Raising the bar

Last week was one of the most amazing in my whole life. It was all about personal success and I'm still having trouble taking it all in. A few days which were all about ME and new milestones and achievements.

Monday began with the arrival (just as I was about to leave for college) of my author's copy of 'The Mammoth Book of Hard Bastards'. Was torn between going to Spanish class and revelling in seeing my work in print but dedication won out and I just popped it in my bag to savour later. My concentration was out the window in class of course but I carried the glow of being a 'published author' around all day. When I finally got home and actually read some of my words in print it brought tears to my eyes. It really is like giving birth and seeing your child for the first time! Of course, I immediately picked up on a couple of things I'd have changed but I guess that's normal for a writer LOL.

More ego-boosting with the discovery that I'd managed to come joint first in Spanish Culture last term. Only the end-of-term results to come and the elusive grade for my English poetry essay. With all things going well I was beginning to get rather nervous that my luck wouldn't hold. It did. No repeats to do and firsts in Spanish and Celtic Civilization. Almost got the magic 70 in English but, after some initial self-flagellation, learnt that not being one of the 15 out of 500 to get an A was still a great result. Even managed a passable C in Philosophy! All the hard work and angst had paid off and the results have spurred me on to keep the nose to the grindstone this semester.

After all the academic highs of the week, had the whole family around at the weekend to celebrate my youngest joining the ranks of teenager-hood. It was a couple of days of being a mother and having fun. No matter how great things go for me in college, when push comes to shove, my greatest success in life is raising three wonderful young men :-)

Without the worry of waiting for results it is now time to steady myself and concentrate on doing better this semester. The reading load is huge and every course is demanding a lot more than before. Seems like it will only be a matter of blinking and exams and Easter and the end of term will be upon us.

One final 'rush' today when, at last, my essay grade was posted by the English department... Yes, I got my first 'A' and it's probably the achievement that put the biggest smile on my face.

Oops! NOW I have a lot to live up to!