I'm not sure if it is possible to be more stressed than I am right now. My thesis is due Thursday week, so hectic doesn't even begin to describe my schedule right now. For that reason the blog, and hence dA, is going to be a little quiet/simplistic at least until the 25th of October. I'm on a baking hiatus! There'll be nothing highly decorated.

I've been rather slow at replying to comments and have not even begun to contemplate being able to keep up with much else, so my apologies to you lovely people for my apparent rudeness.

I received the unhappy news today that PhD scholarship applications close on the 30th of October. Meaning we essentially have 5 days after completing Masters to find a supervisor and a project. Weird. So I was chatting to my supervisor today about PhD opportunities. After a long discussion we agreed that it's probably best for me to take a year off. I've encountered a great deal of personal issues throughout my Masters degree that severely impacted my ability to conduct my research, and we agree that it would be best to get my life in order before trying to take on the monster that is a PhD.  It also gives me the opportunity to focus on publishing my research and gaining some more experience in the meantime.

While I am going to miss the research and being at University very dearly, not having to be up at 4am in the morning to clear traps and there until 10pm to set them, not having to work 7 days a week, not having to sit up all night writing grants and ethics applications or research reports or analysing data... it means for the first time in a long while I will have adequate time for my hobbies. It means I'll be able to pick up all those things I haven't had time for. It means I will be able to accept commissions. It means I'll have time to do all the personal projects that are stuck inside my head. This is something I'm really excited about. I can't even remember what free time feels like. It's going to be very weird, but hopefully in a good way.

2013 is thus likely going to be a big year for the blog and for my personal development as a culinary artist. Said development is something that being a part of deviantART has motivated me to achieve. Being here has totally changed me. It has allowed me to view both the creation of food and the photography of it as art, and has completely changed how I approach it. You all inspire me so much. Whether it be your encouragement or your own gorgeous work. Joining this community is seriously the best thing I've done. I didn't expect it to so drastically change me. I didn't expect so many of you to be interested. I have so much to that this community and you people for.

I'm excited to see what the next year will bring. I hope to see you all along the way.

xXx