An update after a period of drought....

Gillian and Sean cut their cake...


How many brides can claim to have played the bagpipes at their own wedding?!


The crystal clear waters of Glendalough lake


The tower at Glendelough - the beautiful phallic symbol of Ireland before the arrival of the spire

December 18th and my last bit of news appears to be from Bilbao! I have been breathing and causing trouble since then. In fact the last four months have been rather eventful....
A valid starting point would seem to be the departure from Brighton and Sussex University. After an intense year of theory and engaging research, it seemed my future lay in another land. The departure was not in the usual airborne fashion, but instead involved a very fast moving van and water. It was very Charlie's angels, with no brunette but instead two redheads, a tabby and a blonde. Wales was done in an hour at 100mph, and the ferry passed by quickly as we 'sang' along to Mamma Mia.
A move back to an old home, but everything was new and exciting. It was like seeing Ireland through eyes, and it was a place that I was happy to be. University College Dublin was to be my new home away from home, and I immediately felt a part. The work is exciting, the teaching adventurous, the guidance priceless and the opportunities many.
October saw the wedding of one of my dearest friends Gillian, on the border between Cork and Kerry. The wedding was beautiful and a lovely opportunity to catch up with old friends. October also involved a visit to London to catch up with Dara and my dad. I also slipped in a day in Brighton to see friends left behind in Sussex, and to pick up the much desired cupcakes of Angel Bakery. In November, Zander came to visit me from Scotland, and we made it to Glendalough and the Guiness Store House.
Cait and I made it over to Barcelona for the last visit to the wee one at the very end of the month. We shopped till we dropped and ate till we almost burst!
So there you have it - the last four months of Siobhán's world. I promise that one of my New Year's resolutions will be to get back on track with the blog. I shall end with one of my favourite quotes of this year:
"We ground things, now, on a moving earth" J. Clifford

Bilbao - home of the Guggenheim

Lots of cider and traditional Basque food


The building itself


Wandering the streets of the old town


The prettiest shoe in the smallest foot


Enjoying Bilbao's nightlife

The trip across Portugal ended in the beautiful Northern Spanish city of Bilbao. This was the site of the IMISCOE annual conference for 2008, and more importantly the home of the fantastic Guggenheim.
For our first evening in Bilbao we were treated to a traditional Basque dinner in large barn like restaurant equipped with its own cider barrels. These produced endless quantities of ciders, much to our delight.
The following day was the beginning of the conference. The day of seminars and discussions ended with a trip to the famous Guggenheim. The museum was closed to the public, and we wandered in luxury; which was followed by the most interesting standing buffet dinner.
On the second day of the conference I presented my proposed work for my PhD. It was well received, and I walked away pleased with what I had achieved. That night it was time to say goodbye to friends as I headed back to Ireland to start the next chapter my of life.

Portuguese Wedding

Now that's what I call leaving the church in style


The vows moment


Preety girls in pretty dresses


Queen of the casa


View of the town where wedding took place


Pretty girls in the pretty old casa


Beautiful abandoned building


Linnet and I on top of the world

I know this has been too long coming. On the 6th of September my office mate from Sussex Ines tied the note with her man in the lovely Portuguese countryside. Sussex was well represented and we had a really wonderful time. The wedding itself was so personal, a real reflection of the happy couple. We were treated to wonderful music and champagne after the ceremony; followed by a lovely meal around the court yard of the old town hotel. The evening continued well into the early hours of the morning with the groom singing and lots of great 80s hits. Definitely a wedding to remember.
Myself, Linnet, Christina, Richard and Fran continued on through the Portuguese mountains making out way to Bilbao for the IMISCOE conference. It is a breath taking country, and one that I would love to revisit one day. The people are warm, welcoming and the fish is divine.

It's been too long I know....

This is a picture that Linnet took in the Guggenheim museum of one of my favourite pieces by Juan Muñoz. We weren't allowed to take pictures so I love that she captured the moment so well.
In the past week I have been 'abused' twice for neglecting my blog, and I must say rightly so as I have so much to write but no time in which to do it. My only excuse is that for the past month I have been mainly out of a bag and have managed to be in 4 countries in the space of a couple of days! I will give detailed accounts of each of the following: Ines's wedding, the IMISCOE conference and Gillian's hen night in the next few days I promise.
But I just thought I would give a brief word of where I am and where I started from initially. I am now sitting in my new office in UCD in Dublin feeling the Irish cold. It's been a crazy couple of weeks moving, unpacking, cleaning and starting a whole new chapter in my life. All is good in UCD so far; everyone is nice and helpful and I just have to catch up with all the readings for my courses. YES I have to do courses!
Leaving Sussex happened so fast that it is still hard to comprehend that it is all over. It was one of the best years of my life so far. Although I worked harder than I ever have before, I also learned so much and met some of the most incredible people - people who I won't be getting rid of anytime soon. It was a fantastic year, but I leave with the knowledge that my time there is definitely over, and that there is something else that is meant for me out there. I thank all the people who taught me so well over the year, and all the friends whom I've made.

Visitors to Brighton - oh and London...

Lazing on Brighton beach


She found it in plaster!!!


HC and Mishu in my back garden enjoying a lazy English afternoon


Caitriona does Audrey Hepburn on the Downs


Pimms in Greenwich Market


Enjoying good wine and good theatre


Tired after a long, but wonderful day


The wears of the Borough Market

The week of the 21st of July saw an international invasion of foreigners in Brighton! Anna came from Sweden, HC from Norway and Caitriona and Ciaran from Ireland. They also seemed to bring the sunshine with them, as I was privileged to show off Brighton beach and streets in the glorious hot weather. Of course there was lots of good food involved, including the fish and chips shop around the corner from my house which is claimed to be the 10th best in the UK! We also managed to slip in the odd glass of wine with lunch to make the merriment complete. Mishu joined our fun, and it was great to catch up with old Dhaka days.
Wednesday brought the group to Sussex campus where they lounged in my office and met friends made between intense hours of work. We also had lunch in the famous IDS restaurant where I spend must of my eating life in Sussex. After lunch we went for a lovely, although hot, walk across the South Downs to the quaint village of Lewes; where we were to enjoy the great hospitality of Linnet, Chris, Maggie and Michu. The evening would not have been complete with a visit to the local pub, and we managed to fit in two; both enjoyed in the consistently entertaining company of Christina.
Thursday was to take us to London where we did the 'untouristy' tour. This involved lots of hot trips on the underground, Greenwich Market, a trip on the Thames, Soho and best of all that evening - a trip to the open air theatre in Regents Park to see 12th Night. We also managed to add Vic to our party latter in the day over cocktails in Soho (although all agreed a far second to Daiquiris in the American Club!).
Friday brought another market, this time it was the famous Borough food market. We spent the day wondering around the various stalls tasting everything. Anna and I became Vic's official cheese taster, which of course I was too happy to be! After lunch we met Nabil and a friend of his and had a beer on the banks of the Thames. All too soon it was time for all to go their separate ways, and me back to the slog of Sussex (well for two days anyway, then I came here to sunny France to hang with Ma - its a hard life).

Words cannot describe

Last Thursday night I got an email that has changed my life forever! I have been awarded a full scholarship to finish the three years of my PhD in UCD, Ireland. I cannot begin to describe how this makes me feel. All the years of not sure where I was headed, or really not sure what 'career' was meant for me seemed just a course to the present. It means three years in Dublin which has caused me to engage in an intense mental exercise with my own conscious, but the outcome is now clear - excitement. Not only will I be doing the research which I have become so passionately involved with, but I will live in a city which I know under it all I have a fervent relationship with. I love it, I hate it, but most of all I know it; and that excites me. It will be a change to return to places and faces that I know. I will try and not see it all as research, but also as a personal journey of discovery.
I cannot help, although I know mum you tell me not to, on those gone before who lacked belief in my temperamental nature, stubbornness, and perhaps sometimes a lack of focus. They gave up on me and wanted those nearest and dearest to me to do the same. But thankfully for me they didn't! There are some very special people who have been with me always - my mother and sister who have always picked me when I was down, and told me to get over myself. My father who always ends his phone conversation with 'I am proud to be your father', it makes me smile every time! All my friends through the years, but mainly to Caitriona who has been a friend and a sister for the longest time. Gillian and Tasneem - two of the most inspirational women I have met in my academic life - they have really shaped my work to what it is today
This year at Sussex has also been inspirational, and the people have been wonderful; it will be sad to leave but I know it is the right move. To my fabulous office mates who listened to the countless proposals; to Linnet who is my biggest support and to Jamie for making me apply in the first place.
So who knows what the next three years will bring, but I embark on them with anticipation and excitement; I am ready to change the world - well at least my world.

Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do. B. Spock

Shazia's wedding

The happy couple


The bride's 'new' family


Katrin and I


The bride, groom and I

Last Friday, my good friend Shazia got married to Fuwad in Leytonstone, London in a lovely hall called the Ivory Mansion. Shazia and I met in 2001 in Cambridge High School in Abu Dhabi. The school was not the best, and we had a lot of fun 'playing' with the administration! But the best part was the friendships formed and maintained half way across the world. It was a privilege to be there on her special day, and to wear my favourite Sawa Khamis all the way from the desh.
Katrin came with me so she could experience a true Asian wedding. We arrived on time at 6, but of course all of the other guests were late! The bride was surprisingly punctual arriving at 7.45. She looked amazing and was glowing in all her red and sparkling jewels. We ate a delicious meal, and then the photographic frenzy began. I did manage to speak to Shaz for a few minutes as well! The music in the background reminded me of the tunes we played as we drove Billy (Shaz's car) around the streets of Abu Dhabi and Dubai back in the day.
It was a lovely evening, and I was so happy to be there to share their special day. I look forward to meeting Fuwad properly in Dubai and catching up.

A lovely June wedding

They really did it...


Frances, Caitriona and I pre-wedding


Just married!


Some of the 'old crew'


The bride with the boys (Tim and Dylan)


Sarah and Manus giving it loads on the dance floor

Last Saturday I was invited to Gareth and Niamh's wedding in Dublin. It was an honour to be there for their special day, see them get married and party into the night with them. The ceremony was in a lovely wee church in Cabinteely, where the priest told lovely stories since he knew both families, and the whole wedding and church spoke of the happy couple. The wedding reception was in an amazing art and antiques gallery in Stillorgan where we enjoyed great food, plenty wine and touching speeches; the bride had even made the wedding cake herself!
After the formalities we danced the night away to great music with old and new friends. It was lovely to catch up with some of the old crew from the MPhil, and we missed the people who couldn't be there. All in all it was a fantastic wedding, and I wish the happy couple a long and happy life together.

Wimbledon

Watching Wimbledon every summer as a child when back from Sudan, is one of one of my most vivid sporting memories. I remember the names, the grass, the royal box and the glamorous dress. On Tuesday I got to be a part of the whole event when Francesca and I managed to get centre court tickets! With incredible luck Francesca was able to buy the tickets the night before minutes after the website was opened; this saved us hours of dawn queuing.
Being there was exactly as I expected it would be with the green lawns everywhere, the Pimms and the sophistication. We sat on Hennman's hill and had our pre-packed picnic watching the people go by as the sun blazed down. Play started at 1 on centre court with Venus Williams against Cavaday, a young English player. Next came the very talented easy on the eye Spanish player Nadal. The match was not that exciting, ut he was a pleasure to watch! The final watch of the day was between Santaro, a name of old, and Murray, an up and coming English player. Murray came out victorious after a well matched and exciting game.
The entire day was amazing, and definitely lived up to my expectations of Wimbledon. Thanks so much to Francesca to her amazing refreshing ability on ticketmaster website.
And for the evidence:

Allotment -- a little piece of heaven

My house mate and co-allotmenter Emily taking a rest at the allotment


The asparagus bed - they grow overnight I promise!!


View across the allotment


The view from the top across the allotments to Brighton and the sea.

I have thought about this entry for a week but failed to do anything about it, which isn't surprising these days when I find I have to remind myself to eat! So unlike me I know, but who knew that there would come a day when Siobhán would undertake a task that completely absorbed her a PhD!
Anyways, I am a part member of a very pretty allotment on one of the many hills of Brighton. It was passed down to me by my former house-mate before he moved to the Netherlands. Now it is planting and weeding season, but we have already eaten some of our own grown asparagus and rhubarb - delicious! Last week I had had a very busy and frustrating day, and didn't feel like doing anything. Emily suggested that we go up to the allotment after work and do some watering. Once up there I realised just how wonderful it is up there. The sun was shinning and I could see all the way across Brighton to the sea.
Sometimes its the simplest things that make the most difference.

RMMRU comes to Sussex

It was strange and wonderful to have some of my past collide with my present last week when I had lunch with Tasneem Siddiqui and Prof Abrar, my bosses from Bangladesh. They are here for a number of meetings and a conference in London. Penny came down from upstairs (the restaurant is in IDS where she works), and Benji and Vic from London. Vic came down the night before and we chilled, like the old Dhaka days which was lovely.
It almost seemed unreal to be sitting in the restaurant where I often eat my lunch with another part of my life being relived in front of me. It made me miss the Desh, and my colleagues at RMMRU. It really was a wonderful time and experience.

People of Sudan

I had to create a separate entry for the people from my trip, because they are just all so special. I begin with Medani: my dad and I stayed with Hibat, Osama and Maha. Hibat's family were our family's closest friends when we lived in Medani, and took the place of our own families who were far away at the other side of the world. So it was like seeing my aunt and cousins for the first time in 14 years, and that feeling cannot be put in words. After cooking and eating a wonderful Sudanese meal, we went to the 'family home' for more hugs and stories, and of course more eating. I spent many many hours running around the el tayeb house causing havoc, and I was reminded of all these stories much to everyone's amusement!

Maha and I preparing dinner - a long way from our days of causing war in their yard!


Maha, Hibat and I in the yard of Abdel Sattar School


Hualle, Maha and I after cooking a delicious Sudanese dinner

On Saturday we went to visit Laila Mukhasfi who was one of my mum's closest friends when we lived there. Once again it was like meeting a lost part of my family. Duaa, her eldest daughter is now studying dentistry - she was 7 when we left! Leila now has two other daughters, Alaa and Samaa whom I had never meet.

Leila, her sister and daughters

Sunday and Monday, back in Khartoum I was to be given the best gift of all - tracking down my old friends from school. You must remember that when we left Sudan in 1991 and even when we visited in 1994, there were no mobile phones and email was not even a notion. Not finding my friends in Medani was heartbreaking, but we were given a number for Hajir's father - who was one of Dara's closest friends in school. I called Hajir on the road back from Khartoum and then came the disbelief and joy; we had to meet that night of course. I spent the night chatting with Hajir and her family, and we even phoned Dara! The best part was when it turned out that Hajir's brother Khalid was good friends with my friend Lena's brother Mohammed. I got her number and could not believe that she was in fact working in Khartoum as a doctor - we were to meet the next day!

Hajir, Shaza and their mum and dad


Hajir and Intisar - Dara's partners in crime from school

Lena was my best friend from day one in primary school. I knew how to say 'hello' and 'I am hungry' in Arabic and a few other words but not much at all. But from the moment the teacher sat me down beside her in grade 1, we didn't even need to be able to speak to each other, we were inseparable. I have so many memories running around their house, cooking very bad food for Lena and Dara in our house, and the sad time of sitting on her bed when we were 8, holding her hand the day her father died. I was shaking with emotion as Hajir and I walked up to the hospital, and just wanted to burst into tears when I saw her. Nothing had changed, we may be 29 but it is like I left yesterday! The coincidences were amazing of what we like, what we had done and were we are in our lives today – I guess we were such a big part of each others lives for so long.
The last days in Khartoum were fabulous. I hung out with Lena, Hajir, Intisar and her daughter Lena, Mubarak and Ahmed. We ate, chatted and sat by the Nile drinking coffee. I kept pinching myself to make sure that it was real. It can't be so long till next time, I realise that now; Sudan is just too much a part of my soul! But I left carrying mobile numbers, emails and lots of promises, so at least this time it is not a complete separation.

Sitting by the Nile with Lena, Hajir, Intisar, little Lena, Ahmed and Mubarak


Lena and I enjoying the coolness beside the Nile