a good day

Well, kids, I passed!

Head cold aside, the last day of studying was actually more productive and calming than it was a nerve-wracking cram. It just wasn't the time to panic, and I stemmed the tide this morning as well, till I got there. The exam itself was nerve-wracking, and an exercise in keeping my wits and memory. I was very happy with how I did in the most straightforward fields (East/Central Africa and Germany - which was a surprise!) and less so in the two that I built myself (Colonialism and Public Health), but I'm happy with my marks.

We actually went on for a little while after time was up, giving me a chance to make up for a few stumbles (I think), which prompted one prof. say something mischieviously about the Geneva Conventions. No one told me that they'd be so nice and calm the whole time, or that we'd get a snack break. One of the funniest things was being told to step outside, and then pacing slowly around until one professor came out and found me, and thrust his hand out to shake mine before saying anything else. Hand-shakes all around for the announcement that I passed, it was formal but kind of sweet. And we're all going out to lunch next week.

I can't tell you how the positive thoughts & big love have kept my spirits up the last few days. Personally, studying is helpful, but I credit the haikus - laughter is very good for your brain.

Weds. 1:51 pm

ivory tower,
brace yourselves: you're all [first name]
[last name]'s bitches! WOOT!

Weds., 4:58 pm

orals fixation
can be debilitating;
break free from your bonds!

when professors ask
obscure questions from bad texts,
respond: I defy thee!

hidden benefit
from months of careful study?
furniture of books!

Weds., 5:31 pm

now that you have read
every book ever written
you've naught to fear

dr [last name]: not
just your dad's name for long. go
get 'em, smarty pants!

your orals day theme
music? eye of the tiger
of course! don't laugh! grr!

Weds., 7:58 pm

I am telling you,
peanut butter and jelly
is the best pre-test!

To be serious
(as much as haiku allows):
I wish you the best.

Good luck with orals.
And don't post-party too hard --
save for birthday fun!

And finally, under the wire at 11:34 pm:

Study tips: East and
Central Africa: global
capital pre-empts

rhinos. Tropical
medicine: rhino horn is
not actually an

aphrodisiac.
German history: spiky
helmets, world conquest.

Colonialism:
ditto, with different helmets.
Good luck. You'll rock it.


...and I've already started getting rid of some of that furniture of books. It is going to be so good to have my life back!