claudine_c

I began my new job three weeks ago, and began a new year of theology and ministry studies the following week. Work, study and chapel add up to a full time work week. I have been trying to keep to a Monday-Friday, 9-5 (or 10-6) work day, but haven't always been successful.

I underestimated how draining it would be to adjust to two new routines at once. My academic subjects are interesting, but I have to spend most of my evenings and weekends studying to keep up. Ministry formation is more emotionally demanding in the personal engagement that is expected of students. As for my new job, I think it is the right thing for me to do at this stage, but again, there has been a lot to learn.

There can be too much of a good thing. I am exposed to mental stimulation for almost all of my waking hours. It's getting harder to wind down mentally at the end of the day, and I am often physically tired as well—not exhausted or burnt out, but not able to get enough rest either. Work and study will take a back seat during Holy Week and the first week of Easter, but that is usually an emotionally draining time.

I feel I'm just coping now, but I see the potential for trouble later on if I don't try to slow down soon.

[I have made the previous post about my new job open to the public.]

Three major transitional events in one day is rather excessive. I hope not to make a habit of it.

Thursday was my last day at my former job, and a farewell lunch was held for me yesterday. I had worked there for seven or eight years running, and had also done an earlier stint of about eighteen months. This is clearly the longest that I have worked in any one place, but I felt no regret in leaving. I had been restless in this job for over a year. I think I can say that I have left with no hard feelings. It was a good place to work, and I learned a lot, but it was time to move on to something closer to my interests.

After lunch I went to see my new boss to be briefed on my first set of tasks, which are to try to extract biographical data from an online source, and to search for related primary and secondary sources in libraries and archives. I'm going to be paid to 1) solve problems using computers and 2) do historical research. I can't get over how right this feels for me. I feel I have finally settled in the niche that I was meant to occupy at this stage in my life.

The rest of the afternoon was spent at orientation for the ministry formation programme at Trinity College. I had taken some theology subjects last year but the MFP focuses on a more holistic development for ordained or lay ministry. I am new to this programme but already know about half of the students through study or church connections. I've often felt that Anglican theological students are my 'tribe'.

This is going to be a positive year for me. It will also bring difficult decisions—I'll eventually have to decide whether to direct most of my efforts at academic or ministry formation. But I don't think I am going to be bored or restless this year.

Yesterday I graduated from the University of Melbourne as a Master of Public Health. Most of the graduates were new medical practitioners, but there were two other Masters and a few PhDs and other doctors.

(I started trying to translate our degree system for UK and USA readers but gave up. We all seem to have different terminology for doctorates and medical degrees.)

In addition, two honorary doctorates were awarded: one to Gullapalli Rao, founder of the L. V. Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, and one to the eminent historian, Geoffrey Blainey, who also delivered the occasional address. I thought it was incongruous for a historian to give the address to a mostly medical audience; on top of that, a man who was notoriously skeptical of Asian immigration was speaking to a cohort with a large number of students from Asian backgrounds. Perhaps it was someone's idea of a joke, but it came off well. Blainey told the story of Albert Coates, who rose from humble origins to become a surgeon dedicated to service to his country. Medical students and scientists would do well to listen to historians more often. Hearing the stories of their predecessors can give them a better appreciation of their role in wider society.

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I've submitted two theology essays so far this semester. The first one hasn't been returned yet but I got the second one back today. As well as having managed my time poorly (changing gear from a year-long thesis to many shorter essays is difficult), I was having a major spiritual crisis while writing this second essay—in fact, I think the content of the essay was one of a few triggers for this crisis. So I was expecting a borderline pass, or even to be asked to rewrite it.

I got a distinction.

It's a little reassuring to see that my usual pattern of low expectations and high results is continuing in a new field of study. Now it would be nice if I could change that pattern (the low expectations part) and save myself some agony.

In today's mail:

- copies of my research report
- letter informing me that I have completed the requirements for the Master of Public Health

My grade isn't fantastic but it's good enough. I'll hold off reading the examiners' reports until tomorrow. I'm inclined to forgo the graduation ceremony and get the degree sent in the mail; I feel I've already moved on from this part of my life.

I submitted my report this morning. I took a photo of the printed and bound copies, but my camera won't communicate with my laptop (Ubuntu Dapper, gthumb, it used to work so I don't know what's wrong now) so you'll have to take my word for it.

Afterwards I went to Mass, then I spent $70 on books. The rest of my life begins now.

My supervisor has run out of suggestions. The report is as ready as it will ever be. I'm submitting it tomorrow (and I'm not going to rush to get it in before 5pm!).

My supervisor has suggested clarifications and stylistic changes, but no change to the substance of the report. I should be done by Friday or even earlier.

This really is getting close to completion. It doesn't feel real. I guess I really don't trust myself.

I meet my supervisor tomorrow. My deadline for submission is Friday. It could all end in tears; or I might just be very pessimistic.

Some people seem to assume that I can read/understand Latin, perhaps because I fit the profile of someone who would. Alas, my school had given up on classical languages before I started. I never got round to trying Latin or Greek at university. Most of the Latin I know is what I've picked up from the Mass.

I'd like to become acquainted with the basics of Latin grammar. When I learned languages I always coped better with reading and grammar than with conversation, so trying to learn a dead language might not be too challenging. I might start Biblical Greek next year and I don't want to try learning two languages at once. Do you think it would be feasible to try getting acquainted with Latin in the next six months? Bear in mind that I'll probably take two introductory theology subjects next semester. Can anyone recommend a textbook suitable for self study?

I've always been intellectually restless. I'm looking forward to completing my MPH project in less than three weeks, not just for the satisfaction of completing it, but also because I'm ready to start learning new things.