Graduation

Yep. It's totally 100% official. I'm a doctor. Sunday was the very special ceremony where I was hooded. Here's a photo (linked to a big one) of me and my advisor Jim:

1 week post-defense

Of course, I am thrilled to have passed my defense, 1 week ago today. It is nice to put the ", Ph.D." at the end or the "Dr. " at the front.

However, I must say that this is like a magnified effect of the day-after-Christmas. All this excitement, all this buildup, it's great, it's done...and then it's a bit of a let down. I am sure this is compounded by the fact that I really wanted to go home to Chicago but I was not able to get a job there. My alternatives are very good, but I might be more excited if I were heading back to somewhere I love.

If you're working on your Ph.D. and reading this, don't be discouraged! It's well worth it. I'm sure this phase will pass (and hopefully quite soon).

0 days left

I passed.

4-1 days left

Not a lot of practicing. Jim gave me some suggestions on the presentation, and I incorporated those. I feel very ready.

7-5 days left

I'm still too tired to be working much. I've practiced a bit, but I feel like I'm ready.

8 days left.

still sick. still no work.

9 days left

so sick. no work.

10 days left

I made good progress on the talk today, and I pretty much have it in a close-to-final version. I just need to polish it a bit.