D-Day Has Come and Gone

It dawned on me that I have completely neglected this blog. I started a new job (in a fabulous location), and begin working from EARLY in the morning until late at night to get my dissertation done. However, last semester I FINALLY defended! I am SO grateful to be DONE! The relief wasn't immediate because I had some revisions. My need to focus on those overshadowed any feelings of relief I might have otherwise experienced. I was back to working non-stop from morning to night. I did experience a great deal of relief and elation when my major professor finally gave me the last thumbs up. She is wonderful, but she doesn't settle for anything less than the best so I knew I had really accomplished something at that point. Right before she told me the final change, she said, "Now remember! Your study isn't really done until you submit it for publication." I couldn't believe it. My journey had finally reached that point. Many days, I never thought I would ever see that day. Then, the time finally came for me to submit it to the Grad School. I sat in my new office until 11:58 p.m. on the due date. In retrospect, I wonder now if in some sick way I didn't really want to let it go. I nitpicked over it until the very last second--to the point that I later had to alert the Grad School that it indeed was submitted on time. They just laughed and said leave it to you to submit it at the last possible minute. Anyway, when I woke up the next morning after submitting that thing, it was like Christmas morning when you are 6. I didn't expect the joy. I should have expected it, though. For the first time in nearly 5 years, I finally had a day when I didn't have to think about a dissertation. It was amazing. If there is anyone else out there, keep pushing. You can do it if I can. And it is worth it in the end. I promise.