My Graduation..
On the 22nd May 2004 I graduated from the Open University with a Bachelor of Science with honours degree, at the Guidhall in Portsmouth. It was a brilliant day - we arrived a bit too early, but there were already others there and the atmosphere felt really good. I collected my gown and hood and we went outside and took a few photos, and then had the official photos done. We then went for drink in a pub in the square and waited until it was time to be seated at about 13.30hrs. The place was really nice - a paved square with buildings and statues around and steps leading up to the Guildhall. There were dozens of students all milling around having pictures taken in their gowns.

The ceremony was really good - it started with music and a procession as they carried in the University Mace. The first part was a honorary doctorate awarded to Fergal Keane the BBC special correspondent and he gave a speech. Then the Pro Vice-Chancellor gave a speech and we were all presented to him and shook his hand. We had to walk from our seat up onto the stage and then walk across the stage to the other side - it was fine, although I was slightly worried that herself and my brother's Julia would start shouting and whistling as I went up there! Luckily they behaved:-) It took about an hour and a half for everyone to be presented, but the time went really quickly.

In the evening we went for a Chinese meal at Gun Wharf Quay on the water front that was really nice, it was a buffet where you could try all different dishes (I didn't have too much though, as I had the gym on Sunday) It was a very special day for me and I'm glad that it went so well.
- posted by Bill @ 4:48 PM

 
Getting fit..
After several years of not doing as much exercise as should, I've finally joined a gym and decided to get fit again. The first session was an induction that showed me how to use all the equipment. I did my first workout on Thursday and I intend to do it every other day from now on. It was hard work but I'm determined to get fit and change my lifestyle - it will also help with scuba-diving. My initial fat percentage was 22.6% and body mass index 26.3, my goal is to halve my percentage fat but stay the same weight over the next few months.

I'm still driving around in a hire van while mine gets repaired, I've been back to London a few times and have now got over my accident.

My geology course is going ok, I've finished the second assessment - a set of 18 computer marked, multi-choice questions. Although I need to spend more time with the microscope and thin section slides, and the home kit. The second tutorial is next Saturday, so I should get the hang of the microscope there.

Still no news about the MSc I want to take, but I've just found out that the person who was going to send me further details in April is on maternity leave, so I've sent another enquiry to a different email address.
- posted by Bill @ 4:13 PM