Heark back if you will to January 2006. I put to the blogosphere the prospect of my going back to do a couple of years of part-time study in order to upgrade my Adv Dip in Christian Ministry to a Bachelor of Theology. Today marked the end of that particular journey. Man, 2 years never went so fast…
I’m pretty satisfied with my results, 2 credits, 4 distinctions and 2 high distinctions with an average of 80%, and I’m really pleased to have achieved the work required and say I’ve done my degree but I have to confess I thought I’d be more excited…
Ok, maybe I look pretty excited…
I can’t put my finger on it… but I can see myself sitting in the Grand Hall of The University of Sydney today surrounded by gorgeous sandstone and stained glass wearing the traditional garb alongside my fellow graduands listening to soaring organ music and a beautiful choir and it all just seemed a bit daft really… a case of people taking themselves waaaay too seriously. I mean, have you really looked at the guys up on the podium? Don’t they make you want to laugh out loud? Or wouldn’t it be really funny to deflate a whooppee cushion at a really quiet moment just to make the place giggle (after the collective gasp of horror…)!?
The Grand Hall, University of Sydney
Maybe I’m just too egalitarian to think that a degree puts one person ahead of another… Maybe I’m less interested in the outcome than the process of learning… and maybe my ambivalence is making you wonder why I bothered in the first place.
I bothered at all because a) because I could, b) because if I didn’t I would have gone out of my tree LONG ago out of sheer boredom, c) because having now got a degree I’m eligible to pass on some that knowledge to others as a tutor and d) because I can go on to further study in some other areas I’m interested in, and maybe even at such exalted palaces as The University of Sydney rather than a Divinity College.
I’m under a bit of pressure from PIA to do my Masters. I scoff at the prospect most of the time but I’m actually not opposed to the idea… however, should I actually decide to do it… I won’t be doing Theological Study – I’ve given God enough grief…
…and I don’t want to push him over the edge to a heart attack…
Congratulations, sweetie! I’m singing “Gaudeamus igitur” LOUDLY in your honour. And how very lovely you looked in your cap and gown… wow. Hope you’ll have a few celebratory cups afterwards?
P.S. And your results! Distinctions?!? Can we say overachieving eager beaver?
Thank you Red, I believe I can hear you singing from here…and as such, feeling VERY honoured!!!
You can say overachieving eager beaver, though I generally tend to err on the side of ‘girly swot’. *grin*
I tried the other commenty way and it doesn’t like me so I”m back to anonymous :)
You look great in the robe, the new hair goes very well with the cap and as for not excited enough? You’re practical as well as romantic – it’s all very well to get a degree and and do cartwheels but in this day and age, unless you’ve got a lot of money and can afford to study for fun, it’s essentially just a means to an end … and seriously, where’s the enormous fun in that? :)
*Applauds extra loudly*
Oh congratulations matey! I shall raise a long tall glass to you over dinner this evening!