Yesterday, I turned in my printed copies of my dissertation to the graduate studies office. There is still the chance that they'll find a problem with the margins or page numbers or printing quality, but I'm trying not to think about that.
This is the first day in (I don't want to count how many) years that I am not feeling guilty for not working on my dissertation. It is a wonderful, peaceful feeling. It's weird: I'm nearly 40; My kids are grown; I have a husband, a house, a dog, a cat, fish; but I feel like I am just starting my life.
Maybe I can finally get one of those hobby things...
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Just call me Doctor
It's official.* I have a Ph.D.!! I defended my dissertation on Friday, December 11. My husband was completely sweet and let some of my buddies come and hang out at the chippy to celebrate. He gave us free beer and food. I think he loves me.
My next project is to lose what I have coined to be the ABD 20 (ABD = All But Dissertation). You have heard of the freshman 15? Well, the ABD 20 is what you gain sitting on your butt while fully stressed out trying to complete your dissertation. So, really I am not a full 20 pounds above my favorite weight** but 17. Most of the weight came on in the last 2 years and then a nice 5 pounds in the four weeks leading up to my defense. Seriously, if you don't know that getting a Ph.D. is detrimental to your health and well-being, you should. Take me as proof.
I like to joke with my husband and tell him that my next project is to get an M.D. He doesn't seem to think this is as funny as I do.
* Technically, according to the university, I won't officially have a Ph.D. until the end of winter term (March 2010). However, I have convinced the people that matter (my advisor and committee) that I have suffered enough to earn a Ph.D. That's good enough for my future employer, so it's official enough for me.
** My favorite weight is the weight where I last felt comfortable and most physically powerful. This is in contrast to how I feel now, kind of bloated and weaker.
My next project is to lose what I have coined to be the ABD 20 (ABD = All But Dissertation). You have heard of the freshman 15? Well, the ABD 20 is what you gain sitting on your butt while fully stressed out trying to complete your dissertation. So, really I am not a full 20 pounds above my favorite weight** but 17. Most of the weight came on in the last 2 years and then a nice 5 pounds in the four weeks leading up to my defense. Seriously, if you don't know that getting a Ph.D. is detrimental to your health and well-being, you should. Take me as proof.
I like to joke with my husband and tell him that my next project is to get an M.D. He doesn't seem to think this is as funny as I do.
* Technically, according to the university, I won't officially have a Ph.D. until the end of winter term (March 2010). However, I have convinced the people that matter (my advisor and committee) that I have suffered enough to earn a Ph.D. That's good enough for my future employer, so it's official enough for me.
** My favorite weight is the weight where I last felt comfortable and most physically powerful. This is in contrast to how I feel now, kind of bloated and weaker.
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