The Defense

I woke up fully alert at 5:30AM, a full four hours earlier than I usually rise. All that was running through my head was "thesisthesisthesisthesis...social norms...market norms...thesis". At 6, I got up and showered then read the notecards I'd written out last night. About ten times. I zipped up the skirt of my suit, put on my modest silver hoops and was out the door. I entered the conference room an hour and fifteen minutes before my defense was scheduled to begin. I read through my notecards a few more times...I got this. Then I realized...I didn't bring my computer. Many frantic calls were made to Noah, who agreed to bring my laptop on his way to class. Crisis averted. Thirty minutes 'til showtime when I realize that the projector is not able to hook up to Apple computers. As the IT crew works on fixing the problem, I head downstairs to meet my third reader at the parking structure. It's 9:55AM, but I figure we'll be back in the room in no time. Of course, the parking structure is full. I wait outside until 10:06 while my reader parks elsewhere, until finally I head upstairs. I make small talk with my other committee members, but I am shaken. The settings look weird on the projector, and I decide to scrap my PowerPoint presentation. I have old school notes written behind me on the whiteboard. It's fifteen minutes past ten when my reader enters, and we can begin. I start speaking but am horrified by the shake in my voice and my over-reliance on the notecards. My presentation is over before I know it and it's question time. The first question leaves me stuttering before finally admitting defeat with an "...I'm sorry." I stumble my way through the next ten or so questions before being asked to wait in the hall while the committee decides my fate. 

I am doomed. 

Two minutes later my director opens the door and with a hug says "Congratulations!" 

It was approved. 

No changes needed. 

You guys, I am floating on air.