Call Me Doctor...

I did it! I passed my oral dissertation defense yesterday afternoon!

Lee said I "nailed the orals" and I got some other really great feedback from my committee members. My toughest committee member was even impressed by the fact that I had knowledge at my fingertips- I could speak to his questions, give him examples of research and didn't get too flustered by his "rapid fire" questions. Although... he did ask me a statistics question that I know and have read all about but when he asked me, WHOOSH!, it went right out of my head. So I grappled with what to say, gave it my best shot and then he said, "No, not really." I'm sure my face got a little red, but I did laugh and made a lame joke about it. Maybe that's why Larry told me, "Nice job today. You are so skilled in the verbiage; even when you are a little off base you are so very skilled. Congratulations!!!"

It was fun. Of course it was nerve-wracking, but I did have fun.

So then I chatted with some of my friends in the Department and went to Starbucks to meet Canadian friend Steve. We had a nice chat and then I was able to just sit and relax by myself for a while. I tried the new Vanilla Rooibos Tea Latte and it was wonderful (and caffeine-free --I was already quite wired). I highly recommend it. I also enjoyed a Red Velvet cupcake. It was really quite perfect- I was in a comfy chair, sitting in the sunshine, sipping my lovely tea latte, and Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin were playing! Love it!

The evening festivities got started when I met up with some friends at Cafe Vino in Fort Collins. I have never been there, but it was very cool and hip (thanks for the suggestion Talisa!). It was great to be celebrating with my friends...it was humbling to see so many people at the table with me. I had a fantastic time, I laughed a lot, hugged a lot, and had to have someone drive me home... but instead of stress dreams I dreamt of beaches and I woke up smiling.

Today I am going to go clean out my office at work: I'm leaving work earlier than expected, which is A-OK with me.... I would like to keep having dreams of beaches.