• About Me
  • Editing
  • Quality Matters
    • The Misrepresentation of Quality
  • Statistics
    • Data Types for Quantitative Analysis
    • Theme One: Pareto Analysis

Bronwyn Swartz

~ Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

Bronwyn Swartz

Monthly Archives: August 2017

Bringing it home

29 Tuesday Aug 2017

Posted by Bronwyn Swartz in Family and Friends, General, My Adventures, Purely Academic

≈ Leave a comment

So that’s what I’ve gotta do…

You must forgive me, because this blog post is very similar to one I posted less than three months ago, when I told the story of the time I got 21% for my first test in Quality Management Systems. But I guess it’s just because I’m still going through a rocky patch in my life when I need to keep reminding myself to get up and go on.

See data gathering for my PhD is turning out to be a nightmare of note. Masters was tough… my friends all know 2011 was the worst year of my life. The year I got divorced doesn’t even compare to the year when I wrote Masters. And this time it feels tougher – in a different way. For my Masters degree, I had the data, I just did not have a methodology. My current situation is that I contacted each one of my target population personally (numerous times) and of the 30 pharmaceutical organisations, I’ve only gotten data back from 4 thus far! A sinking feeling if there ever was any. I just don’t have the data to even consider any methodology. But I have no choice but to just persist, and do whatever it takes to stay positive.

Thing is, I know why I want this PhD. It’s for very personal reasons. Over the weekend I thought about it again. I know that I will add more value to the people, …my students, my colleagues, my business partners and even my family and friends once I have this degree. I’m going to make a difference, and this degree is going to put me in a better position to do that. So quitting is just not an option.

And so I sat outside in the courtyard at campus yesterday and had a smoke (SHOCK horror Holly har Bronwyn!!!! – I hear Shaun swearing at me) Yes I know I quit for three years and I will quit again Shaunie, I promise. It’s a crap habit. You know that I know. It’s just tough right now. Besides work being a monster, my personal life has been on a rollercoaster this year too. A failed relationship earlier in the year and recently another romantic encounter spun me like a top… but thankfully the uncertainty around that is over now. My friends who know me well are saying “Yeah that sounds right“. No such thing as mundane when it comes to this chic.

Anyway getting back to the point. I was observing the students around me, all a bit nervous because they are all writing midterms exams now. And it reminded me again of a pivotal time in my own life, which started the 16th September 2010 when we wrote Stats 4 midterm exam. See, when we started studying Stats for the first time, it was scary but most of us got through Stats 3. Then enter Stats 4 and you’re filled with false confidence. Not entirely false confidence, I actually studied. In particular CUSUM and EWMA (Side note: Now that I lecture Stats 4 I sometimes make a joke with my students and tell them if I ever get two female puppies again I’ll have to call them CUSUM and EWMA…because that’s what it’s like).

Long story short(er)….We hashed that Stats 4 exam. It was a bloodbath. Blood, guts and snot actually. In the history of all the exams I have ever written, I never ever felt like that in my life. What a royal mess. I took two days sick leave because I was literally nauseous after that paper.

But life goes on. When we got our results only 12 of the 183 in our class passed. I barely scrapped through with 50%. It felt awful. But after licking my wounds during the midterm break my survivor mode kicked in. I needed a Master’s degree to get a lecturing job, so failure was just not an option.

I decided to find out who got the highest marks in class, and I decided that I would befriend that person. My quality friends thought it was hilarious strategy but I just calmly invited them to “Watch this space”. So when “top marks student” arrived in class the next Wednesday night I sat down next to him and I told him he was going to be my friend. He was probably in shock because I can’t remember him even questioning when I gave him my number and he gave me his. His friends were also gobsmacked but hey the strategy worked out well! Between his group of friends and my group of friends we killed the next few Stats 4 assignments by swopping notes and helping each other.  And on the 23rd November when we wrote final exams, I blazed through that paper. I don’t think I stopped to even breath. And I passed Stats 4. Not with a distinction – I got 70%. But at the end of the it all when I graduated I was awarded a B Tech Quality with Cum Laude honours, and the Dean’s Merit Award for being the person in that year to obtain the highest marks for that degree.

So I don’t know how yet…. but I know I have to bring this PhD degree home. And I will.

House Rules

26 Saturday Aug 2017

Posted by Bronwyn Swartz in General

≈ Leave a comment

wonderwoman logo

  1. No self-pity.
  2. Feel the discomfort.
  3. Do not compare yourself to others.
  4. Celebrate your joys.

Östersund by Canoe

24 Thursday Aug 2017

Posted by Bronwyn Swartz in General

≈ Leave a comment

IMG_0635
IMG_0724
IMG_0734
Look Andrew...No chains on the bicycles!
Look Andrew…No chains on the bicycles!
Umeå here we come
Umeå here we come

And so after an amazing time in Göteborg we started our Monday morning with a train ride back to Stockholm. Then a quick beer at Arlanda airport before catching our flight to Umeå.

IMG_0743
IMG_0744
IMG_0748

At Umeå, we were picked up by fellow South African friends, Bernard and Phillip. Bernard treated to a true South Africa classic dish for dinner that night before we enjoyed a midnight stroll to the lake. It never really got dark and we found ourselves playing in a kids play park at 3am.

IMG_0754
IMG_0770
IMG_0772
IMG_0781
IMG_0793
IMG_0807
IMG_0810

The next day we embarked on a five hour road trip to Östersund with Martin, Anna and Thomas… Spent the first night of our camping adventure at a camp site in Lits…. Bring on fun times!

IMG_0816
IMG_0819
IMG_0831
IMG_0834
IMG_0820

Bernard, Anna and Martin were amazing – the greatest. They facilitated everything. The following morning we hired canoes and packed everything we needed for the rest of the camping trip into watertight barrels which fit into our canoes. We were transported approximately 40km upstream where we started our two day trek down the river back to base camp in Lits. The plan to paddle our way back to base camp. Fishing and stopping off from time to time, goofing around most of the time.

IMG_0881
IMG_0879
IMG_0880
IMG_0883

The first day we goofed around more than anything else. Smashed two trays of beers, fishing and probably only paddled 5-6km before setting up camp. This meant the next day we needed to about 30km. No fun without a challenge:) Lucky for me I had the best paddle partner ever #PhillipYouRock! All in all a seriously cool experience paddling, fishing, stopping off and setting up camp and heading on again.

IMG_0885
IMG_0891
Berry with the fish spear he made
Berry with the fish spear he made
IMG_0894
IMG_0892
Brotherly love
Brotherly love

On the camping trip Thomas treated us to beautiful ratatouille. We also feasted on freshly caught fish compliments of Thomas and Bernard. And if that about Thomas wasn’t impressive enough….we also had bread that he baked himself. Not just a pretty face uh, a guy with a PhD who can catch fish, cook and bake.

IMG_0924
IMG_0926
IMG_0932
IMG_0941
IMG_0954
IMG_0937

Again we were introduced to some local things… Berry made an axe and went in search of a moose. All he found was moose droppings. And surströmming – fermented fish, eaten on a cracker bread with cream cheese sweet potato and black pepper.  It’s something one only needs to try once!

IMG_0946
IMG_0963
IMG_0961
IMG_0973
IMG_0974

And so we started heading back. The last day I spotted blueberries growing wild and the last night we had another fish braai with freshly caught fish.

IMG_0975
IMG_0978
IMG_0992

And so the camping adventure came to an end. Great memories and the best part is great new friends!

IMG_0994

To be continued….

 

 

 

 

Wedding bells on Göteborg

12 Saturday Aug 2017

Posted by Bronwyn Swartz in General

≈ 1 Comment

I’ve been thinking about how I am going to tell the story of my amazing holiday. And after some deliberation I’m sure you would be pleased to hear, I’ve decided I would have to use too many words if I try to explain. So I’ve decided to do chronological picture story with captions. A picture paints a 1000 words, so I think I hear clapping all round – less typing for me and less reading for you.

Flight to Stockholm via Dubai 🛫✈️🛩

Movies night on the plane to Dubai
Movies night on the plane to Dubai
Pretzels and red wine instead of popcorn and coke
Pretzels and red wine instead of popcorn and coke

Then a train ride from Stockholm to Göteborg 🚂

Thanks Alexander for letting us use your apartment
Thanks Alexander for letting us use your apartment
IMG_0425
Settling in before joing Diaan and Isabelle at the wedding venue to help "set up"
Settling in before joing Diaan and Isabelle at the wedding venue to help “set up”

After “settling in” we offered to help set up the wedding venue. However when we got there it was already done…🎭🐢

Met some amazing peeps. Other friends of bride and groom.
Met some amazing peeps. Other friends of bride and groom.
Simpy beautiful #DISA Wedding
Simpy beautiful #DISA Wedding
Attention to detail
Attention to detail
IMG_0462

Oh well, Whatchya gonna do uh. We know… Let’s go for drinks 🍹 🍸🍷🥃

drinks, drinks, drinks, drinks....
drinks, drinks, drinks, drinks….
Diaan (the groom) far left, and Isabelle next to him. Anna-Sophi with her eyes towards the stars and Alexander (Isabelle's brother) far right
Diaan (the groom) far left, and Isabelle next to him. Anna-Sophi with her eyes towards the stars and Alexander (Isabelle’s brother) far right

Next morning a little sightseeing before the wedding, quick recoup and off to wedding 🚏🎑📸

IMG_0502
Sightseeing is quite exhausting. Needed to recover with some snacks and beer before getting ready for wedding
Sightseeing is quite exhausting. Needed to recover with some snacks and beer before getting ready for wedding

Before the ceremony, the ceremony venue in town 💒💐

IMG_0544
f1020032
f1080192

The wedding ceremony 👰🏼🤵🏻

Isabelle's little sister wishing her
Isabelle’s little sister wishing her
You may kiss the bride
You may kiss the bride
Beautiful couple
Beautiful couple
Happy days
Happy days
#DISA Wedding
#DISA Wedding

And a little walk to the reception venue through beautiful Göteborg 👞👠🎩

IMG_0547

Arrival drinks and photies before reception starts… Can you spot the South Africans? I’ll give you a hint – they the ones who always have a beer in hand…uhmmmmm 🍺🍻🍺🇿🇦

IMG_0551
f1140224
f1148736

Of course there were some formailites at the reception party. I will always remember how I felt after hearing Isabelle’s dad’s speech. I have never heard a more moving speech from a dad to his daughter and her new husband in my life #PassTheKleenex 💑❤️🇸🇪

Tear jerking speech rendered by Isabelle's dad - No a dry eye in the house
Tear jerking speech rendered by Isabelle’s dad – No a dry eye in the house
Diaan and his beautiful mom
Diaan and his beautiful mom
Isabelle and her beautiful mom
Isabelle and her beautiful mom
IMG_0554
IMG_0644

And then the party….Oh WHAT A PARTY #DISA Wedding 🎉🎊💃🏾🕺🏻🎸🎷🥁

IMG_0597
IMG_0592
IMG_0645
IMG_0609
f1195840
f1237184
IMG_0584
IMG_0581
f1224896

And then for the after party💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾🤦🏾‍♀️

Of course I'm not posting pictures of the actual after party. This was at the tram station on our way back home
Of course I’m not posting pictures of the actual after party. This was at the tram station on our way back home
5AM Time to go sleep. What a wedding
5AM Time to go sleep. What a wedding
Thank you Steffan for looking after me
Thank you Steffan for looking after me

And then for the after-after party. Lunch at Isabelle’s parents house in Lerum. All still hanging, met up with the friends at the train station and off to Lerum. Thank you Anna, for being such an amazing hostess. 🥖🍗🥙🥘🥗🍤🧀🍄

Anna's beautiful lunch spread
Anna’s beautiful lunch spread
And then they all decided to take a selfie
And then they all decided to take a selfie
Can you spot the Berry?
Can you spot the Berry?
Going for a walk in the forest behind their house
Going for a walk in the forest behind their house
Berry and I taking selfies
Berry and I taking selfies
IMG_0665
Louise
Louise
Ann-Sophi
Ann-Sophi
IMG_0668
Diaan and Isabelle
Diaan and Isabelle
IMG_0690
IMG_0704
IMG_0699

And then it was time to say goodbye to beautiful Goteborg. A train trip back to Stockholm the next day to start part two of our adventure 🚈🛫

 

Reality

11 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by Bronwyn Swartz in General

≈ Leave a comment

Decisions as I go, to anywhere I flow
Sometimes I believe, at times when I should know
I can fly high, I can go low
Today I got a million, tomorrow I don’t know

Decisions as I go, to anywhere I flow
Sometimes I believe, at times when I should know
I can fly high, I can go low
Today I got a million, tomorrow I don’t know

Stop crying like you’re home and think about the show
We’re all playing the same game, laying down alone
We’re unknown and wrong, special and a clone
Hate will make you cautious, love will make you glow

Make me feel the warmth, make me feel the cold
It’s written in our story, it’s written on the walls
This is our call, we rise and we fall
Dancin’ in the moonlight, don’t we have it all?

Decisions as I go, to anywhere I flow
Sometimes I believe, at times when I should know
I can fly high, I can go low
Today I got a million, tomorrow, I don’t know

Make me feel the warmth, make me feel the cold
It’s written in our story, it’s written on the walls
This is our call, we rise and we fall
Dancin’ in the moonlight, don’t we have it all?

… Lost Frequencies

Wonder woman reporting back for duty

06 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by Bronwyn Swartz in General

≈ Leave a comment

And so I’m back!…

and what an epic vacation…

It would be impossible for me to blog about it in just one entry. To do the experience justice I’ll do it in three parts. See in my mind the whole experience can be logically described as a three part adventure. The first part, namely the wedding in Gothenburg (Göteborg) was a local experience. This was fantastic, because although my friend and I were tourists, it allowed us to be completely immersed in the local culture. We were able to enjoy local traditions and had the opportunity to interact with our new Swedish friends as if we were locals too. The wedding was also one of the best weddings I’ve ever been to in my life. I could get into trouble for saying that, but I honestly don’t think I ever had so much fun at a wedding before. This could be because I was completely uninhibited and really could just have fun and let my hair down – which I certainly did. I had too much fun.

Thereafter we headed back east via Stockholm then up north to Umeå. This I will blog about in Part Two of my Sweden trip. We met up with some South African friends in Umeå and spent one night there before embarking on a five hour road trip  back east to Lits in Östersund. The next night, we camped at a base camp in Lits alongside a lake where the Indalsälven and Hårkan rivers meet. The following day we were transported approximately 40km upstream on the Hårkan river from where we started rowing back to base camp. It was awesome. The guys took fishing gear with and so the next two days entailed rowing our canoes, fishing and stopping off from time to time at pit stops along the river. For the next two nights we camped at shelters along the river as we slowly made out way back to base camp.

Once we got back to base camp, we spent one more night there and then trekked back to Umea to catch a flight back to Stockholm. This is when Part Three of my Sweden trip starts. The following three days we spent sightseeing Stockholm, trawling museums and the most popular tourist attractions. We snuck a night of dancing at a night club in too! Again too much fun. The final night and day in Sweden was spent in a little town called Sigtuna. This town was enroute to Arlanda airport, as we were making our way home. It’s the oldest town in Sweden and the highlight of our stay here included hunting runic stones.

So all in all it was a truly epic adventure… stay tuned if you interested in the details.

IMG_0439
IMG_0494
IMG_0994
IMG_0668
IMG_0644
IMG_1004
IMG_0827
IMG_0741
IMG_0955
IMG_1066
IMG_1605
IMG_1569
IMG_1621
IMG_1397
IMG_1498
IMG_1335
IMG_1500
Ann-Sophi
Ann-Sophi

Subscribe

  • Entries (RSS)
  • Comments (RSS)

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • September 2021
  • May 2021
  • February 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • September 2014
  • August 2014

Categories

  • Family and Friends
  • Funny
  • General
  • My Adventures
  • Opinion Post
  • Purely Academic
  • Quality Stuff
  • Statistics
  • Touchy-Feely Crap
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Bronwyn Swartz
    • Join 67 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Bronwyn Swartz
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...