Hello all!
Today’s the vernal equinox, when night and day are exactly the same length. Call me cheesy- but today always encourages me to think about the importance of balance in our lives. Half a year we have more daylight and the other half there is more night-time and then twice every year there is the equality of day and night. I think its a good example of how everything works so perfectly and harmoniously in nature because there is balance.
On another note- Spring is here! 
Yay Spring!
Okay maybe not really because its all grey clouds and rain here in London but today is considered to be the first day of spring in the Northern hemisphere so you know… YAY!
In other news, the lovely Fusteratedreader has awarded me with the Sunshine Award, which basically means:
The Sunshine Award is an award given by bloggers to other bloggers. The recipients of the Sunshine Award are: “Bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogsphere”. The way the award works is this: Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them. Answer questions about yourself. Select 10 of your favourite bloggers, link their blogs to your post and let them know they have been awarded the Sunshine Award!
So thank you again and here are my answers to the questions:
What inspired you to start blogging?
I’ve just started my PhD this year and I moved to London on my own and I thought it would be a fun way to connect with people who might find my journey interesting. The other reason was that I find academia to be a very reserved institution and I wanted to share my experiences as an insider with those who were curious about what is going on behind the thick walls.
Also- writing is my biggest passion and blogging was simply another excuse.
How did you come up with the name to your blog?
I first wanted to name it “The Secret Life of a PhD Student” but then a friend pointed out that if I’m blogging about it, then its not so secret anymore… Hence the name The (not so) Secret Life of a PhD Student.
What is your favorite blog you like to read?
I LOVE book blogs- I’m addicted to them but its hard to pick just one.
Tell about your dream job.
This is an easy one: I want to be a lecturer in university and be a published writer. I also would like to train dragons.
Is your glass half empty or half full?
I consider myself a realist so its half full & half empty.
If you could go anywhere for a week’s vacation, where would you go?
Mexico! I’ve never been there but I absolutly love everything about Mexico: the food, the music, the language, the literature, the landscape & of course the people…
What food can you absolutely not eat?
Parsley. yuk!
Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?
Milk chocolate hands down!
How much time do you spend blogging?
Not too much to be honest… I try to check my blog everyday and visit some blogs I follow but its probably around four-five hours a week.
Do you watch TV, and if so, what are some of your favorite shows?
YES! I love TV shows. Not all of them obviously but here are some of my past & current favourites: House, Fringe, Lost, Girls, The Good Wife, Doctor Who, Black Mirror, Sherlock, Person of Interest, Nikita, The Walking Dead, Homeland, The Big Bang Theory, New Girl…
OK so now that I am done rambling, here are my nominees for the Sunshine Award:
(And I just want to say that it was NOT easy to narrow it down to 10 blogs since there are so many wonderful blogs and bloggers out there and I’m discovering new ones everyday.)
Wow… Thank you!! And I gotta admit, I’m so upset that Fringe is over… that was a great show!!
You’re very welcome! And same here… I was grumpy for a week after it ended
First off, thanks for reminding me what day it is…sister’s birthday. Me, born on winter sostice, sister, spring equinox, brother, summer solstice – think my mother would have been burned as a witch in a not so distant past. Second, do go to Mexico, despite the bad PR. Lived there twice, and Guatamala, and now Costa Rica. Mexico reminds me of an empire in decline where the residents are making the most of every moment of life…second favorite place of residence after Italy, a similar situation as far as declined empire. Congrats on award.
Later….
Wow! Happy belated birthday to your sister! That is so fascinating- are you sure you & your siblings aren’t fairies?
I really do hope that one day I’ll make it to Mexico. I’m actually hoping to live there for a year or two!
Thank you for taking the time to read and the lovely comment
Some days, blocks of concrete, some days fairies. Liked your blog…hope to see more. So many come and go, and I’ve just arrived in this world.
Later….
Thank you so much again! You are too kind! I really need to make an epic blog nominations post, but I’ve been too lazy recently!
You’re welcome Lily and I’m looking forward to that epic blog nominations post
Congratulations on your award! I enjoyed reading about you in this post. Thank you for the nomination, dear friend.
Blessings ~ Wendy
You’re very welcome!
Aww thanks lovely, so sweet! And a happy first day of spring to you – even though it doesn’t feel like it outside :p Maybe you should bring forward that trip to Mexico…
Actually I was just thinking about Mexico now because I’m listening the news and all they’re talking about is snow in UK…
oh well, the winter that keeps on giving! 
argghh yes i can’t believe it, long weekend coming up and we’ll all have to hide inside! haha still hoping for a shift in the weather (or a surprise ticket to the Caribbean, wouldn’t say no!!)
Congrats on your well-deserved nomination, and thank you for mine! This is so great! I am honored and look forward to posting about it. Happy Spring to all
You’re welcome and I’m looking forward to reading your post
Thanks so much for the award! That definitely made my day. And thanks for sharing a little bit about yourself. I wish you the best of success with your PhD : )
Thank you for your nice comment
I’m very glad to hear it made your day!
Thank you for the nomination. (sorry it’s taken s long to get back to you , joys of a PhD, been drowning in experiments). I will absolutely post something on this as soon as I get the chance.
Thank you again