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!

Hello from Edinburgh

So many things have changed or happened since my last blog nearly a year ago.

Some of the things are:

• I now live in Edinburgh.
• I have finished my Ph.D. (officially graduating this Friday).
• I am no longer a student (no more student discounts for me).
• I have had two proper jobs.
• I have been to Thailand and Nepal.
• Some of my crafts are now sold in an art gallery in Edinburgh.
• I live in a house with a garden.
• I am happier!

I leave you with one of my pictures of the Budha eyes in Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Sunday Lazy Picks

Hello!

So today is Sunday and I am starting this new section in my blog whereby I select some pretty things I like. Today will be about things that I've had my eye on for a long time and that are on my list of purchases for when I am richer.

This first one is possibly the top of my list, they are lovely Mottled Brass Earrings  by Lila Ruby King.

Her things are amazing and she has been featured on etsy this weekend. You can see it here. What and honour! Congrats Anna!

I also love all of the Scandinavian Matryoshka Dolls by Ravenhill, but those colourful ones are one my very fave ones because they bring so much cheer and they are the cutest.

This is the Just a little boudoir mirror .... by Pamela Angus. This is very cute and almost irresistible. It is out of a fairy tale and very romantic with lovely soft colours and flowers, which are my favourite thing!

There are so many talented people out there creating really unique, beautiful stuff! It makes me happy to think there are people that are not affraid to use their imagination!
Well that's it for today, I hope you have enjoyed it!

Fairy Cakes

Mmmmmm these are some Fairy Cakes I made ages ago but that I remembered today while looking at my pictures. They were yummers and looked so cute in the cake stand. They didn't last long though there were a few of them.