Bachelor of Arts...

 I have a BA

I earned it

it wasn't given to me

I was a mature student used to heavy labour, chainsaws, axes, shovels, and barely able to hold a pencil and write my name 

it took the first year just to get up to speed. 

I graduated in 2000ad in Philosophy and Business and Economic History from Victoria University Wellington.

I live in a block of units where I have resided for 17 years

I have seen 4 managers come and go

the latest one on the first tour of inspection marched straight into my home and up to my diploma on the wall and the first thing she said was, "it is the intelligent ones you have to watch out for"!