I'm only days away from leaving Oxford for good after finishing my PhD. Now I can finally move on, both geographically and emotionally, knowing that I she is just an ordinary girl like anyone else. That's quite a relief to be honest, because all of a sudden I've stopped cherishing and worshipping her false image of perfection. I'm no longer looking for someone "as good" as her. I feel free now.

UPDATE UPDATE
I'm devastated. I've just found out that the girl has been with a new boyfriend --not from the US-- for over one year now. What happened to all what she told me about commitment and stuff? What about the previous boyfriend who was working hard and saving for the house back in the US? Now I can say that she came to Oxford looking for a new bf and I just happened to cross her path. Was I wrong to reveal my feelings back then? What a load of rubbish.

I don't think the PhD is absolutely necessary about finding something completely new, but rather about claiming that you found something new. "What convinces us is not necessarily true, it is merely convincing"--Friedrich Nietzsche

Good, go for it!

It certainly helps, go for it. The MSc is only one year anyways, so, can't you give up one year of "good time" for something you'll be proud all of your life and will help you later on? The distinction, however, is not the only factor when considering admission. I got mine and my current supervisor told me that without work experience he wouldn't have considered me. Another of his students didn't have distinction but managed to get in. And even another student had a distinction but failed to proceed to 2nd year.

Life as a student is better because there is a definite goal to reach within a certain deadline. I was in the real world for 5 years and there was nothing to be achieved, only living day by day a meaningless routine in order to get money.

Actually, if I could, I would go back to first year undergrad in History, Geography, and Languages--my real passions--rather than practice the stuff I studied--Engineering, Information Systems and Business.

Because life in the "real world" sux! It's better to be a student

Is it possible to study for a master's in a different field in a different country after a PhD? I'm currently at an Oxbridge biz school doing a PhD but am interested in studying for a Master's in Public Policy in Singapore or a Master's in Development in Germany.

Somewhere in India perhaps? East Asia? Easter Europe or Latin America? Any ideas?

I guess there must be "a place in the world" where a PhD from Oxbridge and £25k in savings are equivalent to a ticket for life. Where could that be?

Thanx for your comments angie81. No offence at all. I certainly agree that chasing ideals gets you nowhere and that perfection can never be achieved. I just acknowledged that as I was reading the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible and reflecting about my PhD, that girl, and life in general. I think I'll take a year off after the PhD. I've already started talking to Christian friends about all of this and they've been great.

Your secular/worldly rationale will never stop amazing me. I did not convert because I want to steal her--a very creepy and un-Christian idea--, but rather because I want to understand the faith that fuels such commitment as the one she shows to her suitor. Admittedly, also because chances are higher of finding a righteous lady among Christians.

Update: I've just converted to Christianity and now I pray to God that he shows me the right way to go about my personal issues--including that lady.

Why do you people dump each other?

I guess what I'm really looking for is a padawan to pass all my knowledge on and have (non-se*ual) fun with.