hi Stephanie

this is for Stephanie Hi Stephanie. This is Christina Kavanagh. I was a mature age student of yours in the early 90's when you ran a course with Stephen Knight. I think it was called Language Theory and Literary Practice or vica versa. Later I did an Honours course with you too but can't remember what it was called. Saw article in The Age today and I looked you up in Google.

I had heard a lot about blogs but never read any so it was exciting to read someone I knew or used to. But then of course, I realise I didn't really know you. I was staggered to hear about your breast cancer. Amazing because while I was doing your course my dearest friend, Judi was dying of breast cancer. I remember writing in one of my essays how difficult it was to write about literary theories when in real life my friend was dying. On October 19th, 1990, Judi died at the age of 41. Not long after, our class went over to the pub for a beer and a farewell. I sat there intensely aware that she was dead and the world went on as if nothing had happened.

I am 57 years old now and now my dear cousin, Jeanette, has just been diagnosed with lung cancer!

Personally, I have not been a success story at all. Recently, I discovered that both my sons are heroin users and struggling with their addiction. That is another life event that stops you in your tracks. My first thought was how upset I was when they were first immunised and I saw the needle going into their sweet plump baby arms. Now they are purposely injecting poison into their bodies, the bodies I cradled and protected.

How is Stephen Knight? I hope he is well. I adored him when I was at Uni. I went on to do a subject he did with Stuart Macintyre as well.

I am not sure if this will get to you because I quickly had to start a blog to talk to you and I am over here at my daughter's place minding my grandchildren while they are away and have to go and put my grandson to bed. Glad to hear you had a son. How old is He? sorry this is not academic in tone.

I hate what melb Uni is doing about enrolling students. Seems to me a cynical attempt to squeeze people like me out. I was fortunate to get into Melb Uni as a special entrance type of student. I remember Simon During talking about wanting Melb to be a research only university. Is that what is happening now?

Glad to hear about your frog. My joy is feeding the wild birds that come into my backyard. All the best, Christina