Getting through a degree, Mandy, is one challenge I am very familiar with! Fortunately the reward of completion, and the pride that comes from that completion, is also familiar. Congratulations on your graduation, Mandy. I hope you enjoy your celebrations

Mmm, honey! Enjoy some on thick-sliced fresh bread for me, Claudia

Printers are the bane of many people’s lives, Daz! I remember in my undergraduate degree a time when my essay was due in the following day, and I had run out of black ink. It was a colour printer though, so after about 2 hours of begging and pleading with it, I finally managed to get it to print my essay out in a lovely dark blue. The reward came when I got the grade I wanted a fortnight later! Hope your grandmother enjoyed her brochure

Rosa, thank you so much for your wonderfully encouraging words. I really cannot express how much they mean to me, so I’ll simply say thank you, once again.

Ah, yes, David, the ‘real world’! I believe I’ve heard tell of that world, although I’ve yet to enter it myself However, with your focus and your clear sense of your own values I’m sure you will do just fine. Best of luck in the job search, David. I know that your rewards are waiting for you just around the bend.

Us Scots really do get everywhere, Teacher Girl! Learning to do by doing is a great motto, although undeniably rather challenging. I’m glad that you’ve discovered yourself more than capable, however, and by the time next year comes around, I’m sure you’ll have it all down pat.

Your lovely blog makes me pine for Scotland, a country I have not yet seen. My last name is McDiarmid and my father’s family moved to Canada from Scotland seven generations ago. When Canadian friends ask where we are “from”, my family still says Scotland. Imagine that!

A recent challenge has been taking on the role of AP (Advanced Placement) Coordinator at my high school. Both of the people who were familiar with the AP program have moved on to new schools so there’s just me… learning by doing. (That’s the motto of the 4-H Club in Canada… “Learn to do by doing.”) It’s been a bit stressful and, as carefully as I have read the manuals, there have been obstacles large and small. But I just finished proctoring my third exam today and I feel GOOD! I keep learning and making notes for ways that I can improve for next year.

Thanks for the walk in the Scottish countryside. After a stressful day, I needed that!

My challenge lately has been finding a passion. Searching for a job next year (yes, I’m entering the real world…) it’s always easy to see how different jobs aren’t exactly what I’m passionate about.

And then slowly, as I think about it, I see my passions in each of the jobs. The job working with students – a passion for study; the job working the the homeless – a passion for justice and the disadvantaged; the job educating others about organic gardening – a passion for soil, for earthiness and groundedness at the roots of human life.

And then, as the passion builds for each job, so does the desire, and the nerves, and the fear. One interview is gone already – you spend an evening in agony when you haven’t got it. For the others, I can but hope.

Mahalo for sharing your sense of place Amy. I fall more deeply enamoured of your Scotland each time you describe her for us.

I really want to take a walk over there now!

Erm.. my challenges are all bee related this time of year. Rewards? Hopefully some honey come September – we’ll see if we make it there.