I am going to hand in my Honours dissertation tomorrow, effectively completing my university education. It’s surreal, bittersweet… You name it, I feel it. In my writing, at several moments, I remembered you. Taken from my thesis acknowledgements:
My supervisor, Dr. Rebecca Suter, who has been simply indispensable in the past year – my sincerest thanks and deepest appreciation for your unceasing patience, graciousness and optimism, as well as your valued tutelage and guidance in and outside of this Honours programme. Having you as a supervisor has been a joy, indeed. Domo arigato, sensei.
Davina and Tina, my partners in crime during this pivotal stage of our lives – as we near the end of the different phases of our university education, having still kept our sanity, I am reminded of how much your companionship has meant to me. Thank you for the study sessions, text messages and cups of coffee throughout the year (not forgetting the previous three); all of which have given me the encouragement and energy to press on.
Jessie, Rosa, Preethi, William, David and Elizabeth – all blessed with analytical minds and wonderful personalities, whose corresponding journeys have been a great source of support. I hope our paths will cross in the future.
Ernest, Eliss and my cell members – I have never witnessed more generosity and willingness of heart, nor have I experienced a dull moment with you. Thank you for the laughs on the weekend and your prayers during the week. Keep in touch!
Kay-Lene, my dearest and ever-present ‘old same’ – thank you for sympathising; for listening to my gripes; and for not holding it against me when I do not have the time to hear yours. I am more grateful for you than I am able to express.
Gerard and Amy, my encyclopaedias and voices of reason – thank you for the sage advice you have dispensed, even before I undertook this thesis project.
Roger F., excellence personified – to me, he is the archetype of hard work and strength of mind.
My parents and siblings, for your unconditional love – words are not enough to convey my indebtedness to the affirmation you have shown in my choices.
Last but not least, my Almighty God – the comfort during my most uninspired days and my beacon in the darkest of circumstances. You have never left my side.
3 Comments
November 9, 2009 at 06:40
Just a few more hours till we bid farewell to our student lives… I’m just thankful I get to experience this momentous occasion with you. It is, truly an end of an era. Thank you, for being my rock. I am so so proud of you.
November 9, 2009 at 08:20
Now that is going to make me cry…
It is this kind of moral support that I couldn’t have done without. Thanks for sharing the moment with me, Dav! And congratulations on completing your Masters!
November 9, 2009 at 22:45
Never a step apart, never a harsh word between us;
I carry your heart. I carry it in my heart.
Congratulations on finishing your thesis, my beloved Old Same. I’m so proud of you for getting over this mountain. (:
It was my honor to see you through this journey. I believe I will soon need your support, encouragement and ears (to listen to my griping) in turn when I start my apprenticeship in Term 2, and when I get to my final Terms 4 and 5. (;
I love you, and miss you. Muchies.
For now, I’m counting down the days until you’re home with me again.