D-fence!

On Thursday I defended my dissertation.

Huh.

I've defended my dissertation.

It hasn't quite sank in yet. I submitted my first draft in June, but due to a few extenuating circumstances, did not receive feedback until 2 weeks ago. Needless to say, the last 2 weeks have been a bit of a blur. I oscillated between feeling confident and prepared to thinking, "This is it. I'm going to be the first person in recent history who did not pass her defense." Since I've been in constant communication with my committee members, there really was no reason to think any surprises would pop up during the defense. But...my mind likes to play games with me. So, at one point early this week, I thought I'd pull an all-nighter, just to make sure I was good to go. I feel asleep at 9:30. Then, the night before, I felt like I did back in junior high and high school track, right before a race - like I wanted to vomit. I thought to myself, "Will there EVER be a time in my life when I'm not wishing the next day, the next hour, or the next minute was already over?" Who needs this much stress? Why do I insist on challenging myself and tackling things that terrify me? Like I said - barf.

The morning of the defense was nothing like I thought it would be. I got up at 5 and polished some things on my presentation, woke Ben up at 6:30 to go work out, and dropped my car off at the mechanic at 7:30. Umm...Robin...you're defending your dissertation today...FOCUS. But, clearly I needed some distraction. I finally started getting myself ready a couple of hours before the big event and decided I needed a soundtrack for the whole shebang. So, what did I pick? You, like me, would probably have guessed some mellow, depressing but thoughtful singer-songwriter. Well, we were wrong. It was Black Eyed Peas, primarily I Gotta Feeling set on repeat. Apparently when one feels like one needs to vomit, as before a race, one also has to have warm up music, as before a race. Who knew?

By 9:30, Ben and I were setting up the scene at Fuller:

Coffee for the committee, with well-wishes from our friend who happened to be a barista.

Brunch goodness, along with my invitations.

More goodness. My theory was that sugar comas and successful defenses were positively correlated.

Ta-da! Signatures obtained - I passed!

Later that night (because after the defense I had to immediately hop in the car to go to supervision and see clients) we went out to celebrate with dinner at NeoMeze and drinks at Red, White, and Bluezz.

Classy companions...with mullets.

Animated conversations.

All, in all, good friends and good times.

I think this will all become more real as time passes and I actually get to have a life again. This past weekend I had time to read the paper and buy some Christmas gifts. Today I babysat for a friend and plan on cleaning the house and the dog. I have a facial scheduled next week as a little reward for myself. And best of all? I don't feel like I have to vomit. Life is good.