A long learning process

Today, I finally submitted my thesis. I was nervous for an entire day, and was afraid that I somehow could not make it due to some unexpected reason. There was this indescribable feeling the moment I saw Dr. Greenstein filled the last blank of my form with his signature & printed name... And then, every possible printer seems not functional ... at 3:30pm, I finally got everything needed after all the running (&rushing) around and worked out the last step.

I am going to graduate from Hopkins now!

I felt like I have been through a lot in the whole thesis writing process. There was time when my PI thrown back my paper, leaving two simple, but cruel words : "confused and lost". What really bit was, the same thing occurred TWICE. I could not even cry, my tears froze. Also, for the entire time I was struggling with the schedule issues with her. So many things bounced back and forth, so did my mood. I literally had only little hope in graduating on time.

I thank a lot of people, including my thesis committee, for their efforts in reviewing/editing, and for their kindness in getting it approved even it was not perfect. I am really grateful to Molly's last minute edit. Without her help I would not be able to get my PI's permission for getting my thesis out of the door. Despite the people that I already acknowledged in my thesis, I owe special thanks to TjenSin, Lu and Vanessa. I thank Vanessa for calling and suggesting the right thing to do -- to talk face in face with my PI and express my desire to graduate. I thank Lu, who had worked with me (like 7am in the library :p) and gave me emotional support . I thank TjenSin for checking on my progress and taking me to dinner when things turned really hopeless. I thank Bryce, who has provided me with editorial or technical assistance from time to time.

The process was painful, and was, indeed, the hardest thing I've encountered. The only thing worth remember is how so many people have helped me :*) I am lucky.