Done with research proposal

I handed in my second exam today in research methodology. The exam was to write a research proposal on 2000 words. My plan was to do it on the topic I will write my thesis on later, but I still do not know what I want to write about so I ended writing about something I had a few essay's about before. It was good practice, but time consuming. I handed it in today at 11 and talked a little with the lecturer. She is in her mid-thirties and has made research methodology as fun as it can get. Today we talked about rugby and the World Cup and I will definitively ask her about my thesis later, and I know she will be happy to give advices. I actually feel that all three of the lecturers this semesters care and are talking with you when you have a question, something that is always nice. I actually have a deal to have a drink with another lecturer when she finish grading the exams. It is nice to feel that you are treated more as a future researcher, than as merely a student. 

So I am very happy about that, but also very tired. Even if I have been sleeping fairly well lately my head has been working constantly and I never had time to relax as it has always been an upcoming assignment or exam. But now I have almost two weeks until the last exam and I intend to read some non school literature. Yesterday I bought a book by Carlos Ruiz Zafon named 'The Angel's Game', I just started it and is very excited about that. I read another book of him before that definitely are amongst my favorites, namely ' The Shadow of the Wind'. 

Later today I will bake boller and cinnamon boller, before I have a early night. Then I have an even earlier morning tomorrow since I am planing on climbing Stellenbosch Mountain tonight and see the sunrise. Tomorrow we will have people over for coffee and karsk before I go watch rugby and football. It is the semifinals in the top 14 tournament (the champions league of rugby) and both Pretoria and Cape Town have reached the semi final. That starts at 5, then the second game at 7, before it is champions league final at 9 so it will be quiet a sports day. 

     

Exam's and rain

Yesterday I handed in my first exam :) It is always a great feeling. We had three days to write an essay, which is not a bad way to have an exam. With three days, in comparison to the two days we had in Oslo I never felt a big pressure around it. I worked from 8 - 8 more or less each day and relaxed the rest. Even if the I had little time pressure and slept well I was really tired when I handed it in. Strange how the head is a lot more nervous and occupied than it should. My plan of relaxing through the exam period and not be to stressed is therefore not going as planned. It is nonetheless really nice to be done with the first one.
My next deadline is the 21 of May and I started working on that now, or I am procrastinating a little, considering I am writing on the blog. I was very nervous about this next one a few days ago, but now I think it will go fairly well. I have to make a research proposal on around 2000 words, which is not much, but to use the right method, research design and so on will take some time. I luckily found my question and can now just do everything around.

The last week we have had a lot of rain. People are complaining about the winter, but the temperature is like a cold summer day home. I therefore find it hard to bother about it, considering that I like this temperature more. It feels a little fresh, and the air always is so clean after it has been raining. The temperature is perfect for exercising and I am exited about focusing more on that when the exams are done.

The first people have already left for the summer. Jos already left for home and I think Tove and Tonje leaves in a few weeks. Then Matti and I get the house for ourselves, which will be nice.

28 days until the World Cup and 27 days until I hand in my final exam.

Last day with classes

I find it a little hard to believe that I finished my last class for this semester. It is a little hard to believe I am almost half way through my master.

At class today with finished with a conference around Iran's nuclear ambitions. We where divided in groups a few weeks ago and was later given an international relation theory. My group had to present the Iranian situation by using the theory of offensive realism. That is not the hardest theory to use, but it is always hard to argue with arguments you not always support and by following the assumption of the assigned theory. Some of the group where present from a gender perspective, something that was more interesting and definitely more challenging. After each presentation we received or asked question about the presentation. It was very funny, the first two hours! Anyhow, I just have 1 paper, 2 home exams and one research proposal to do before vacation and the WORLD CUP.

Yesterday I had my last french exam, and my oral exam was better than my written exam. The written exam was not hard, but my talent for grammar once again proved to fail me. Regardless of what I understood. Today I will make crepes and watch a french movie with some friends, whom all speaks french very well. It will be a nice celebration of the end of the beginning on my way to learn french.

The last two weeks we have had amazing weather, blue sky and sun each day and not much wind. Even if the temperature are lower it was nice, like a Norwegian summer. However, two days ago it started to rain, and since then it has not stopped. I knew this is how the autumn and winter will be, but still, I would have preferred sun.
I also visited Kayamandi the other day. Kayamandi is a small township (ca 33 000) that lies in walking distance (15min) from Stellenbosch. People in Stellenbosch often say that Kayamandi, is a nice township. A statement that is quiet incredible. Half of its inhabitants lives in informal houses, or shacks. Which literary are tree houses that have lower standard then the one my brother and I built before we started school. It is really sad to see this less than 15min from nicer parts of Stellenbosch. Areas that consists of nice houses, huge, with pools, big gardens, garages to several cars and whatever you feels you need. One do not stop to reflect upon how this is accepted to such a degree and almost wonders why it is as peaceful. The only argument I find is that most people are peace seeking and not prone to violence nor conflicts, regardless of their situation. My sympathy for the Greeks and their protest also reached a low point.

I will also celebrate the 17 of May this year. ANSA is arranging an event with Den Norske Foreningen in Cape Town. I am actually looking forward to celebrate it. I have also updated the ANSA webpage for South Africa. It is fairly easy but with my limited skills it took me some time, back and forth. But I finished in the end.

It is also a little sad that the semester is ending. A lot of my friends are exchange students which will go home during the following month. I am used to the situation now, but I am looking forward to the day I can keep friends for longer than a semester or two.

JJ