Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid-ul-fitr is a bit of a tough time in my family since Aisha left us. Talking to my cousins, I don’t think we miss Eid celebrations that much. Maybe it’s because we’re growing older and eid is more fun for the younger children. However I sometimes think that we should perhaps make more of an effort for my younger brother as he is still only a kid after all. Anyway who knows :-/

By the way the White House wishes everyone a happy ramadhan kareem. This is one of the reasons why I like the guy :)

< http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Ramadan-Kareem/ >

Head hunted

I remember when I first heard that term and thought it sounded a bit brutal for something which is essentially nice thing to be considered for. At no point in my life did I think I would be headhunted, especially not like a job like this…

There was a whole job specification outlined but I cropped it out. Way to boring :P

I had to ring the lady back and inform her that I was back at university after my placement year and she was all like ‘Oh, you’re just medical student? Ah I’m sorry…’

Usually I wouldn’t mind that comment, as she was just stating facts but it was the inflection of her voice when she said ‘just a medical student’ and sympathising for poor choice of career. I felt like saying, ’Woman, this studying malarkey is pretty tough you know!’ But as you probably already know, there is no way that I would say something like that.

Clearly I’m overly sensitive today (urgh!) so I’m glossing over the ‘just a student’ thing and be pleased with the fact I was considered for the role. I especially like the salary – that could definitely be put to good use ;)

Err, the IP belongs to me? No?

So I finally made a decision about where to go for my doctoral studies and have been sent my contracts in the post. That’s right – contracts. Not university forms to fill in but contracts that need to be signed, which makes it sound all so scary. I mean contracts are not a new thing for you, I’ve had to sign them for jobs etc but never for a place of study. An agreement to the code of conduct at university – yes; a contract at university – err, no. This contract in particular had clauses such as;

i) Your must agree to assign Intellectual Property arising from the projects to the University. Full details of this are explained in the assignment letter (see below).
I cannot be bothered copying the rather wordy and legal sounding assignment letter. Sorry! But I mean really? My intellect or more specifically the intellectual property that I may or may not develop does NOT belong to me? I really don’t get some type of ownership over this? Oh no wait I do... just a passing comment perhaps, but mostly it’s all the university. Which in fairness is ok I guess, seen as they are paying for me via my scholarship. It just feels a bit weird that’s all.

ii) During the tenure of the studentship you may undertake teaching and demonstrating duties in the university provided that the total demand made on your time, including preparation time, does not exceed six hours in any one week. You may not, however, retain or accept other employment or an appointment, which involves substantial calls upon your time without written consent of the Head of the School in which you are registered.

Ah yes lecturing, which I conveniently forgot about, eek! I’ve done like odd lectures here and there, filling in for people etc but teaching a regular class – again scary stuff! Ah well I guess I’ll deal with it when I get there, lol.

Ok, SO maybe I’m making it sound a bit scary as it is not all harsh and I will learn a lot from some really knowledgeable people. Also I got a really lovely accompanying letter of which included; congratulating me on getting the studentship (Why, thank you), the faculty hoped that I would accept the offer (which I have done) and wished that my time at the university is rewarding and enjoyable (well I hope so too).

Anyhow I now have two whole weeks off. Neither Saba or I have had much of a break this year so these two weeks really mean a lot to us. Eid is coming up and I have a lot of things to sort out before the new university semester begins again. Two whole weeks!!! Woohoo!!!