Sushi rolls called ‘Salad Maki’

I attended Christmas socials at my school and enjoyed having a chat with colleagues whom I had not had an opportunity to talk to on campus. We also discussed our research methods and shared some concerns about analysis over drinks. We do not have such exchanges very often because most of my colleagues are busy teaching, and we rarely see each other in the office. It was very useful to exchange our thoughts and experiences of research life.

This week I submitted my application for a funding opportunity. This is my third try; my two applications earlier this year were not successful. My supervisors keep encouraging me to apply over and over again, saying ‘you are now in a stronger position’. Some of my colleagues got funding for the final year of their PhD studies. So, your next attempt is more likely to succeed than the previous one in the early stage of research. I really hope it will be ‘third time lucky’.

Some of the participants in my research have helped me with further recruitment, and I made contact with three more healthcare professionals. I am sincerely grateful for their support and advice. My study is going to be a co-production of knowledge from all the participants and advisers. Day by day, I look upon myself more and more as a learner, and my participants as teachers.

One more achievement from Week 50 was that I completed all the coursework for an online course. In January I started a two-year online programme of language teaching (Japanese), and have just finished the first-half course of the programme for 2017. I will take the latter course over the next year. I found the programme very useful, especially as my teaching experience helped me to understand how each method actually works in a classroom.

In my spare time, I enjoyed making a sushi roll called Salad Maki with ingredients of a salad: cucumber, lettuce (I forgot to use it), imitation crab sticks, omelette and Japanese kewpie mayonnaise. The combination of sushi rice and the salad ingredients are very compatible and popular in Japan. Many people say that Salad Maki, like California Roll, is not traditional Japanese sushi, but Salad Maki is commonly found in Japan. I grew up with it. Sushi Roll is not usually on the menu in traditional sushi restaurants in Japan, but you can still ask the chef to make it for you.

Goals for Week 51:

• Edit and update my paper to send it to an online journal
• Work on my proposals to apply for two conferences
• Enjoy Christmas shopping and treats with Luca (our first Christmas together!)