Rebel PhD does (and survives) Grad School

My holidays started with a trip to school to hand in the final version of my dissertation to Grad Studies. We were on our way to the Honey's parents for pre-Christmas frivolity, with a quick side trip to wind up 4 years of (painful, frustrating, agonizing) school, and expected no further problems from school. Wrong. They (THE UNIVERSITY) had to have the last word. Without going in to a long rant, doing a PhD has been a particularly trying process, with me somehow taking several unintentional wrong turns, never seeming to be able to follow the required protocol. So it should not have been a surprise that there was one final finger wagging to be had. Apparently, says Dr. Higher Up, I did not complete my final chapter as per "their" standards. They decided to let it go, seeing as how they still have a few "rebels" like myself in the system.

Hold on- Rebel? Is this an official addendum to my degree? Am I now a Rebel PhD? Wow, lucky me, I must be extra special to be granted such status.

Does it not make you wonder:
1) How they are planning on flushing the remaining rebels from the university system (since this appears to be their goal)?
2) Why conformity suddenly became a goal of the academic system which prides itself on innovation, creativity and leadership?
3) And most importantly (and yes most inflammatory and contentious) why is it that obtaining a graduate degree continues to be a process of degradation to the student who is constantly reminded that they are inferior to the more senior academics by a series of tasks, tests, and examinations which they will not pass if they do not show the "appropriate" degree of humility?

Cynical? Yes, so I have been told. Par for the course I retort. My experience in the past 4 years had a hand in shaping the cynic I am today. Pat on the back everyone.

I was going to include holiday news too, but I think now it should be seperate from my rantings. It was my choice to do a PhD, I survived, time to move on. As one of my cousin's said last night at a lovely wedding/party, I'm da Bitch now!!!

Knitting pics

It still hasn't sunk in that I am a PhD.

Interesting thing to note though. Prior to obtaining those letters I "had" degrees. As in I "have" an MSc. Suddenly though, and entirely without thinking about it, I became my degree. I AM a PhD. [shudder]. People say that all the time, and it wasn't until now I thought about it. I think I prefer (and therefore should watch my language) I HAVE a PhD in Forestry!

Post defense activities: knitting (yay!), hiking, starting a good book, cleaning the house from pre-defense clutter, and yes, working (bills have to be paid).

On the knitting front I am have a great time knitting my first lace scarf. It is addicting. I can't wait until the evening when I can sit and concentrate on each little lovely lacy row. The yarn is wonderful too, it is kid mohair with a glitter thread throughout from Rowan. Here is a picture:
Also, here is a photo of completed celtic vest. You will notice the snazzy ties on the side. I didn't have the brooch the pattern calls for, and was wanting to wear it at the craft fair so I knitted up some ties and sewed them on. I actually think it looks stylin' :) General malaise and the need to bounce back post-defense prevented me from offering you a picture of the vest with me in. Maybe next time.

I passed!

Quick note, because I need to take pictures of knitting (celtic vest complete and new project) before posting more. BUT:

I successfully defended my dissertation on Tuesday. I am a PhD!!!

I have minor revisions to do, but it is otherwise finished.

After almost 4 years of constant worry there is only a huge sense of relief.

To celebrate on Wednesday I knit and knit and knit. New project is a scarf for Grandma called Angel Pearls designed by Sivia Harding in Vancouver. Grandma fingered the sample in Urban Yarns when we visited post-defense (isn't life good?) but hummed and haahed, so I scrambled off with it when her back was turned. In the end she choose Celtic Vest as well, so she, Mom and I will certainly be matching. It is turning into our own little knit along!