Hmm....
So a year ago, the McGrunts were in England, and I think at this moment we were having some just-us time in Wales, touring castles and swimming in the heated pool at the guest cottages where we were staying. Then we went to London, and came home, and I was so so so bummed to be back here. I am missing England again this Christmas. We didn't go this year because we couldn't afford it, and because we figured I'd be neck-deep in dissertation writing. Well, we still can't afford it, but the dissertation writing has come to a near-stop while I wait for my test EEG data to get processed. So we enjoyed Christmas here, and I've been trying to keep myself occupied. It's not hard, there's always things to do, but I did get wistful for England again.
And then in my email comes this call for papers for a conference in London next summer. About neurological research in music therapy. And engineering collaborating with music therapy. Holy crap, it's like the whole thing was put together just for my research! Well, not exactly... the organizers are doing research primarily in r/t "neurodisability" and my research doesn't get into that at all, _but_ I did check with them and they're welcoming any papers about neuro research in MT. So yesterday I put an abstract together and I'm going to finalize it today. Awesome. I've also applied to present at the European Congress in Spain in May of next year, so if I got accepted to present at both that would be hilarious. May in Spain and June in London. The logistics would be interesting, but we could figure something out if it came down to it. Heck, just let me daydream on this scenario, alright? :)
But I did find it funny that last year, close to this time, I was realizing I'd need to really start networking if I ever wanted to do any work in England, and here the opportunities are coming. Very cool. I think this coming spring and summer will be conference crazy, though, if this all comes to pass -- have to work up something for the regional conference in the spring (being on the research committee has its perks as well as responsibilities) as well as these other ones, if they come through. I hope to hear in the next several days if my proposal was accepted from the Euro Congress, fingers crossed.
In the meantime, though I was wistful for England, we did have a lovely Christmas here at home -- quiet but fun and full of laughter and storytelling, as only my mom and my sister can make it. And Julia is now at an age where she is cognizant of what's going on, and was absolutely psyched to get so many cool presents and enjoy everyone's company. She continues to grow physically and cognitively by leaps and bounds, and blows our mind every day. One of her Christmas presents was an old-school Jack-in-the-Box, and every time the Jack popped up out of the box, she would say, "That's Susie!" Neil and I couldn't figure out why she was calling it Susie... until she finally said once, "Susie woke up!" And then Neil remembered that he'd been playing a lot of Everly Brothers in the car lately, including their classic hit, "Wake Up, Little Susie"... and all the pieces fell into place. Fantastic.
Hope whoever is reading this (who the hell does read this anyway?) had a wonderful Christmas and will have a great and fortuitous New Year. We are excited here for what's to come, while enjoying all the wonderfulness we have today.
And then in my email comes this call for papers for a conference in London next summer. About neurological research in music therapy. And engineering collaborating with music therapy. Holy crap, it's like the whole thing was put together just for my research! Well, not exactly... the organizers are doing research primarily in r/t "neurodisability" and my research doesn't get into that at all, _but_ I did check with them and they're welcoming any papers about neuro research in MT. So yesterday I put an abstract together and I'm going to finalize it today. Awesome. I've also applied to present at the European Congress in Spain in May of next year, so if I got accepted to present at both that would be hilarious. May in Spain and June in London. The logistics would be interesting, but we could figure something out if it came down to it. Heck, just let me daydream on this scenario, alright? :)
But I did find it funny that last year, close to this time, I was realizing I'd need to really start networking if I ever wanted to do any work in England, and here the opportunities are coming. Very cool. I think this coming spring and summer will be conference crazy, though, if this all comes to pass -- have to work up something for the regional conference in the spring (being on the research committee has its perks as well as responsibilities) as well as these other ones, if they come through. I hope to hear in the next several days if my proposal was accepted from the Euro Congress, fingers crossed.
In the meantime, though I was wistful for England, we did have a lovely Christmas here at home -- quiet but fun and full of laughter and storytelling, as only my mom and my sister can make it. And Julia is now at an age where she is cognizant of what's going on, and was absolutely psyched to get so many cool presents and enjoy everyone's company. She continues to grow physically and cognitively by leaps and bounds, and blows our mind every day. One of her Christmas presents was an old-school Jack-in-the-Box, and every time the Jack popped up out of the box, she would say, "That's Susie!" Neil and I couldn't figure out why she was calling it Susie... until she finally said once, "Susie woke up!" And then Neil remembered that he'd been playing a lot of Everly Brothers in the car lately, including their classic hit, "Wake Up, Little Susie"... and all the pieces fell into place. Fantastic.
Hope whoever is reading this (who the hell does read this anyway?) had a wonderful Christmas and will have a great and fortuitous New Year. We are excited here for what's to come, while enjoying all the wonderfulness we have today.