thoughts on finally receiving a postgraduate diploma

After months of being jerked around by the Graduate School, the Registrar's Office of Colorado State University finally sent me my "Master of Arts" diploma. It has three signatures, a shiny embossed seal, my full name in midieval font, and a horizontal crease running the length of the document. The horizontal crease comes courtesy of the mail carrier, who responded to the "Diploma-Do Not Bend" phrase printed on the cardboard envelope with a mixture of defiance and brute force before cramming it in my mailbox.

I can't complain too much, however. Considering the general disdain CSU's vile bureaucracy shows its unfortunate student body, I'm surprised the diploma wasn't sent to me via e-mail attachment with instuctions to print upon reception.

In terms of life-altering and significant milestones, this achievement doesn't rank terribly high (at least not at the present). It isn't a degree I've been dreaming of since childhood, but it did get me out of the liquor store I spent 15 months working at.

Also, it's the second to last obstacle to clear on my path to a career in Japan. The final obstacle will be the approval of my Japanese Work Visa, which should happen next month. After I'm cleared to work in Japan, I'll officially be able to start throwing away 95% of my possessions in preparation of my move in late March.

Anyway, if anyone's reading this, expect a post about the Japanese Work Visa in the middle of February. I might need to pick it up at the Japanese Consulate in Denver--a fun and exotic field trip, worthy of a detailed blog entry! Until then, I likely won't post much, unless I get an opportunity to see if CSU's Library has published my thesis. That might also be post-worthy.