling with work, and my research progress is falling behind the initial schedule. I feel as if any perspective I have has been getting narrower regarding the topic, arguments, writing style, and lifestyle in general. Some people gave me this advice:

‘Expose yourself to a wide variety of context, not just academic! Watch TV programmes or listen to the radio.’

‘Please make your writing simple!’

‘Do whatever you like in your spare time and avoid feeling stressed out!’

‘Consult people when you have concerns about your work.’

‘Join a society at uni!’

I will take this advice. Today I made a quiche while listening to Hawaiian radio (makes me feel so loose) and spoke to a colleague to arrange to meet for drinks next week.

I am also thinking that, in my blog, I would like to share not just my PhD diary but also a quick and helpful tips series for communication skills. This is my field of studies and is something I learnt mostly in Tokyo and Switzerland throughout my business career. Sometimes I am asked for tips for communicating with Japanese people in business. It is certainly a great pleasure for me to pass my experience on to others, which does not happen so frequently in my PhD life.

Spinach and Onion Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust

A quiche with a creamy and silky filling is certainly not diet food, unfortunately. But I love the savoury pie and was looking for healthier quiche recipes for daily meals. I found this recipe, Spinach and Feta Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust, and made it! I reduced the amount of egg mixture and used skimmed milk.

It turned out that using sweet potato can be much quicker than making regular pie crust; the whole process took me just one hour. The sweet potato is so tender, a good combination with spinach, onion, mushroom and shrimp. The quiche tastes very light and delicious! I will definitely make this again, trying different combinations of ingredients. (If you use a quiche tin, don’t forget to line baking sheet.)

My achievements in week 97

• Enjoyed making the quiche.

Goals for week 98

• Work on Chapter 4 and conference paper.
• Have a meaningful supervision day with my supervisors.
• Enjoy drinks with my colleagues.