Sunday, April 08, 2007

So close...

I made it through my four timed in-house questions this week...and now it's Easter and I have this ONE more comps question to write before tomorrow and I am just OUT of energy. I'm sitting in the office, which is freezing cold, and I'm falling asleep while typing. It's really sad.

So, I'm trying to convince myself that this question doesn't have to be perfect. I just have to give it my best and let it go. Done is good, right? Just to complete it should be sufficient at this point.

I was talking to Brett yesterday and telling him how I had to sit in this room all by myself for hours and hours to write these questions and how it was such a weird experience. He said, "Well, it's almost like you're trying to become a monk and this is when they shave your head and give you the robes."

It's a good analogy, although I don't actually get my degree and get to wear the robes (literally) until I've gotten over the hurdle of writing my dissertation. Either way, I do feel "stripped" somehow. When I was writing as much as I could during those three hour chunks, it felt very raw. What other situations do people get to see your thinking in its most basic form - not having undergone editing and not having enough time to even re-think parts...you just have to go with your instinct and try to represent yourself well.

Anyway, I'm really just posting because I putting off this last question. Although it was torturous to be locked in a room and write and write...at least I knew it'd be over at the end of those three hours. With this last question, I keep dragging it on and on...

More later! Happy Easter!

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

I have a great support system!

During this stressful time of comps, everyone is being so great! Kirsten gave me a survival kit a few weeks ago with starbucks, liquor, chocolate, a "damn-it" doll, and even a little bottle of champagne to celebrate with when I'm done!

Jesse brought me gerbers and has been taking over all my chores.

My parents sent me a gorgeous bouquet of pink tulips.


Keli gave me chocolate (hershey truffle kisses and dove dark chocolate!) with a framed picture of this quote:

"You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Dont' make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you." - Maya Angelou

And Laura sent me this quote:

"Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.
" - Unknown

Lots of others have sent me texts and other good luck wishes.

Before my first exam yesterday, I sat down and read some SARK as well as the affirmation book that my mom commissioned jen lemen to make for me. It was just the dose of self-confidence and calm I needed.

So, really this post is just to say THANK YOU to everyone for being a great support system!

Monday, April 02, 2007

comprehensive exams....

Tomorrow at 9 AM my comprehensive exams begin! I'm actually really excited because I just want them to be over! I've been preparing and hopefully I'm ready. I have five questions total - four questions that are closed-book and written in house (at school) and then one take-home exam I'll be writing over Easter weekend.

After I submit my writtens, then I have my oral defense scheduled for April 23rd. After that, I'll hear if I passed or not. And if I do pass, then I'll just have my dissertation left before I get that PhD. Wow!

So, wish me luck! This one week is a big deal - a culmination of the past 4 years of my graduate career! I hope I represent myself well.

Times like this, I have to keep things in perspective and remember what's really important to me. The pictures below make me happy, so I'm posting them.

This one was from when we were in Florida. Sake is on the left and then Kito is on the right.




Jesse...he came outside in my fuzzy blue slippers and fell TWICE! This picture was after he fell into the snowbank. I couldn't help it - I just laughed and laughed!




And...the hibiscus plant I grew last summer. I was very proud of this plant. So, I cannot WAIT until the weather is consistently warm again and I can grow flowers and fresh basil and sit out on my back porch and watch the fireflies. I love that.