The day had come at last. My final presentation to the department on my research project. I had been working and worrying on this project for 2 years. Plagued with problems and clouded with confusion, it was something I was whole-heartedly looking forward to finishing. The day before was probably the worst way to prepare- an entire 9 hours of testing 3 year olds. I woke up Friday with my eyes dragging. I did jumping jacks. I drank coffee. I took deep breaths. I walked the block in the crisp Fall air. I sat down in my chair and dialed the tele-con number.
I said my name into the phone and the other presenter said hers. We heard commotion in the background as everyone piled in and loaded up on coffee and doughnuts. "Good," I thought, "get as much sugar as you can, so you're in a good mood." The next hour was not what we expected, however. I guess some people had not gotten enough sugar. Our two presentations were critiqued and argued over. Thank god my data slide did not show up; the other girl had several slides of data and they ripped it apart. I could imagine her crying on the inside! And to know that first-year students were witnessing this train wreck was humiliating. One first-year actually got on the microphone after I was done and asked what my advice would be to her. "Start early, or you will kick yourself!" I said. "Take a stats course for dummies." Read between the lines: protect yourself from this big stinking mess as much as you can!
I guess I passed. Someone close to me said that research/thesis presentations are like sorority hazing; you just have to get it over with. Graduation is initiation. I know I can make it to initiation. The weight of that project is off my shoulders and I can enjoy life that much more now. In celebration, James and I went to a specialty food store and purchased a few things to cook over the weekend. I made chili from scratch, and he cooked some amazing fish. We walked the beach and watched Rangers hockey. I am definitely over it.
side note: I just saw a man on tv showing off a luxury hotel room that goes for $3800 per night. The shower tiles are actually made from real gold leaf. Each time this man would show off a new feature of the room, he would giggle and swing his Fabio hair. His constant giggling had the effect of Tickle-Me Elmo. I had to change the channel. He was giddy on all the mula he is making off that posh suite. I'll just take a Tickle-Me Elmo instead. I love those things.
