A Wild Corner for a Connection

My intellectual fantasy to write this still mythical PhD mountainous work seems doable. Right now.

Disclaimer: this sentiment can change at any time, for any reason.

I had this big dissertation plan all mapped out before departure to Africa. Stall after stall after stall since arrival and I had to redirect.

I know what my fellow creative leaders would say, Tanya, what might be all the dissertation topics?

Not so fast forward (island life..) and I’ve found my destiny. Relieved.

A dissertation is on the horizon. Excited!

The happy dance gives way unforeseen stress of a different kind: intermittent internet connection. Power outages are random, ongoing and constant.

Remote tropical islands are reserved for disconnection. I get it. Me, I have the plain excuse that I am driven to get online to complete this dissertation.

And so, here I am on a Sunday, exactly one month before my return to the US and I have no internet connection, somewhat of a dissertation and high anxiety.

Where might be all the places to get online? A ha! Ask a creative question and let the mind wander…wait for it.

The only way to get around Nosy Be is by foot, by tuk tuk, or by pierogue. Ok, not quite true. Private cars are around. Car taxis tend to be completely stripped out. Dodgy options.

I’m anxious in paradise. I came here to write this dissertation. At the very least, I have to get the bulk of it done. And by that I mean 90%. Ok, that puts a number on it. That’s now a bit more clarity and focus. Better.

Becoming more stressed will only bring on more stress. And what will I show for myself when I get home? I feel ill at the spontaneous vision of my return without a solid piece of work.

Incubate. Read. Do something else.

An answer comes to me. Bingo! For real.

There’s a place further along the bay complete with solar panels.

K, new plan - go to the accessible-by-boat-only eco-loge and sit seaside to write.

Yep, I’m a creative problem solver.

They say the dissertation is a journey. That is it, by whatever it takes to get ‘there.’ Gotta stay open of this for possibilities to emerge.

On to work, with of course a break for a true Italian meal served to me by a former student.

The world works in beautiful ways.

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Creative questions stimulate the mind to seek for possible solutions. More often than not, there is more than one answer to a problem, and that’s the secret sauce to deliberately becoming more creative.

Setting a new course on the PhD journey..

These auto body parts must have a new home..

Tuk tuks, with complete interiors, rule the roads.

What might be all the ways to find an internet connection?

Seen snorkeling and now on a plate…