Now here’s the reason for my long absence from this board:
I’ve just passed my last exams and graduated from university!
The long time of student jobs is finally over, now I’m going to earn real money for my work… Just in time to ease my beginning case of WhOA. 
You have a job, then?
Awesome.
Yeah! I’m one lucky person. I got my job a looooong time before I even gratuated. I’m really blessed these days.
Far be it from me to misinterpret that which I don’t understand but is
gratuated
a Joycean term or a humble typo.
I have already conceived several thoughts as to what it may or may not mean but if it is only a typo..it was a interesting one.
Slan,
D. 
Thanks for pointing out this one, dubhlinn!
Nope, unfortunately I am not this brilliant and not afraid to admit to it, too.
Months of extreme learning sessions and very little sleep can do that to you. 
So the very interesting “gratuated” just went back to the boring old “graduated” I originally intended.
I jest of course.
My Grandmother - a formidable woman by any account - had an expression of contempt which was a “Grat”.
I never heard it from anybody else, nor does the expression exist in the Dublin vernacular.
She probably never even heard of Joyce and if she did she would, more than likely. refer to him as a “Grat”.
Strange but true…
Slan,
D. 
That’s excellent Tikva!! Congratulations to you!
Congrats. Your avatar suggests completion in a course on veterinary medicine. Is that correct?
djm
I know you are relieved and excited. Congratulations! That is quiet an accomplishment.
Yes, do tell-is this job in the large/small animal line?
(if so, then board exams next?)
An expression of contempt… Mmh, I really should go and change it back to gratuate, then.
Nope, it’s not. I just love dogs and this one went just perfect with my real profession: human medicine. - Honestly, can anyone resist the huge floppy ears?
Next up: Board certification for anesthesiology in about 5-6 years. As they say, it never ends.
Congradulations on your gratuation!
Say, doc, I have been having this pain …
We have one of those in the family, they put me to sleep, seriously, real snoozers. 
Can’t complain, I get free ink pens and note pads from all the conferences they have to attend. 
At least you will be getting paid for passing gas.
djm
Ah, just the right job to set off my usually bubbly personality.
Pens and note pads? You know, ever since I have started out on my medical studies, there’s a room with a sign attached to it: “Enter at your own risk - Paper/Pen avalanches might crush you”…
Congratulations!
All the best in the new job!
Ro and Lesley