Is this thing on?

I'm having a frustrating time with blogger (trying to upload pics crashes the browser), but a great time at university, so let's focus on that. Without any photos, just you and me ;)

This wont' be epic. I have to mind my OOS when away from the ergonomic desk setup.

Today was the last day of the 'block' course, which is an intense week of lectures, going over the assignments, wrestling with the inter-campus video system, and trying not to freeze or swelter depending on the random will of the air conditioning system.  It's been a fascinating week, and I've got a mind that is swimming with thesis ideas interspersed with moments of terror when thinking about those assignments. Best not to think; just do.

Topics upon which I will spout forth this semester include:

Coeliac disease (etiology - including genetic, biochemical and environmental factors)
PCOS
Probiotics and diarrhoea
Omega 3 and cognitive decline (YES!)
Dietary assessment of Omega 3 intake
Research proposal (I'll probably focus on bioflavonoids for that one)
Ethics
Biomarkers and biochemical measurements
The 'omics' - nutrigenomics, proteomics and metabolomics
Dietary assessment
One other topic that may be common physiological measurements, anthropometry or survey design.
plus two other assignments that haven't been finalised yet.

I also have to come up with a coherent idea for my thesis. I'm having a few thoughts, but won't bore you with that just now. I have a meeting with my course coordinator tomorrow and I'll let you know then whether the response was encouraging nods or rolling of eyeballs.

That's a lot of work. So much, in fact, that I can't waste a moment on any variety of freaking out behaviour.  There is only time for focus.

In the course we also covered:

Vit D and respiratory illness
ApoE genotype and CVD
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (very interesting, particularly the possible link with fructose)
Omega 3 and CVD
The confusion surrounding saturated fat and CVD risk
Body composition assessment
Gut health (we even delved briefly into leaky gut, which was cool, even though there were no ideas on how to fix one).
Protein - functional and biological properties
Glycaemic Index

Most of those will be exam topics.

It was fun to see Julianne there on the video link as well as my study buddy Jorden (Massey is a multi-campus university and we link up via a constantly a sometimes temperamental large-screen thingo). They took a lot more notes than me and made intelligent comments about UVB and Vitamin D. I'm in a class of brainiacs.

Now I must negotiate the route from my hostel room to the shared bathroom. This happens to pass through the kitchen where there is currently a rowdy group of young men drinking beer. For most of this week, I've been streaking through there in just my undies and singlet seeing as it's hot and the hostel is mostly empty. Tonight I might have to revise my method.

or not? (bwahaha)