Saturday, April 25, 2009

Ode to the Thesis

A significant portion of the last year of my life has been poured into the research for, and the writing of a 72-page thesis entitled, "When Brazilians Brave Britain." Now it's all over. Yesterday, yes, only yesterday, I added a few final touches (and by a few I mean I pulled ideas out of nowhere for an additional five pages) and submitted it to the Graduate School.

Now I'm awash with different emotions. I, of course, feel relief, something so unlike stress I don't even know what to do with it. But I also feel a bit sad, how an empty-nester might feel watching his own "flesh-and-blood" go off into the big world where he has absolutely no more control over it. What's written there is permanent, set in stone--flaws, gaps in logic, ever-so-brief moments of brilliance, etc. Sadly, it'll probably sit in the basement of the library here at Georgetown and never again see the light of day...but I think (gasp!) I actually might miss the work. When I printed it out yesterday and the actual weight of it was in my hands for a moment I was downright giddy. I do not miss the deadlines, but the work for the actual thesis was rewarding, stimulating, eye-opening.

So, here is a digital toast to my thesis. May the ol' girl rest in peace!

Edit: If the thesis could have been illustrated, this picture would have been perfect!

4 comments:

  1. Congratulations! I totally know what you mean about feeling a sense of emptiness (luckily *sarcasm here* my car blew up and I have new/used car shopping to fill the void). I also understand the terror of thinking that all of the blood, sweat, and tears might be fossilized in a form that is not completely perfect. After I printed it out I refused to read any part of my thesis, and when I did a few days later (for my blog post) I found a typo within the first few pages. Oh the agony!

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  2. Congrats on finishing the thesis. I haven't read it yet, but I will. I'm feeling the same way about finishing my job! Kind of a sad relieved feeling.

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  3. Congratulations!!! Who knew that sitting in the living room opening your mission call about 9 years ago would lead to the topic of your master's thesis. I hope it doesn't just sit in the basement, but will be studied and quoted as the pure prose it is for generations to come - or something like that.

    Dad

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  4. Adam,
    I just found your blog! I'm excited to read about your musings.

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