More Than a Degree

Hi,

Here I am again, burning the midnight oil. But tonight, it's not just the deadline keeping me up, it's a trip down memory lane to the land Down Under. My buddy, Abang Din, went back to Wollongong today and decided to mercilessly spam our group chat with photos of him revisiting all our old hangouts. The weather and views look amazing since it's spring there, and I know he did it for one reason only, to make us all green with envy!😑

I’m usually the silent lurker in group chats. I read everything (just in case someone's planning a surprise party so I wouldn't miss it 😂), then I delete it all without a second thought. But tonight, the nostalgia hit me hard. I found myself scrolling back through years of old posts and pictures, and suddenly, I was a part of the conversation again. In silent of course. 😉

Reading all those stories and seeing all those photos was like a warm hug from the past. It put a big, goofy smile on my face. I didn't realize until now just how much my time in Wollongong changed me. If anyone asks what I did for four years there, my first answer is always the same. "I did my PhD". That's the simple, straightforward answer. It's the official story.

But the real story isn't on that degree.

The real story is written in the late-night coffee runs, the spontaneous road trips, and the friends who became family. It’s in the salty air of the beach and the echo of laughter from our favourite chill spots. It's in the quiet conversations that taught me more about life than any textbook ever could.

That degree says I earned a title, but those years gave me a life. They gave me a community, a collection of shared experiences, and a new perspective on the world. The challenges I faced weren't just about my studies, they were about learning how to be resilient, how to connect with people from all walks of life, and how to build a home far away from home.

So, while I'm proud of completing the degree, I'm even more grateful for everything that isn't on it. My time in Wollongong was more than an academic pursuit, it was a journey of a lifetime. And that's a story worth telling.

This photo, taken exactly 10 years ago, still gives me chills every time I look at it. The emotion isn't about the degree itself, but everything that went into the process of earning it. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget about the moments that shaped us. So, here's a little reminder, those good old days weren't just a moment in time, they were the foundation for who we are today. Keep chasing new memories, but don't forget to look back and appreciate the ones that made you who you are. And remember, the best stories are still ahead! 💕