"The one with the big THESIS submission..."

"Happiness is not in the mere possession of money and physical beings; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort."

- Franklin D. Roosevelt 

For those uninformed - I've recently submitted my thesis for examination. Suffice to say, that I am finally DONE with my PhD. It seems a feat so long in anticipation, but I am finally done. I can't emphasis enough the distinct difference between the feeling  of anticipating what's ahead of you, and the feeling once you're at that exact juncture. Many times during my candidature as a PhD student, you build yourself up to these euphoric feelings of one day completing this arduous journey, but the moment you pen down that last commanding statement thus concluding the thesis - that euphoria conjures onto an elevated sense of excitement subjective only to you.

At the end of a PhD journey, no one can understands and could perceive the excitement one feels but the PhD student him/herself. It is a hard-earned, privy accomplishment so personal and intimate, that it in itself can make up for all those sweat, tears and hard work during the entirety of those years of commitment and perseverance.

Yes - only a PhD student can comprehend and appreciate the excitement of submitting  a thesis, which can mean nothing to the layman but mean the world to them.

A thesis that took almost 42 months to finish. It was a long journey, but not without its many meritorious rewards.

Occasionally I look back and reminisce the path I left 2-weeks ago and realize how much it was intermittently made up of both wonderful and not-so wonderful junctures; how organic and cognizant, how nerve-wrecking and dreadful it was. It was as much a journey of self-discovery, as it was an academic one. As Rome was not built under the light of a day, nor did the animation of my PhD endure without the help of colleagues, friends and family. I owe as much to them as I did to my own self accord, and I was (still am) luck to have such inspiring and admirable support systems wherever I go.

It's been an awesome 3½ years studying in La Trobe; and on my last day following the BIG submission I decided to take one last tour of the campus for a warm farewell. Though I wasn't able to meet all of the people I intended to see, but I was fortunate enough to bid some of them goodbye in person; especially my research supervisors Paul and Suzi.

Michal Ugarenko - A good friend and a potent badminton sparring partner.

Vinod - a friend whom I share a lot of lab time with.

Dave Rayner - always able to offer a lighter mood to an otherwise gloomy day.

Dr. Suzanne Cutts - I would not have been able to survive my PhD studies without her continuous and selfless help.

Associate Professor Dr. Paul Pigram - a mentor whom I often seek motivation and direction throughout my PhD journey.

My office mates Alex & Kevin - a duo whom adds some livery to my days at La Trobe.

That evening, as I log off on my computer - I breathed a sigh of contentment and melancholy. A sigh of relief for a curtain call on yet another phase in my life, and the realization of an unveiling for another phase which has yet to unravel. I have learned and experienced a lot in Australia, acquired valued knowledge and fostered precious friendships. I am grateful for this endeavor, and I relish the opportunity to return home and give back to the very community that entrusted me the responsibility in the first place.

"Only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible."

- Albert Einstein 

Because attempting the ordinary only just make you the average.

-JeP