#MicroblogsMonday: Bad news, Good News, Good News

No Fulbright for me. Gutted to say the least, not sure what I could have done differently as the interview went very well, so hopefully I will get a better idea when I get feedback in April. Maybe there was just a better candidate!

Meanwhile I had also been shortlisted for internal funding through my University to sponsor the trip the the US, I went for interview and I heard just last friday that they funded me! They did cut the budget (expected) but it's still better than nothing.

Both Mike and I will retain our salary for the duration of our stay (we have booked the flights, 29th of May-24th of August) which is great news and we have probably also found a house to rent in Davis too!

#MicroblogsMonday: Fulbright shorlisting

I have been shortlisted for interview for the Fulbright Scholarship!!! Oh my god I'm so so happy!! It's a VERY long shot, there are just a handful of these awards every year allocated to Ireland and I made it through the first round of selection!! I don't know how many have been shortlisted, could be 20 people or more for a few places, but still! It would still be for Davis but for summer 2016!!
Interview on the 30th of January, send good wishes my way!

#MicroblogsMonday: Inside Out

Has anyone seen the trailer of the new Pixar movie Inside Out? I can't wait to see it next summer!!
I often thought how it would be if someone could see what's going on inside someone's mind and now there is a movie! Well, to be perfectly honest I also often thought "imagine if someone knew what I am fantasising this very minute...it would be so embarrassing!!"

#MicroblogsMonday: The Walking Dead

The series is in its fifth season and we only started watching the show about two weeks ago. I don't know how it happens but I obviously discover fab series well into their galore when they have won popularity contests year on year. It happened with How I met your mother, Grey's anatomy, House... and so I go on a binge of a couple of episodes per night and feel like I am actually in the series...it's so so odd! We are now finished season two and I just can't wait to get going with season 3. I may have caught up by the time the season break is over.
Of course this is a totally different kind of show which if someone had mentioned to me I would have probably thought it was a load of crap...zombies?? Come on...that's so 1990s, right? But no, this is fab and has me watching it from behind a warm blanket on the couch, never alone and thinking what will happen next. I then check my very strong composite door is properly locked and go to bed.

Arrgh...any other series I'm missing?

#MicroblogMondays Work and Anxiety hand in hand

I did not get shortlisted for the first job I applied to a month ago. I found this out on Saturday night. No, I didn't get an email, they leave you hanging. Only shortlisted people get the email. I was so upset. Mostly as I felt I was worthless. I got a bit better when I heard that one person that was shortlisted was an internal candidate at post doc level. So if they want a junior position then I am overqualified. I wish they told me rather than give me hope. I was really hoping to get called.

I'm having a mammogram and ultrasound on wedensday. The GP referred me just to be super cautious after my visit last week to the Breast Clinic. Somehow I thought it would be a few weeks before they called me and she said it was going to be non urgent. When I got the call this morning for an appointment this Wednesday I nearly fell off the chair. The lady explained that as I have private health insurance they have reserved slots every Wednesday. There is no emergency, no rush put by consultant, only they had a vacant slot and wanted to know if I wanted it. I took it. And I'm shaking since.

#MicroblogMondays giving this a go

Right, I'll try this one too.

I just found out from a friend who lives in our same estate that there is a strong possibility at least part of the development is affected by pyrite. Tests came up positive for two houses. What this means is that if quarry the builders used at the time they build your house was contaminated, the foundations of your building are unstable. Overtime they will shift and expand and eventually the house will collapse. Collapse. It must be remediated. There is a national remediation board but our estate was never considered "at risk" so a major process will need to be initiated to get funding to repair the foundation. Can take up to 2 years. While the works are going on, for 3 months, you have to move out. I can't bare to think about it. If we come up positive the house is unsellable in its current state.

If you want to find out more about #MicroblogMondays click here