First off, the news - I got onto my Masters course! I've had a hard time explaining quite what it means to people - so settle back for a while. My BA automatically becomes an MA after a while, because Oxford is seen as being a harder course than most. I will be doing an MSt (Master of Studies) which is a basically what Oxford calls it so that it can be distinguished from the automatic masters... does that make sense?? Gramatically, rather than logically. Oxford doesn't do logic.
It is exciting, but I'm trying not to get *too* excited, as I might very well not get funding, and then I'll have to consider my options. But, as they say, my Plan B is God's Plan A.
And the query - Patch's starring role the other day reminded me of something I've been meaning to ask the world at large. The Carbon Copy and I discovered a while ago that we had the same recurring dream, from early childhood to (for me) 15 or 16. In it, there are multiple clones of our favourite cuddly toy (Patch for me; Pluggy for him - a polar bear who only eats plugs) - this never seems odd in the dream, but is accepted. Does everyone have this dream whist growing up, or is it to do with self-identity and being a twin? Hmm... answers on a postcard, please. Or in the comments...
Dark Puss had (and has) many and vivid dreams, but they are (for me) indistinguisable from reality so no "cuddly toys" ever appeared in my youth either singly or in multiples! As a young adult I began to realize that I could taste and smell food/wine in dreams and (and much less pleasantly) I could feel pain too.
ReplyDeleteHope the funding comes through for you.
Congratulations, Simon, this is splendid news!
ReplyDeleteHurrah! I feel a keen interest in the career-bit of your blog, as I went to Magdalen, and have toyed with the idea of returning for an MSt (in History - but have been away too long, I think). Good for you, enjoy it. Are you going back to Magdalen?
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS on getting onto your Masters course ... well well done.
ReplyDeleteAnd no, I've never had a recurring dream ... although I have had those horrible anxiety dreams that I think we all get ... where you're running as fast as you can but you're not moving, or where you arrive naked for a meeting ... and, and this was the oddest, I was Gertrude waiting in the wings for my cue. But I knew, as I waited in the wings, that I had no idea what my lines - any of them - were. I was wearing an olive-green velvet dress ... . I'm sure a psychiatrist would have a field day.
Congratulations on being accepted in the program, Simon - good going - hope the funding comes through. Will you eventually do the library degree too? I hope so. Sign me, Wife of an academic Librarian (now retired), nancy b t
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your wonderful news. Good luck with the funding! The only recurring dream I have is one where I am waiting tables (one job I had when I was younger was a waitress)and I can't keep up with all the diners and their demands. I guess I must have these when I'm feeling particularly stressed, but I'd rather have a cuddly toy dream!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I'm a US student, just accepted to the MSt for 1780 - 1900! I'm still waiting to hear back from a few other programs to which I have applied, but Oxford is certainly a top choice ... perhaps I will see you next year!
ReplyDeleteSarah, how wonderful! Which colleges did you put down? We should definitely meet up if/when you decide upon Oxford.
ReplyDeleteMy top two were Magdalen (I'm such a CS Lewis fan, haha) and Balliol. I understand that both have large graduate communities and offer student accommodation, which is wonderful for internationals! And you?
ReplyDeleteMagdalen is my top choice too, Sarah! And then Linacre.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the odds? Haha. I will certainly keep you updated with which college accepts me ... and whether Oxford ends up being my choice for the fall! I should be hearing back from these last two grad schools soon, then I will know for sure. It's such a blessing to have options!
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