So it finally arrived... I finally graduated. Years after beginning my degree, overcoming serious writing-block issues, deferring the degree to take up a youth worker position and eventually coming back to have a proper tilt at the course, I completed my degree, and survived to see out my own graduation ceremony. Yay for me.

It was funny, doing the whole 'dress up' thing... It was like a little production line in the atrium at the uni... they just asked me what I needed and then dressed me. Did you hear that? I had a group of girls dress me. Last time I had that much service was when I was 6 years old and accidentally poo'ed my pants at my uncle and aunties farm when i couldn't find the toilet. For the record, the toilet happened to be at the end of a sloping pathway that lead into the rainforest. So shut your mouth.

So after making sure my gown and degree colours were all arranged nicely, with my graduation cap on straight, and the tassel to the correct (right) side it was time to doff the Chancellor and some other Doctor of education and collect my award. Sure, I forgot to re-do my own tie after putting it on in a hurry in the car, so it looked crap the whole time... but you can't be perfect all the time.

Hey, so whats this blockquote thing all about anyway? I mean, a quote of blocks? Realistically this is just little more than a test, a bad one at that...

I also got the token shot of me in the Student enquiries office, with... well, me. That pic was taken years ago in my first ever year of university -how different do I look huh? No more Nick Carter and the Backstreet Boys for me... I am totally Buff now.

I should give a little shout out. That guy in the picture next to me saved my bacon. I arrived at Macquarie overwhelmed, and set about not doing my readings or tute preparations (something that became a bad habbit). That guy next to me was like a little angel. I bumped into him during a lecture and we chatted... I bumped into him again one Friday, before an assignment was due the following Monday. I had done no research, had no idea about references or the art of referencing, and was wandering aimlessly around the library. If it wasn't for him taking me under his wing, showing me the ropes, I would have failed badly. So whoever you are, Mr "Always wears wicked good aftershave" - I salute you.

I graduated with the school education (I wanted them to write 'the school of hard knocks' on the degree but they refused), but surprisingly I knew more people that were graduating in the department of Earth Science than I did actual Edumacation students. Odd right? Yeah.

So the family came down to watch and made a fuss over me, to bring me gifts and wine and fuss over me some more. I ended up getting a Macquarie university coffee mug... and a nice little glass desk clock, which is just to my right as I type. I like my little glass desk clock. You can see through the glass bit. If I was a bird I would totally fly head-first into it and knock myself unconscious.

Interestingly I almost didn't get a desk clock, my mum was desperate to buy me a navy blue Macquarie University neck tie. A NECK TIE??? Where would I wear it? Did you not see how I am dressed? What makes you think I would wear a navy blue neck tie? It would look far more at home on a dusty old history proffessor in a tweed jacket... you know the ones that have elbow patches? Yeah. And I am way not there yet...

... and if you say I am one more time, I will punch you in the eye socket.

So until I return for masters, so long and farewall Macquarie University. Until we meet again.