Ideas for me

princess83

I don't think anyone here will agree with me, but I think if you want it that much than just buy it! You get to keep it forever and it will always remind you of what you have achieved! I always think if you spend lots of money on something you really want its not a waste compared to spending less money on something you don't really want that you won't use!!

xx

birduk

Mjburton, maybe New York is a touch expensive... but maybe you may also find a good bargain flight. STA travel do some excellent deals.

Princess, you are right, it is nice to have something you can have forever and remind me of what I have achieved. A certificate doesn't quite cut it!

Oh and yes, we do all deserve a good reward after many years of no holidays and working through the night to achieve what we achieve. Only somebody that has been through that would understand to be honest. Every person I know is desperate to get away after finishing a big course!

sethsgran

Why not do a google search for " career gifts" might help you

SugarSpun

Have you had the viva yet? How did it go?

floss2

birduk wrote: »

Oh and yes, we do all deserve a good reward after many years of no holidays and working through the night to achieve what we achieve. Only somebody that has been through that would understand to be honest. .....

I have been through it, and so have my 2 children - as the supporting spouse to an immature mature student - who, after we divorced, blamed me because his employer went into receivership, saying if I hadn't pushed him into going to uni he wouldn't have been made redundant! It was like having 3 children - 2 under 6 and a 32yr old going on 18. And yes, we had no holidays for 5 years, and I worked fulltime outside the home & did everything inside the home while he "studied" so hard he had to repeat a year and finally got a 3rd.
And no, that wasn't why we split up - that came 3 years later.

I would buy yourself a memento to congratulate yourself on the occasion, and put your £1000 into your house fund - you've worked hard & that is where you would have been saving if you had been able to.

birduk

floss2 wrote: »

I have been through it, and so have my 2 children - as the supporting spouse to an immature mature student - who, after we divorced, blamed me because his employer went into receivership, saying if I hadn't pushed him into going to uni he wouldn't have been made redundant! It was like having 3 children - 2 under 6 and a 32yr old going on 18. And yes, we had no holidays for 5 years, and I worked fulltime outside the home & did everything inside the home while he "studied" so hard he had to repeat a year and finally got a 3rd.
And no, that wasn't why we split up - that came 3 years later.

I would buy yourself a memento to congratulate yourself on the occasion, and put your £1000 into your house fund - you've worked hard & that is where you would have been saving if you had been able to.

Floss, do I sense some bitterness? Quite rightly so though love! Honestly it wasn't me! I paid my own way through university (all 10 years of it), worked practically full time in Tesco for many years to do it. Bizarely ended up subsidising one of my exes who was supposed to be working full-time but ended up in ridiculous amounts of debt because he couldn't control his own finances and also ended up owing me a small fortune! So it can also work the other way too....

As for how it went, well I managed to talk for Britain thanks for asking and now just have the minor corrections to do! :beer: Soooo happy, but very very very tired.

I also have been looking at the prices of binding the thesis- HOW MUCH??? :mad: I shall be trying to steal printing facilities at my old place to pay for it, otherwise will be about £600 (two volumes x 4 copies).

Am still thinking about what to get though.... I know I sound so selfish!

baby_fuzz

birduk wrote: »

I also have been looking at the prices of binding the thesis- HOW MUCH??? :mad: I shall be trying to steal printing facilities at my old place to pay for it, otherwise will be about £600 (two volumes x 4 copies).

That does sound a little pricy - is that from the university print shop?

P.S. no - you're not selfish for still wanting something for yourself. You should give yourself a little reward for your hard work - and it will keep you motivated! I liked the idea of the silver (+engraved), but perhaps you might consider something a little sillier (that might help you get in shape for summer!) like a Wii console? I got one a while back, and I have had loads of laughs with family and friends - well worth it!:p

talkhard

BUY IT! .. I've a personalised number plate and its the best gift I've ever gotten. By far the most memorable as I look at it every single day and I know I'll have it for the rest of my life. How many people can say that about a gift they've gotten or bought for themselves?

It's also an amazing way to celebrate a PhD as its an appropriate expense for the blood, sweat and tears that have gotten you this far. If you do get it, post a picture!

floss2

talkhard wrote: »

......and I know I'll have it for the rest of my life. How many people can say that about a gift they've gotten or bought for themselves? .....

That's what I thought about both my ex-husband AND my private plate....:rolleyes:

I now have neither of those, but I do have a wonderful darling fiance

floss2

birduk wrote: »

Floss, do I sense some bitterness? Quite rightly so though love! Honestly it wasn't me! .......

No.....not bitter at all....not now, and I'm all untwisted now too :rolleyes:

It makes me laugh now - how pathetic an excuse is that for something nobody can predict?!

BTW, I'm sure you will find somewhere cheaper for binding - maybe somewhere away from your uni-town?