I Passed!

I am officially a PhD student, I have passed the qualifying exams.

Last night and today were very long days to wait through. I could only remember the exam questions I got wrong, and the questions I didn't know the answers to. I prepared myself for the worst - hearing that I failed and would have to come back in January.

But fortunately it wasn't necessary.

I went and saw the Star Trek movie yesterday as the post-quals treat I have been promising myself since the movie came out. (And, by the way, it was AWESOME!)

I went out with friends tonight to celebrate.

And now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to cry in the corner for a little while. Just because I finally can, because I don't have to hold it together anymore. It's been a long hard semester. I've completed my Master's thesis, I got As in my classes, I did research and submitted a paper to a conference, I studied for the quals, I upheld all my duties as hall councilor for my dorm, and I applied and interviewed and got an RA job for next year. I was there for my friends when they needed me, and I tried to keep my priorities always in the right order (God, family, friends, me, school).

I worked really hard, and I am so proud of what I've accomplished and so grateful to everyone who's helped me.

I guess what I'm saying is,

I PASSED!