As Fi Bows to Peer Pressure

I just made a most delicious dinner for myself. I’m back in Waresley and discovering the difficulties of cooking for just one person. Nevertheless I made a fantastic sausage casserole with mashed potato and now have enough left over for tomorrow’s lunch. I am soooo full and definitely made to live with people caus cooking for one on an everyday basis is too difficult for me.

I haven’t had the most productive of weekends for my dissertation but I have spent a lot of time lying on the trampoline thinking about life, love, friends, lots of stuff really. Looking at the sky for hours is very relaxing and it did provide me with lots of time to think about clarifying my argument for my dissertation too so the time wasn’t completely wasted. Some of my thinking has been mental torture. I pull myself down, wonder whether I’m good enough, and generally struggle to understand why things happen the way they do but much of it is tied to being alone in a large house with just a dog and a cat who hates me to keep me company. I was meant to be a social person, yet another good reason to never live alone. Talking to friends has helped to make me feel much better. Never fear, it’s not a permanent state of mind.

I have a second job interview with VSO (voluntary service overseas) this week. I had my first interview and a written exercise with them last Wednesday and apparently it went so well that they’re inviting me back for a second to do another exercise and meet more of the team. The job is working as their Research and Analysis Manager and it’s based in London. It’s a new role and I’m really keen so we’ll see what happens.

My dissertation is about how New Zealand’s aid programme has failed to provide the right incentives for good governance in Fiji. It looks at the problems of being a small donor and whether there is enough donor harmonisation as well as awareness of the institutional needs of the recipient. It is called “Trouble in Paradise - Examining a small donor’s attempts for good governance in Fiji” or words to that effect. Anyone want to say anything? I’d appreciate any comments on the title and how to make it sound better. Hardcore writing begins tomorrow.