Back in the saddle

After just over two weeks of holiday in Joburg and at Sun City, I arrived back in the "Last Outpost" late yesterday afternoon feeling refreshed and ready for the challenges that lie ahead in my second semester at seminary.

But this time "forewarned is forearmed" as the saying goes, since I have a far better idea of what to expect.  I now know that the dual requirements of being formed for both graduation and ordination will mean another hectic few months trying to grapple with seven or eight subjects.  And that's okay, since despite my doubts to the contrary (accompanied by a great deal of whingeing - sorry, Ross!), I actually DID survive with my nerves and marriage intact, managing to pass all of my subjects in the process.  This time around it won't all come as a huge shock to me, and so I'll be able to hit the ground running (as compared to six months ago when I hit the ground rolling).

It also means that, as far as my BTh is concerned, I am now officially in my final year of study, and it's exciting to be on the "home stretch".  Of course, the "red mist" has descended once again as I prepare to commence with a PhD in economics and theology.  While I have been given the go-ahead to start working (unofficially) on the propsal, the legal prohibition on simultaneous registration with more than one tertiary institution prevents me from formally registering as a PhD cnadidate until the BTh has been completed.  The result is double excitement over the next 12 months - the completion of one qualification, and the beginning of a whole new academic adventure.

Returning to the present, tomorrow kicks off with our first "vocational intensive".  At this stage I don't really know what it will be about, except that it will have something to do with my vocation, and no doubt it will be quite intense!  (Talk about me being a mine of useless information.)  All part of growing up...