Quick entry for this month as it has been a busy month. Lots of marking and working on a text book about knowledge informed practice in social work, with a colleague. I have also been successful, with some colleagues, including students, in gaining some internal funding to investigate how students participate in quality processes in the institution – this is part of the institutional ‘Student as Producer’ initiative. More broadly it has been a cold month weatherwise, so I am looking forward to spring emerging over the next few months.
December is always a fun month, as I love Christmas, time spent with my family and all the festivities. The fun started early in December as we went to a concert to see the Welsh Male Voice Choir – Only Men Aloud - a good night out! I also had a good long break over Christmas and the New Year period, so was able to relax and enjoy some ‘me’ time 
That being said, there was plenty of work to be done in December, including a long list of copy-editor queries to start work on for the book – this will also be a feature of my work in January no doubt! Towards the end of the month and the term, students have been submitting assessment work, which results in some weeks of marking for me and my colleagues. I actually enjoy marking as this is an opportunity to give students individual feedback on their progress and successes, however, I always wish I had more time to devote to this important part of the job.
So to finish off this month and year’s journal – a few pictures from Christmas 2010 – firstly my son Rob and his girlfriend, Laura, with their ‘look-alike’ snow people creations , then my two cats watching the baubles on the christmas tree (needless to say, we were continually picking up baubles from the floor over the festive period!), and finally a lovely picture of my Mum and my son exchanging gifts on Christmas day.
According to the American photographer, Edwin Way Teale, ‘The world’s favorite season is the spring’ and ‘all things seem possible in May’ – and certainly for me, I have achieved many things over the last month. I had a heavy workload of marking to do, alongside teaching and some external examining work to get through – everything has been completed, a good feeling. I also seem to have participated in more than my fair share of lengthy meetings over the last month! The book writing is continuing at a pace now, with the first full draft of the whole manuscript nearing completion – another good feeling This month I also enjoyed a very productive short visit to County Mayo in Ireland where I am part of a team undertaking an evaluative research study; this was an initial introductory visit, meeting key people and getting a feel for the context of the work to come. Finally, as the month closed, I had a short break from work, and spent a long weekend visiting Glasgow, the Trossachs, Loch Lomond and surrounding areas – such beautiful scenery. So to finish off this entry, here is a stunning picture of Loch Lomond in the sunshine … bliss!
