THE PhD BOWLS

Finishing date: February 2023.

It took me a really long time to muster up the energy to go through the photographs from my PhD defense and party. It was such an exhausting, intense, numbing experience, just thinking about being reminded about it through the photos made me tired. And filled me with regret. Because: especially the party should have been a relief, something fun and exciting. Instead, I felt stressed and not quite there.

But. Time passes. In March 2023, almost a year and a half after the defense, I finally went through the photos. People look happy for me. And like they’re having a nice time. I look tired, but also happy. (Look at me singing, with Jonna, Ami, Josh, My and Isak – total mixing of the social groups.) It hasn’t changed my memories of that time, but those happy faces are also part of the truth. There are many stories, layered on top of each other.

At the party, my colleagues gave me four gifts: a ceramics course, an exclusive whisky tasting, a spa day, and a whole bunch of yarn. And then I moved to a different country – not so easy to book courses and tastings in Stockholm anymore.

Just on the brink of the gift certificate expiring, I managed to attend the ceramics course. During Christmas break 2022, I went to the old cottage in Alvik that now houses a ceramics studio. I made two bowls, in SRC orange. Making them was fun, but required too much equipment. I think I’ll stick with yarn.

In February 2023, Natalia, Josh and I went to the whisky tasting. Also fun – made even better by the excellent company. And so gorgeously dressed, the three of us, too!

The spa day will happen. And I have a great plan for the yarn!