gifts

i have spent a lot of time in blogland bitching and moaning about the horror that was the final stages of the pensky file. it helped me a lot to be able to do that at the time, and although i havent forgotten the terrible times i had, i am also aware of how amazing it is that little old me, with all the skeletons in my closet, yesterday was admitted into one of the highest levels of academia. (dont get me wrong, i am not interested in all that elitist status stuff, but it means a lot because of where i have come from and what it took to get there!). so now this hangs on the wall:

i have been very lucky. i couldnt have done it without a whole lot of support, and i had a great day yesterday celebrating that. trent took some great pics of the actual ceremony with me giving my Vote of Thanks speech (which everyone seemed to like) and having fun at lunch afterwards.

and as if the gift of the phd and the company of great friends was not enough, i got given some lovely presents. i am not usually a label queen but i am a little excited about these two:

and the most stunning flowers:

and of course love, support and friendship. despite the horror, it has already been worth it. i hope trent starts to realise its all over now. there will be no more. i promise! now its his turn....ha ha ha....

k xx