A Mathlete's Memoirs: Always Playing Catch Up

Well a lot has certainly happened since the last time I wrote so I am going to do this blog in a few parts. This first part is about some of the major things that have happened since the last time I wrote and the next couple will be about the month long trip Laura and I went on round Europe. So I hope you enjoy whats coming as much as I have enjoyed them as they were happening.

The last time I wrote my sister was still heavily pregnant- and in fact 2 days later on July 15th at 8.45am my awesome sister gave birth to my gorgeous nephew- Patrick Thomas. They were both healthy and happy which is fantastic. Patrick is now 7 weeks old and one of the happiest babies I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He is always smiling and alert- he is going to be one smart boy.

The next day I found out that I had not only passed my exams but done pretty well considering how bad I felt they went. So now I have a 2:1 degree in Mathematics from Glasgow Uni. High five to all the Mathletes too- they all kicked those evil exams asses and are all now Bachelors of Science with Honours (except Laura who was registered in the Arts faculty so she is a Master of Arts instead).

The next few weeks passed by fairly uneventful, with Laura and I preparing for our trip and generally enjoying being free from exams and stress of worrying about exam results. Then it was time for graduation day itself. Despite the rain it was a great day. The ceremony felt appropriately sombre with all the Latin and what have you. Felt so great to be graduating from such an old university with lots of tradition and history.

It was a hectic day, after graduation we went for dinner in the Loft, which took ages but was otherwise good. Finally I was home and knackered. But the next day wasn't any quieter. We went to get photos taken at the QM then up to my grans for a bit then finally home to pack. Not my strongest skill I have to say. You just never know what you might not take that you really need. Finally I got it packed (turned out I was only 4 kilos over, ,which is a true achievement for me) and early-ish the next morning (July 3rd) we were off to Oslo. The first installment of the Europe trip will follow shortly.