The big news this week is that I started a course on quantitative methods, the first of my compulsory courses. The even bigger news is that I actually enjoyed the four-hour lecture on statistics and Excel. And trust me, that is big news. I loved maths at school. I LOATHED statistics. Yes, the capital letters are warranted. I directed some serious hate at the subject.

Maybe it was the book, which, despite weighing about as much as a small car, is far more fun than the usual black-and-white textbook and the first chapter even opens with a Radiohead quote. Maybe it was getting to use my brain in a different way. Or maybe this introvert was simply happy to be in a room working alongside other people again. Whatever the reason, I can honestly say I’m not filled with dread at the thought of next week’s class.

I will not, however, be lugging that book to the university and back again. It lives at my house now and here it stays, unless I fancy developing a lopsided walk for the foreseeable future.

Much of the rest of the week went on reading, as I prepared to rewrite the methodology section of my research proposal and attempt to formulate a coherent plan for data collection. Yesterday I stayed home to work on an updated draft, which I’ll keep polishing next week before sending it to my supervisors.

Amongst all the work, I also had a lovely evening out with two good friends who are also ex-colleagues. They gave me a very generous pressie, including some chocolate I’m looking forward to enjoying today. It was wonderful to forget about work for a while and spend an evening laughing at all our eccentricities.

So, seven weeks in, I’m calling this a good stretch. There’s a draft to finish, a heavy book to leave firmly at home, and a statistics class I’m (shockingly) looking forward to. Ask me again once the maths gets harder, but for now I’m enjoying it.