Life After Thesis Defense

Although I already made the official facebook announcement, I still feel the need to express my thoughts on my thesis defense. Let me first say that my anxiety leading up to the defense was beyond reasonable. I had nightmares of my committee telling me my work was worthless. I won't go on too long and bore you.

The day of my defense I basically spent the day with Neal holding my hand and telling me it was going to be okay. All the way up until the moment I saw my first committee member I was trembling with stress. But then a series of unfortunate events actually calmed me down a great deal. The room we were supposed to meet in was taken and we wandered around the English building trying to find an office with enough chairs. When we finally settled down, and my committee began chatting about nothing in particular. Finally they let me leave so they could discuss how to drill me. Well, that's what I thought. For several minutes I desperately tried to brush my hair free of knots with my fingers. Then I prayed they didn't open the door because my fingers were stuck. I've read that pregnancy leads to thicker hair. I just know that I lost enough on Monday for a week's worth of regular hair loss.

I'd imagined the defense portion to be similar to Studio C's comedy sketch "Thesis Defense" I've included to link below so you can understand completely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrlro3YJ15o

But in reality my thesis defense was more like a chat over coffee (sans coffee). We referenced my actual thesis probably once. Other than that one reference, we just chatted about my future and my thoughts on graduate school. I don't know that I've ever had such a pleasant conversation with my professors. When it was all said and done, and I'd had my congratulatory hugs and handshakes from my committee, Neal and I celebrated with pizza. Well, we ordered a pizza. I was still too excited to eat more than a piece. But it was marvelous. The whole world seemed to be saying congrats!

So now I'm done with everything necessary to walk at graduation. There are some edits to complete by the end of summer, but so far they are simple word adjustments. I'm taking it slow and steady to be sure I'm really pleased with the printed version. In the meantime, I'm finishing up work for my job, actually sleeping, enjoying springtime, reading books on gardening, watching too much Netflix, and singing my heart out.

Because I've been spending so my time outside, I've included some photos of the beautiful world.

Neal and I just after I'd passed my defense! I'm so happy for me! :)

The most beautiful flowers. Neal got them for me yesterday. I think these may be my favorite flowers I've ever received. The picture does NOT do them justice. 

The canal I walk by every day to the bus stop. I live in the beautiful city.

Even the trees which seem blackened are covered with life.

This spot of the canal makes me want to go wading. I don't, of course, because a little bit above and below this pristine spot there are bits of trash stuck in the weeds. It makes me sad.

My office mate decorated my office! Isn't she so nice?

I think I'm the only grad student with Mardi Gras beads on her door! The sign says congratulations Amber :) 

So many beads everywhere! I'm going to wear some of them at graduation. 

Campus at this time of year is simply delectable. 

Close ups of my own flowers. Neal tried to get every color of the rainbow.

The pink ones are just waiting to bloom in all their goodness!

The Gerber daisy pinks and the blues contrast so nicely.

And yellow roses. Because Neal and I are best friends (and more...)

Winter's on the Wind, 'Tis a Fine Spring Morn

Well folks, it's been a while. Although weather in Logan is always a bit back and forth, I believe I can say springtime is here. Today a crow has been playing in the yard and trees outside the front window. Walking to the bus stop is getting more and more enjoyable as the weather changes. There are a lot of updates in life since last I blogged.

First, I finally got my final thesis draft in to my committee! That's actually kind of old news since my defense is scheduled for April 21st. I'd appreciate any thoughts and prayers for me that day. Also, since all my material is due to the graduate school by April 25th, I could use positive thoughts for the four days in between while I try to finish everything. I'm just so glad to be nearing the completion of a task I began nearly three years ago. Also, I'm excited for a break from academics for a little while.

Neal and I have a lot going for us this year. After my graduation, we plan to find somewhere to live nearer to Neal's work. No more commuting for us! Although I love Logan, it will also be nice to move closer to family. We hope to find a place we can stay for a few years. No more moving every year guys! In the fall Neal will probably start graduate school at Weber State University in addition to teacher at Ogden High School. I will...read some awesome books, figure out how to organize all the stuff we currently have in our "spare oom," learn how to sew something fabulous, have a baby, takes long walks, make new friends.

Wait, didn't I tell you yet? Yup, Neal and I are expecting a baby on October 9th! We are exceptionally excited about this adventure we're beginning. In reality I couldn't blog at all until I was willing to announce the pregnancy because I was sure going to accidentally reveal via morning sickness and other symptoms. Now that I'm fifteen weeks and feeling a bit better, my announcement isn't tainted by nausea and excessive sleeplessness. Also, yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In case you all ask, Neal and I aren't finding out the gender of the baby. We are excited by the element of surprise (also, we love lots of colors other than blue and pink...). I just hope we find somewhere to live sometime soon so I can make sure the nursery isn't just a glorified library.

For right now, I'll just share some photos of Logan springtime for your enjoyment.

Rainy days!

I love having enough sunshine that there are lovely shadows.

Sunshine and rain at the same time!

I know there's trash in this puddle, but I love the way the ripples can even make a parking lot look lovely.

Trees bare but ready for blossoms!

More of the same! :)

Brussels Sprouts! Neal ordered a lot and then he had to eat them all by himself because they never sounded appealing to my morning sickness turned all day sickness...

My appointment for Examination Form: the first of many forms that I have to fill out so I can actually graduate.