Day 115: Emily and Paula's Pink Crystals

Some weeks ago my dear colleagues Emily Waller and Paula Bennett send me a precious package  - a pair of beautiful pink quartz and silver earrings. They'd selected them while they were together in Byron Bay. They really capture the light beautifully and move so well. I've enjoyed wearing them today and look forward to having the chance to pull them out again soon!

Emily in pretty florals, with Rose and Emma 2015

I chose these today as Emily is undertaking a PhD with Andy and I as supervisors and this morning we had a Skype supervision session - or as Sophie calls it, a skypervision. It was a productive meeting with Emily on her way to writing an important thesis on the stigma attached to those suffering conflict-related sexual violence. Emily has been a great support to me over recent years, especially throughout the writing of my last book.  In those tough last days when Mum was ill and after she died when I was struggling to finish the manuscript, Emily's assistance made all the difference. I would never have finished without her.

Paula is also an important colleague, working with the wonderful Jan Breckenridge (Day 35 ) in the area of addressing gender-based violence, and building crucial bridges between the university and corporate sectors in this area, including vitally,  helping to get the big banks on board to change their practices in the area of financial abuse. Paula has sent constant messages of support, for which I've been very grateful.

Day 115 is a step up from yesterday thank goodness, after a much better night's sleep. I enjoyed a lovely walk around Sydney park in the bright sunshine this morning with Robbie and Molly before coming home for the skype with Emily and doing some other work including other great friend/colleagues Justine, Leanne and Carolien. By lunchtime I was exhausted so had a nice nap. Later this afternoon I had a visit from Nat - she's such a darling, bringing round a serve of delicious Pho soup for our dinner. Juggling the completion of her own PhD and her Dad in hospital, this really was beyond the call but we're so thankful. As is obvious, Vietnamese is my current favourite food, and the boys love it too.

We're moving into 'Rob'sgiving mode' - the name the boys have given to Rob's birthday celebrations - with his birthday tomorrow. It's always hard to demonstrate my appreciation of all his does for me and the boys; it will be particularly hard this year. Angus and I went to make the cake tonight and am missing an essential ingredient - grrr! I've added it to the agenda for tomorrow.