Giving Nan her book

Reading my First Book to Nan

Showing Nan the 'dedication' - For Nanna Bunt

Reading the first page of the book to Nan

Pop, Mum, Nan, and Annie and I holding up the trophy!

Graduation Day Photos

Graduation Day, July 2012

 

 

Graduation

Wow. What a week! The pain of going to work at a job that leaves me unfulfilled is gone. Well, not altogether gone, but I’m finished my contract at work and I’ll only be doing casual work at around 10 hours per week from this point on. Not enough to live on... but I’ll worry about that later. Right now I’m looking to the future. But a quick summary of last week for you now.

Monday I groaned my way through another day at work. And again Tuesday. An email provided relief on Tuesday afternoon. The owners of a website I write for have been bought out by News Corp, one of the largest news providers on the PLANET! They run news.com.au and are looking to incorporate new parenting material on their website. Since the people I write for are now under the ‘News’ umbrella, they suggested me. It seems that they like what I offer and there may be opportunities forthcoming. I don’t know what yet, but it was exciting to hear about. Furthermore, they offered to buy all of my online content to populate their new site. The money was paltry, so we’re discussing it a little more. I’m hoping we’ll get a positive outcome, and look forward to more exciting opportunities at a nationwide level.

Wednesday provided some relief from the university office. I spent the day visiting web developers looking for ways to create an online presence that will help me generate income with my skills and products. The conversations were exciting. The quotes and discussions about money were dispiriting. I’m going to spend more than I want to. I have more conversations planned to find the best person to help me. Wednesday night I had a meeting at church to discuss ways I can be more effective in the role that I have. I was motivated, I made some changes, and now I’m hoping that things will improve.

Thursday was a great day for me. While my PhD was completed last September or October and my degree was conferred in January of this year, I had not attended a graduation ceremony. So on Thursday July 19, 2012, I visited the stage of the University of Wollongong in the robes and funny hat to experience the ceremonial component of my graduation. Mum and Dad came along. Kylie was feeling terribly sick with a cold. I told her to stay in bed, secretly wishing she would be there anyway... and she was. Kylie looked beautiful. We sat through 90 minutes of conferrals of degrees, and then I took my turn. For the first time, it felt complete. I have been a doctor for the best part of a year, but on Thursday afternoon at around 4pm I FELT like a doctor. I feel ready for the next stage of our lives.

Since 2003 when I left B105 and walked away from the radio industry I have been leaning on various people and things for support. I haven’t felt sure of anything except that I had a long road in front of me. I’ve felt like I’m not quite ‘there’ – wherever there is. In the days since my graduation ceremony I feel more purposeful. I feel more confident and hopeful. I feel certain. I have ‘a work’ to do. I know it and I am ready and motivated to do it. Perhaps that’s the key word. I am ready. I haven’t felt that since I was back in radio. But now I feel it. I feel ready. I like the feeling.

Friday was my final day in the office. I left with no regrets. While there were days where my productivity sagged, I persisted with a job that was a psychological struggle to the final day and did all that was asked of me. My boss assured me of his gratitude and asked me to please stay close by as there is plenty more work if I want it. I didn’t tell him I don’t want it... I hope I don’t need it, but I appreciate his kindness and his offer. It’s comforting to know it’s there if I need it.

I arrived home Friday afternoon and a surprise was waiting for me. My book had arrived from the publisher! It looks terrific and I’m genuinely delighted with it. I had a small handful of copies allocated to me at no charge. I immediately rang Nanna Bunt. I dedicated the book to her and wanted her to receive the first copy. I rang mum as well and she definitely wanted to be there for it. Kylie and I drove to Auburn and surprised Nan. She didn’t know that was why we were dropping in, and I think we gave her a great surprise.

Saturday we spent the day with our good friends from Canberra, the Thayers. They’re some of our favourite people. We talked most of the day while the children played. Sunday for the first time in a long time I relaxed and really enjoyed church. It was good to be there. The children were exceptional. Classes were inspiring. I left feeling uplifted. Sunday afternoon I visited several families from church, and Sunday night I attended a meeting an hour away in Campbelltown, so it was a full day. Now, as I prepare for a new start to the week I am full of anticipation. Our new lives begin as soon as I wake up!