Goodbye for now

Towards the end of 2008, I found myself in a "gap". I had just left my research position in Singapore and was waiting for my doctorate program to begin. Yet, I didn't have enough time to actually take on a full-time job.

Given that pursuing a PhD has often been likened to entering a convent (and inflicting head damage on yourself), I decided to take a former professor's advice and use my time to do something I've always wanted to do: be a freelance illustrator. As a kid, I've always loved to draw but never felt that I was good enough to make it a career. So, thanks to the internet, encouraging clients, a supportive family, and an extremely loving husband, I was able to draw, draw and draw. And yes, I loved it.

Of course, a number of well-meaning friends have told me to do more "useful" things but I have no regrets about how I spent the last few months of my life. Because as I look ahead at the next five years of academic research, I am glad that I took the time to focus on something other than my work.

Blank Slate, 2009
I can vouch for each one of these methods.
Working on the kitchen table can do wonders for your creativity (...and your waistline, unfortunately).

Unfortunately, as school officially begins, I have to take a break from blogging for a while. But do check back for news! I have a children's book in the works and a few other projects that will be ongoing till the end of the year. In the meantime, I thought that this cartoon for What's Up seemed like an appropriate way to say goodbye...for now :)