Thnx for all good wishes. And ...
Listener : If you get the chance, it would be great if you could post some of the highlights you come across or conclude.
That's hard to do sometimes, as many 'highlights' have complex backgrounds. But most of the stuff I've posted reflects (in someway) some areas of my studies. Asia, past and present, covers an amazing amount of information.
I post most days on a student societies FB page on Asian studies, in the last few days, topics I've selected range from using predictive modelling to look (in the north of the Indian sub-continent) for Ashoka's Buddhist inscriptions on rocks, to information concerning the Roman Emperor Hadrian's Temple in the Erdek district of Balıkesir in northwest Turkey. to the increase in the number of Australian students now selecting a Chinese University for their studies. to the use of cross-Asia rail by Chinese exporters to Europe, to the radicalisation of Chinese seamen (given refuge in Australia) by Australian left-wingers during WW2, and that is taking increasing amounts of my time.
I joined that group just after it was founded, but after I was given the role of editor, the group management effectually collapsed. I've built readership up from a handful to, for some posts, up to 200 views. Its been an interesting experience.
Listener: I imagine that after 8 years you will miss your studies. Some people continue to study their whole life and find ways of contributing to society.
I'm considering a couple of options. One is to do a Master of Research Post grad course here at Macquarie U. The other, is to undertake a Master's degree in Chinese History at the University of Zhejiang, located in Hangzhou, China. That University is in the top 10 of Chinese universities and I love Hangzhou as a city. The fee is only around Aust.$10,000 (covers fees and accomm, shared room), but I think I stand a chance of a scholarship (not sure how my age would affect that)