Sunday 5 August 2012

Mastering Chemistry

Welcome to my latest Sunday Story.  This one had a beginning back in October 2008, a middle in between and its finale just a few weeks ago - on Friday 13th.  Unlucky for some.  Not, however for No.1 Son (though he will deny that there was any luck involved and insist that it was all down to his hard work)

It all started somewhat inauspiciously when his A-level grades meant that he did not get into his first choice of university.  Thankfully he was accepted by his second choice and he started partying studying hard, learning his way around the bars of Newcastle Chemistry labs and making loads of new friends.
In order to maximise his future job prospects, No.1 Son had chosen a course with an extra year in industry and had to start applying for a work placement at the beginning of his 2nd year.  Trouble was, Britain's industries were struggling ... our economic downturn meant that companies were offering fewer placements and only the very top students managed to get fixed up.  So, along with all but six of his cohort, No.1 Son had to convert his course back to a standard degree.
He loved student life studying in Newcastle and didn't relish leaving yet, so he missed a few parties upped his grades to allow him to add a research year to his degree.  That final year was oh so hard ... No.1 Son even postponed his 21st birthday celebrations because it fell during the run up to some exams.  His missed parties hard work paid off though and on Friday 13th we watched our clever, clever boy receive his Masters in Chemistry

Photo - Proud family at graduation

The rain held off long enough for us to take lots of photos before and after the ceremony.  It was wonderful to see No.1 Son with such a lovely bunch of friends from his course, some of whom were house-mates, lab partners, study buddies and one, who is, currently, significantly more :o)

Layout - Mastering Chemistry - Jimjams

This page was made with my July Counterfeit Kit and utilises a lot of machine stitching ... I love stitching on my pages ... and I'm playing along with Clair's stitchery class here.  It's FREE!  Why not join me?


You can also join in with Sunday Storytelling, either by reading more stories here or telling one yourself and linking it over at High In The Sky.

20 comments:

Maria Ontiveros said...

Congratulations! A great picture, story and layout.
Rinda

Missus Wookie said...

Oh congratualtions to him! The lack of placements is a worry for so many students at the moment.

Love the stitching lines too.

furrypig said...

congratulations well done yo your son, I hope he finds the perfect job now. Your scrapping is lovely Jemma and wow all that stitching!

K said...

Well done that lad! Not only on getting his Masters but for putting so much hard work into it and making the necessary sacrifices, I'm sure it made the celebrations he did attend even more memorable

Lou said...

a lovely story from a very proud mum x

Mary B said...

Great story with such a good ending/beginning
love that LO too

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

Wonderful story! Congratulations to him!

Sian said...

Many congratulations to him! Anyone who does Chemistry has my complete admiration..I set the lab curtain on fire when I was in 4th form and they didn't want me back after that :)

A lovely story on a weekend when we are all cheering on achievement! Thanks Jemma

Julie Kirk said...

Many congratulations! Now I see why you were oop North.

Irene said...

Gorgeous lay-out. Just love all that stitching.
Quite an achievement on the part of your number one son and a lovely photograph of his special day.

Alison said...

Great LO and story..Congratulations to your son, and I'm certain student life in Newcastle was very like Kirsty's in Barcelona!!
Alison xx

Lisa-Jane said...

Love the colours in the layout! Glad it all worked out in the end for him, sometimes fate steps in doesn't it?

Unknown said...

Congratulations to you all and didn't he also have an accident in the midst of his studying/partying? Good Job.

Beverly said...

Bravo! You have every right to be proud!

Clair said...

What a beautiful page. It's got a minimal feel, until you notice all of that additional texture. What's that underneath all of your stitching?

Thanks for mentioning the class as well, it's very much appreciated. Feel free to link up this layout for the prize, as you didn't create as one of your Guest Designs, it counts! xxx

Susanne said...

Oh, great photos and pretty, pretty page - the stitching adds a lot. Thanks for sharing the story too - my son recently graduated and because of the economy didn't get his first choice of job right out of school. Luckily just 3 months later, he received the employment offer he really wanted. It's nice when things turn out as you hope - even if you have to wait a little longer.

humel said...

Many congrats to your clever boy! And I love the stitchery on your layout :)

Emily D. said...

Wow...what an accomplishment for your son, and something for you all to be proud of!! Way to go!! All of the hard work really does pay off! I love the layout... that stitchery is awesome!!!

Unknown said...

I love how you told the story. The crossed out words spoke volumes and you had me giggling the whole way through. Congratulations to your son, that would not have been an easy degree.
I also love all the stitching you did on your page.

Melissa said...

What a fantastic accomplishment - congrats to the graduate! Loved your edited story!