Thursday, August 15th

Thursday, the day of the long awaited Leaving Certificate results has swiftly come and gone. Never, even in my greatest moments of enthusiasm had I expected to be greeted by my school principal, calmly handed my results and be asked if I would be pleased with 3 As and 3 Bs. And these were my results. At present, my head is spinning after a night of rejoicing with friends.

Friday, August 16th

Only today have I really come to realise the extent of my achievement. My grades add up to 520 points - a surplus of 40 points over what was required for English and German in Trinity last year.

My mother has wistfully reminded me that the results of her teaching diploma consisted solely of As and Bs. "But of course," I assured her, "you are your daughter's mother." My family and friends phoned with their congratulations all day.

Saturday, August 17th

I went busking with Ciara in the early morning. Business was slack, so by noon we went home. She had ample points, she hoped, for Engineering in UCD. We both find the results somewhat of an anti climax after the pressures of the past year. It reminds me of a line in Waiting for Godot which I went to see tonight - "what do we do now, now that we're happy?"

Monday, August 19th

My second summer job started. The County Council is a pleasant environment to work in and my tasks are far from strenuous. There are five other student workers. None of us wishes to discuss our desires for the future lest we be crestfallen by Wednesday.

Tuesday 20th August

My part time job is an enlightening experience. I am learning to humble myself sufficiently to take orders and to restrain myself when I am tempted to air my opinions on certain people or topics.

Wednesday, August 21st

I met the postman on my way to work. "I presume it's these you want, Grainne," he said as he handed me my offers. I opened the envelopes and absorbed my destiny. Trinity College Dublin. Beckett, Goethe and freedom here I come.

Friday, August 23rd

I am suffering from a severe lack of sleep and also lack of food. This is totally self inflicted, due to excessive socialising and a vain attempt to crash diet in order to do justice to my elegant new debs' dress. My priorities for the debs' have been the dress, the shoes, the man and in that order! At last they have all been obtained.

Saturday, August 24th

Preparations for Trinity are now well under way. Today I went to Dublin to see an apartment owned by a friend's parents, close to Trinity. Judith is to share with me and so we went to visit it together. Already I have become more excited and less apprehensive.