Psychological Science Degree in progress ...

I have the privilege to be able to study on line one of the best psychology degree available in Australia online at the University of New England. The timing is perfect during Covid-19.

I have now passed all the foundational subjects, and this is becoming more and more interesting by the day. My favorite subject (the hardest as well) was Biological psychology (the engine), just passed it, very memory-challenging, but yeah, done now! Some insights about major dysfunctions, pharmacology as well.

Psychology is not just about fixing dysfunctional minds, it is also about making patients the best they can be thanks to what we have learned as a human species about our minds functioning. As we progress, boundaries between Psychology, Neurology, Biology, Physics. Chemistry and Maths (Stats), Anthropology, Linguistics, Neurosciences and Computer sciences (neuro-imaging, modelling) are blurring.

This is where I am at now: 5 x subjects left, including Cognitive psychology that I am starting today, and that looks extremely promising. Since I am doing all summer semesters, I should be finished in February or June next year. I am learning so many things I always wanted to know for myself and for others.

 

As I was going though my studies. I was taking memorable snapshots for diverse reasons: interesting/funny/must remember etc. and I am sharing a few of them with you today.

The bureau of convenient lies

The majestic neuron

 

Now, the neuron in action but I won't bore you with the intricate details of chemistry and physics associated with action potential and neurotransmitters, just glimpses.

Your brain when you sleep

The joys of statistics

More serious ones

The revealing ones: your mother's mother is the one in the extended family who is the most interested in the grandchildren. It looks like, statistically, that the others don't seem to care that much. There are very good evolutionary reasons for that: she is the only one who can be sure of the genes origin out of the 4. Strange but true.

Anxiety and genes

The truth is

What we really care about

What you are, and what you see about yourself - .... we don't really suffer from self esteem issues overall, we are mostly cats who see a lion .... VERY imperfect, in truth but .... it is not such a bad thing.

The Maslow Pyramid of Needs

Social psychology textbook extract

In our own bubbles

Beware!

Cultural differences 

About defence mechanisms

Prejudice is a question of education

Correlation between adverse events and depression

As you grow old, you lose and you gain ... 

Companion ate versus Passionate Love: not what you wanted to hear

A bit off subject but one unit was about Psychology and Environmental Issues

Psychology and International Relations

When it gets a bit too much....

Perception: what you see is a re-flexion of your reference system

And so much more, sorry 😀

Reconstructing the house decks

After years of neglect, the house needed a serious UPDATE. 

I had very limited financial resources (next to nil), so what I could not afford to have done, I did it myself. I figured that no one is born knowing how to build or rebuild a deck and since it is not rocket science either, with the help of a friend, as novice as me in the trade, we decided to raise to this challenge. 

Our spirit was good with the help of a neighbour bringing icy Kombucha drinks in the heat of the summer months :) while my friend and I were tearing apart the old deck structure with delight.

Before

Friend ripping out the old damaged structure with me

Almost dismantled, we redirected the pool fence for safety temporarily 
& we put a tarpaulin for pumps protection



New Structure

I painted the bearings to water protect them 

After

I bought the wood in Archefield industrial zone directly from two Indian traders

So beautiful, I wish I did not have to put the fences back

The texture of the wood was so pleasant and soft, that I got inspired to make a yoga platform out of it where I could practice with my friends while all sports facilities were still closed.

Computer stand for Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilate routines guidance

The other deck around the house was not looking good either.

Before

So bad, it was dangerous to even walk on it

After 

New bearers

Other side - Before

After

That was not all!

I removed old tree trunks and dead branches in the bush backyard to make the house safe against bush fires. Even the forest area had been neglected. I dragged it all up the hill and filled up a whole crate by myself. I just had the energy of someone programmed to reconstruct.

Full crate


The house was not in a good state, I tackled all repairs everywhere, one by one. 

Even the lawnmower had it, I had to find spare parts on Ebay

The sand filter cracked and urgently needed to be replaced, just as all the shops were closing down and supply chains became compromised. I bought it online, it came just in time for someone recommended by a neighbour to come and install it quickly, the day before the shutdown.
I had feared that spare parts of this kind could become an issue if supply chains collapsed.

In fact, I was left with NO instructions as how to maintain the pool - of course, and there was a lot to learn. It was a bit stressing at first with old gaskets to be replaced, but I am now proficient with water quality management and with basic maintenance like backwash etc.

The awning steel rod split in the middle


ONE by ONE

At the time of separation, it was total mayhem: the letter box rotten wooden post collapsed, the air-conditioning and the TV broke down, the kitchen tap pipe burst, and no money.
Then, the fridge leaked beyond repair and let's not mention the 159000 km car.

I don't know how, but all was fixed at the end, and the house is now safe and very comfortable as you can partly see. I made it a true home at the end, a place to rest and feel peaceful.





Freedom!