It's official...I am Dr. Anna

I am just back from Dublin, where I had been doing my Ph.D. up until last November. This time I went there to graduate!! I am now officially Dr. Anna Trias or Anna Trias Ph.D., whichever you prefer. I am over the moon! I had an amazing day from start to finish. My lovely fiancee and myself flew to Dublin and my parents also flew in from Spain for the occasion. We woke up and headed to Trinity College to visit the department where I have worked for the past 4 years. My ex-supervisor was very kind and gave my family a little tour around the place. Later on we all got dressed up for the occasion, me with the required colour scheme of black and white. We arrived at the Examination Hall, where the ceremony was to take place, and put on my gown: Yellow and Red are the colours for the Ph.D. candidates. Women were also required to wear the square cap.

This is me with the attire on

It was a sunny and windy day and the wretched gown was making me H-O-T. At 2:40 the campanile bell started to sound indicating the entrance of the spectators and Master candidates. All of us Ph.D. candidates (around 100 of us) were directed to a tiny room, where we were put in alphabetical order. This took ages and we were all hot and ready to go. At about 3:30 we started to come out and into the examination hall while people outside were cheering, and inside the hall the organ was playing a beautiful melody. Everyone was looking at us and it was one of the best feelings i've had.

Me in the background second to the left entering the Hall

My ex-supervisor also came. The ceremony was completely in latin and I only understood the odd word. But it was very emotional and I felt very proud when it was my time to go up and collect my title from the hands of Ireland's ex-president Mary Robinson.

Me receiving my diploma

After the graduation ceremony was over, we left in procession and I saw my proud parents in the audience and my fiancee perching over the railing of the mezzanine!! We all went to a reception with drinks and nibbles and I got to have a picture taken with Mary Robinson!

Me and Mary Robinson.

After that we headed for Cafe en Seine, the poshest place in town. We had some drinks with friends from the Department. Thank you for coming guys.

Ton, Shawn and me in Cafe en Seine

Later on my parents and fiancee went for an absolutely spectacular meal to my favourite restaurant: Yamamori. The best Japanese place ever. The food was particularly good that night!!!

So that was my graduation day, perfect from top to bottom. A day to remember with the people I love the most.

Kev and me (pardon my closed eyes)

Mum and Dad and me

Mum and me

I am lucky!

People I like

Lately I haven't been able to craft all that much due to lack of time, being away in Nepal for work, etc... However, I have been keenly following and discovering some crafty people's blogs and shops.

I have to say that I am fascinated about the blog kept by Novita, called verypurpleperson. I think she is very talented, her creations are right up my street and I love her choice of fabrics and colour combos. I am mesmerized by the floral fabric pieces she has created recently, they are top class!! I am also a fan of all things Japanese, and I like reading about Japanese experiences through the eyes of a foreign person residing in Japan. She also has a very cute family!!

I have also recently discovered an etsy shop called Gardens of Whimsy. The creations in this shop are dreamy hair accessories. They are really special pieces with a very natural and organic feel. They also have a fairy-tale quality and this is helped by the excellent styling and photography in this shop. What a great idea it is to use flowers, vines and beautiful butterflies as hair adornments!! I love it!

Check them out!

Botany

Plants are probably my first love. I suppose being born in a plant nursery had something to do with it. However, during my teenage years I became a little rebellious affirming that I would have nothing to do with plants in the future but later succumbed and finished a degree in Biology then a masters in plant taxonomy and currently I am in the final stages of a plant taxonomy and systematics PhD.

And all of this for what? Well, my second love for crafts has always fed from this enthusiasm for nature in general and plants in particular. I think they are a great source of inspiration with infinite colours and shapes, they are just marvelous.

Here are some fantastic items made by crafters inspired by plants:

these utterly gorgeous Ginkgo biloba earrings by esdesigns are simply stunning.

these botanical drawing-style tags by SugarStreetCafe are a treasure for plant and vintage lovers alike

this delicate and tasteful candle holder by botanicraft is a feast for the senses

And with these few fabulous items I wrap up and would like to remind everyone of how vital plants are for the planet: they give us oxygen, they feed us, they dress us, they house us, and not only they are crucial to us "self-centered" human beings but to all creatures on earth.