On 7/7/2014, this is the unique date of my life - bigger than my future wedding day, because this day belongs to me, and my family, no one else. 

There are many events, many people and many experiences drew on this PhD journey. I feel very grateful for many people, some are helpful, some are harsh, but all played significant roles contributing to this degree and this part of my life. 

Before today, I heard myself saying the doctorate degree was just a stage of my life in which the experiences strengthened who I have became. Today on the graduation date I finally realise that this doctorate means much more than that. Much much more. 

  

I remember 12/9 when my Phd thesis was finally accepted by the committees, I rushed upstair to scream with joys to Tomek (physicist doctorate; 61, the only house mate at home that time). He took me to the footie town (fishery area of Aberdeen), to Polish shop for a pint of beer and a long talk by my bedroom door about how significant my life would be to the world. 

He asked me not to waste my life, my time on someone, something which don't deserve it. That is quite a bold statement, and that time I only grasp semi-understanding, maybe even lesser. However, I did memories this wise advise and I promised him every year that day I will have a pint of beer to memorise and celebrate this day.

This morning I woke up to write to him, wanting to seek for the guidance that he could give me on this very day of my life. Tomek wrote back straightaway and said he couldn't find wise words for me, as he felt I am not less wise than him anymore. But he said that he couldn't imagine me on the wrong track in the universe, so he is confident knowing my future will be right and fine. 

Today is the day - 7/7. In the morning I woke up before 6am and suddenly the waves of acknowledgement hit my emotion: I really am going to receive the PhD degree today. Everything is real, my parents are in the B&B getting ready and this evening 6:30, there would be a moment of the world to dedicate for me alone. 

In the morning, I went to pick up my doctorate gown and beanie - very stunning, pretty black & red. The style is very scholarly, Japanesely (to me). After the fitting, I went to pick up my parents to the next B&B, settling down, going for the Aberdeen market for the HK cafe that surprisingly my parents love very much whilst the HK hosts also feedback them with gratitude and care. After the stomach full, we went to my flat, having lemon water, making sure everything in dresscode order, before the photoshoot. 

The graduation photo shoot was taken place in the MacRobert building, also the same place where gowns are distributed. The photoshoot happened so fast, and now I am only holding my breath and hoping for the best outcome. I went for £99 the dual photo frame, in which both my parents and I will be framed together. A little bit pity that my brother Will and sister Grace cannot be there with us, as I chose this dual frame to present my gratitude to all of them, as this PhD cannot be completed without anyone of them. 

My graduation ceremony starts at 6:30, and I shall be in an hour earlier for the rehearsal. When all the gradients stepped out of the wing, I saw Jenny & Allen wandering on the grass. It was an exciting surprise, they passed me a meaningful stone craved with symbolic message and a lovely card. This literally brought me to tears - I am so loved. 

Then, we gradients heard the pipe music emerging, everything is so real, holy and honourable. I was one of the six doctorates on this ceremony, along with the Masters and Undergraduates. Slowly we looked all so proud, walking into the Kings College. The most honourable moment of our lives. 

The whole ceremony lasts 1 hour and half, programmed with scholars' congratulation, wisdom advise and music performance. My seat was on the first row, third from the right - the front centre of the audience seats. Thus, the first vocal singing performed by our Master students from Music Education department uses his every note to touch my heart, pumped my excitement and my joyful tears just continue to be held. 

The hardest has been conquered. If there was never a Barbara being so strict to my work, never a Mark and Jill being so caring and confident with my work, today wouldn't happen. Today is very special day - I am bidding goodbye to all the struggles in PhD journey and am rewarding myself with all the strengths and hounours received from this journey. Nothing can defeat me anymore in life, in this world.