November started with a very big day - my first ever mountain bike race! My boyfriend Hans came for a visit from Germany and together, we drove to the Scottish highlands to participate in the Kinlochleven Enduro Race. Scottish mountain bikers collectively agree that this is Scotland’s toughest race: steep, rocky, wet, muddy and slippery. The landscape was stunning - mountains with snow-covered peaks, lakes and the ocean - just as you imagine the highlands to be. We had so much fun socialising with the other racers, paddling up the 900m of altitude and racing down trails which were totally different to anything I had done before. By the end of the weekend my legs were full of bruises, but I was very, very happy!
November is also the last month of taught classes at the University of Edinburgh and things get more serious towards the end of the month when deadlines come closer and assignations are due. I’m somebody who always starts to work very early, since I hate being stressed out in the end. So when most people were still relaxing, I started researching for my papers and writing my first thoughts down. Now, at the end of the month I’ve handed in one paper, gave one oral presentation, as well as a poster presentation. My next paper is due just before Christmas, but I’m pretty much done with. This means I only need to write one more paper, which I will do in Freiburg, Germany.
Since I don’t have any sit-in exams but only papers to hand in, I decided to spend December in my hometown Freiburg, where I will take advantage of the university’s great library during the day, and the festive christmas market in the evening. Also, I’m taking my mountain bike with me and I cannot wait to hit the trails and go on trips to Italy and the Canary Islands. This vacation is going to be wonderful and I’m looking forward to write about my adventures in my next blog!
PS: I had the British Council come and visit me last week - they filmed a portrait about me and my goals which will be online very soon! You should not miss out on it if you want to know why I do what I do. :)
NOVEMBER 2017
