Monday, March 31, 2008

03/29/2008

Never has a date looked so inviting. Never have I waited with bated breath for something so much. Perhaps Chip’s arrival would be the only other thing I can think of. On the little fabric board next to my desk at work is a piece of paper. A calendar actually. With some dates blacked out. Mostly weekends, some whole weeks. For almost two years I have stared at this bit of paper, my eyes transfixed on this one date. March 29, 2008. And not just because it was the day BigGeek turned 34 (Happy Birthday, honey). But because he’s done. With his MBA classes. All done. Finished. Finito. I had saved writing this post for the day he actually graduated. Which is the middle of May. But I can’t contain myself. I am happy and relieved and teary and many other things.

What started as a 22 month executive program in one of the nation’s top Universities was not unsurprisingly, a grueling boot camp with a workload demanding enough to make the most dedicated student break out in sweat. With a demanding job, a demanding toddler, a demanding health and a wife who was not exactly an understanding one, not 24/7 at any rate, and other demanding issues too personal to mention here, he did it. I have always called him fondly as my Rock of Gibraltar, never thinking or rather never hoping his mettle would be tested thusly as it has been in the past two years. And for that he deserves more than an MBA degree.

When BigGeek was accepted at this school and started his classes on June 21, 2006, Chip had barely started to walk. Two years seemed like a long way ahead. “By the time BigGeek graduates, Chip would have started to talk.” I would often say to myself in awe. It seemed like such a long two years then. And in some ways, they were. What started as a minor inconveniences – loosing BigGeek on some weekends and then slowly on most weekday evenings, became one trying game of jugglery. It’s hard to sandwich a life and a job between study group meetings, zillions of cases to read, assignments, online lessons, on grounds sessions day after day without a break. It was hard work. Really, really hard work and while he enjoyed the classes and shared the camaraderie of his classmates, he had no respite. He is relieved now, as his weekday evenings and weekends look enticingly empty, but there is going to be a part of him that misses the carefree time he had when he was on-grounds at school.

The last month had been a fitting finale to our crazy lives. BigGeek left for India on a business trip on Feb.14, got back on Feb 26, went to school Feb 29 to March 1. Chip and I left for India on March 1, BigGeek left for China on March 4, he got back home on March 15, Chip and I got back home on March 19, he went back to school from March 23-29. I am sure I lost you all somewhere in mid-March. But all that is history and thankfully so. As I made breakfast this morning, I felt a sense of lightness and relief I haven’t felt in a long time. I don’t know if good tidings will come our way this year, I certainly pray and wish they do, but we have one happy graduate-to-be amongst us. And that is good enough for me.

26 comments:

rayshma said...

aww... happy b'day to BigGeek... and congratulations!! to Big Geek AND to u.
i can't wait to say "he graduates" on my blog :( i simply cross my fingers *and toes* and hope i can do that 'graduation' piece by this year end.

noon said...

Happy birthday to Big Geek!
Congratulations to both of you! To him for all his hard work and to you for supporting him through it all...he could not have done it had you not been supportive...it's OK if it is not perfect support 24/7 - you did support him most of the time! :)
Am so happy for both of you - must be thrilling am sure! Enjoy the free time with BG!

dipali said...

Happy Birthday, BG, and may you have a long, healthy and happy life.
God bless you all, Dotmom and family, and great big congratulations too.

Altoid said...

Birthday wishes and Congratulations to BigGeek and best wishes to all of you.

Usha said...

That is a huge landmark achievement - especially after marriage and a child. Congratulations to all of you and the very best wishes for all that is to come after the two years of hard work. Sit back, relax and wait for the sweetness of the fruits of labor to start kicking in.

Tharini said...

Happy Birthday to Big Geek. And congratulations to him on the well deserved finale to his MBA. No part of your hectic lives sounded easy and I am really happy for you guys, that you both made it to his day!

Sukhaloka said...

Happy, happy birthday to BigGeek, and congratulations on making it through healthy and intact after everything :).

Maggie said...

Congratulations! I'm sure BigGeek will give some of the credit to you and Chip, right? ;-)

Happy birthday to BigGeek as well. Wishing him much health and happiness.

Anonymous said...

happy birthday and congratulations to the BG and you guys!!
this is fantastic. much success and happiness always to your family!

Timepass said...

Happy Bday to the BG and Congratulations too..

~nm said...

Belated birthday wishes to you hubby!

So its time for double celebrations!

I can surely imagine how tough it must have been for hubby dear and for you too! Good that you both have sailed through it!

its an achievement for both of you in fact! If it hadn't been for your support (even if not 24/7) he wouldn't have succeeded!

So give a pat on your back too!

Sunita Venkatachalam said...

Wow double whammy ! Happy Birthday and happy graduation day. Plan something special for him Dottie, make a HUGE fuss of it, he certainly deserves it. After all that he's been through (and you too!)

I'm all excited for you guys.

Anonymous said...

Oh! That is sooo cool. Congratulations to the graduating Geek and the patient twiddling Geekess and the now walking Geeklet. YEY!!! My husband is thinking of grad school MBA too, he feels it might get too demanding, but let's see. Have fun. You can all sit happy and shake some leg.

Yet Another Mother Runner said...

I know first-hand seeing you guys what a whirlwind of a time it was the past two years! Totally admire all of you for helping him complete it successfully and making it look easy too!
So, Congratulations to all of you!!!

btw, still shamelessly waiting for the undhioo and puran poli :)

Anusha said...

a huge CONGRATS to BigGeek - what an inspiration he is! to take on one more challenge without sinking into complacence.
and you, you seem to be as must a Rock of Gibraltar - for he could not have done this without your steady support - moral and physical. so congrats to you too!
wish you both many more successes ahead!

I love Lucy said...

This is great news!Many congratulations to Big Geek!!

Anonymous said...

Oh Dotmom! What a journey you guys have been through. Hearty congratulations to Big Geek and a happy pat for you, DM. Now is the time to rejoice. Sharing the happiness with you, DM. Good going.
==
I am going through what you went through. And hence absolutely relate to each word in your post. Sometimes the going goes so tough that I am this close to telling Mr.Upsi to call it off and cancel his studies. Your post is an inspiration, that there is light at the end of this tunnel.
==

AA_Mom said...

I can totally relate when you say whirlwind of a time as I did my Masters (2nd one) along with a full time job.

Congratulations on both the fronts to both of you.

Mira's mom said...

Hey... congratulations to Big Geek and the strong Dotmom! I am sure this calls out for a great celebration! Have a fantastic time!:-)

Gauri said...

Happy Birthday to Big Geek and Congratulations on the well deserved finale of the MBA program.

Wishing all of you loads of love, good luck, health and happiness in the years to come.

Hugs

G

the mad momma said...

hey!!!!!!!!! congratulations and belated birthday wishes to the big geek. i know what a big deal this must be to you. the OA did his management degree while we were engagemed and what financial and mental turmoil that put us through!

all the best hon.. you guys deserve every bit of happiness that comes your way.. its been a tough year.

Savani said...

rayshma: Good luck to V. It must be tough on you too!

noon: it is thrilling yeah :)

dipali: he send this thanks. as do we.

altoid: thanks, girl!

Usha: Thanks.. it is something.. especially after a child. I won't recommend it :)

Tharini: hectic is as hectic choose :) Thanks sooo much!

suki: thanks girl!

candyfloss: I think he will :)

Mona: thank you so much dear!

Timepass: Thanks, hon!

~nm: yeah it is.. thanks for the pat on the back!

poppin: will you come to his graduation party?

binaryfootprints: I LOVE that moniker. very cool! And thankyou for bestowing the honor of Geekess. Hope I live up to :) The geeklet, I think he so is it. MBA is demanding. but good fun. Go for it.

GND: You know it wuld not have been possible for the umteen times we called on you. The undhioo is waiting fr you too. Will drop it off today. Pooran poli has ben postponed due to the cold I am sufferig from:(

Kodi's mom: ack. you are being so flattering and nice. Thanks :)

I love lucy: Thanks :)

Upsi: Thanks woman. And hang in there. It IS tough. When does Mr.Upsi graduate. Hope is very very soon and hugs to you for being there.

AA_Mom: Hats off to you too! Its not easy! Thanks.

Mira's mom: Popping open the bubbly :) Thanks.

Gauri: Thanks for the lovely wishes.

madmomma: It is a financial and a mental turmoil! Thanks!

Choxbox said...

congrats and hats off to you too!

Dusty Fog said...

it is a lovely life...have a great year ahead all of you...!!

Just Like That said...

Happy B'day to Big Geek (belated- am here late) and a BEEEEG congratulations to all of you for the graduation. Am so happy for you guys.:-)

Unknown said...

I guess am late with the congratulations but that account of the MBA unnerved me a bit. Am planning to take the GMAT by the autumn and now am wondering whether it would be the right thing to do now that I have a baby and all...sigh...choices choices..