I graduated!

Yes I did.

I wasn't going to write a long essay about this. I wrote a long one on my Norwegian blog and it was so emotional that I am left feeling a little drained, but it seems like my brain decided that I need to do just that. It was such a big day for me. It was the completion and the end of a dream that I have been carrying in my heart for years. I always dreamed of becoming some kind of artist, studying abroad, getting a degree. And now I have done it. I have officially graduated with the award Bachelor of Arts with Honours, Second class, first division in illustration.

I couldn't be more proud of myself and my accomplishments, I've worked so hard for so long, and it finally paid of.

Yesterday went by so fast so I didn't really have the time to take in the gravity of the moment, but now I do. I cried when I realized that my dream had finally come true. I cried because I was happy, and I cried because it was over.

"Parting is such sweet sorrow"
-Shakespear

I have that feeling now. I am letting go of a part of my life. I am not a student anymore, I am not striving for a degree, I have it. I am an artist. I get to make a living doing what I love doing the most. I get to draw and paint and illustrate every day. I can't really ask for more right now.

Sure a house to live in is a necessity, but things have a way of working themselves out. I am just grateful that I have been given the chance to follow my dreams, and that I knew what it was I wanted to do with my life from an early age.

On a final note I would just like to tell everyone how much my moms support has meant to me over the years. She never pushed me, but always supported me. She never once told me I couldn't do something and I give her full credit for me getting to where I am today. The past 4 years my dear Ole has also been an invaluable support and my rock. He left all he knew just to be with me when I decided to move first to Oslo and then to England. No man I have ever known gives up almost his entire life for the woman he loves, but he did and I don't know if I could have made it without him.

Until next time
Anita Night

*happy dance and a slightly sad jig*

Yeah, this post is a bittersweet one. I've got good news and bad news for those who might read my blog.

The good news is that I passed all my classes at the University, and that I am graduating with a 2.1 BA(Hons) degree. I have to say that I am very pleased. I was hoping for a 2.1. I never thought I would graduate with a first, so I set my aims at the next best thing.

I'm looking forward to the graduation ceremony, with the cape and hat and everything. We don't really do that kind of thing in Norway. I've already ordered the cape and everything. The only thing missing would be my parents. it would be really great if they could attend the ceremony, but I realize they might not be able to because of the distance and the economy being what it is.

The bad news...I have to postpone my wedding. Moving back home to Norway in September is going to dig a huge whole in our personal savings. It's actually going to eat up all of our savings. We have been struggling so hard to save up as much as possible, but it's not going to be enough for deposits and moving costs and new furniture. Least of all our wedding. I have to admit it made me quite sad having to postpone as it was one of the things I was looking most forward to this year. But Ces't la vie right. It's only one more year and I can wait. And in the meantime I can do a bit of self-pity corset sale shopping. (www.corsets-uk.com FIY).

Beyond that I'm going to London next week to attend the New Blood exhibition in Shoreditch at the old Truman Brewery. For once we've booked an expensive hotel room so we could at least have a comfortable night of sleep and relaxation. Some of my works will be fatured at the University of Wolverhampton stand, so if you're attending New Blood please do drop by.

Until next time
Anita Night