Transitions

I have not been very consistent with blogging this time around. My first inclination is to say that even though I’m living in a very cool place doing a very cool thing, ‘life is still life’ (my catchphrase, it would seem). Looking back on it, though, there are definitely things I could have blogged about. I could have blogged about the incredible time my friends and I had in Amsterdam - visiting the Van Gogh museum, strolling across canals, hitting a biker (yes, I hit him - he didn’t hit me), visiting the Museum of Prostitution, and the many discussions over a glass (ha!) of wine. I could have blogged about any one of my work placements (mini internships) in various publishing companies - September Publishing, Macmillan, Hachette. I could have blogged about any number of London restaurants, museums, and venues. I could have blogged about London theatre or, lets be real, meeting Kit Harington (still dying). Alas, I didn’t, but here we are.

I suppose the desire to blog stems from sending in the final exam of my MA. All assignments are complete, grades are spilling in, and we celebrated with our ‘Publishing Oscars’ last week. It was a great evening of wine, goofy publishing games, and looking back on the past nine months. Part of the event was dressing up as your favourite book character. Some of my classmates went all out and looked incredible (looking at you, Charlotte). I went as the mouse from Goodnight Moon. Dad used to read it to me all of the time and ask ‘Goose, where's the mouse?’ I got a big ‘Awwww’ when I explained my costume - I’ll take it.

To my complete and utter surprise, I was nominated for several Oscars and actually won one. Honestly, it was extremely flattering to be recognised by my classmates, my friends. I am also extremely self-conscious writing this blog as I won ‘Best Copywriter’… Seriously though, it has been an incredible time with a lot of lovely, intelligent people. Our lectures have been incredible and I feel honoured to be a part of such a wonderful and diverse industry.

Although there is a bit of relief at being ‘done’, I still have my dissertation to write. I am looking forward to a very full and exciting summer, but also have a lot to accomplish in the next few months. To be quite honest, I’m not sure what happens once I submit this final piece of my academic career (yeah, yeah, ‘final’ is a strong word). However, I do know that this was the best decision I could have made. A year ago yesterday a wonderful mentor and friend encouraged me to be spontaneous. I began the application process that night. Regardless of what happens in September, I’ll be forever grateful for her advice.

This isn’t really a reflection on my time here as a whole, not yet. I have a whole dissertation to write before that blog post can be written. It just seemed like the right time for a bit of an update as I transition in to the final leg of this adventure. Now I’m getting really sappy, but thank you to those who have been so supportive of me while I’ve been over here. You all get Oscars in my book.