My post after an absence. Merry Christmas to everyone and I hope you’ll celebrate with all your enthusiasm with your family, wherever you are, and the community here! I shall post the opened presents tomorrow. Santa’s was generous with a few garments and accessories! That’s all for me. Luis out 🎄🫡

Thursday in town meetings. Working on finishing the year out. Little over 8 working days left for the year. - red and white gingham long sleeve button up - Grey zip up vest - Brown leather belt - Slim fit blue jeans - Light brown lace up boot - Brown leather jacket

Black on black is one of my favorite looks. Just a bright pop of color makes the look really change based on event. Let me know what you think!

Remember boys, life is short. Let those you love know it and spend time with people that really give a shit about you!

And there it is! The title that I've happily struggled on paper and orally for four years! I'm officially a PhD (Dr Luis Maia de Freitas). Last week, 18th of September, I successfully defended my dissertation in ancient cities in Greco-Roman Syria and Mesopotamia while employing Homi Bhabha's concepts of hybridity and the third space. Not only the topic was a hard one, but the experience of researching and writing at a level of a PhD opened various opportunities to showcase my research internationally, as well as enhancing my current skills for both the academic and industry worlds. Most importantly, throughout this positive journey is the amount of contacts and friendships I will keep them for life, from supervisors to PhD colleagues and friends; from entrepreneurs to scholars. That is what makes a PhD journey fulfilling, and not just sitting down and do your research, where having a life balance helps you to store energy to absorb more knowledge. In sum, between the 1st of July 2021 until the 18th of September 2025 (and with a six month corrections lasting until March 2026), here's a breakdown of my journey beyond the thesis: Self-funded my PhD by working part-time at a restaurant to prepare and serve food, and other jobs as a teaching assistant, cover supervisor and student leader to deliver workshops, mark assessments and supervising pupils to collect and invest my pocket-money; Participated in 6 international conferences and organised, as well as spearheaded 3 of them to share different topics in ancient history and classics towards 500+ speakers and attendants, including scholars and PhD candidates; Created PhD Lounge podcast since the 29th of June 2021, leading me to two awards: Outstanding contributor for the PGR community of Swansea University and to the top 40 best PhD podcast content. Had chats and made friends with different PhDs across the world, and continuing to do so to increase my outreach internationally; Three industry placements in education and corporate social responsibility community projects: The Brilliant Club, Rewise Ltd (still working there), and MFL Languages (will start soon).