It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life, but it is over. I am proud, relieved, excited and numb to state that I have completed and passed my Master's thesis. And now hold an MLIS.
I am officially a Librarian!
In reflection, I see that it never should have been so difficult, but I had an EXTREAMLY demanding Professor who also prided himself on being a perfectionist. There were many, MANY times I thought I should throw in the towel because his demands seemed to far out of reach. But I met them, finished, and graduated! This was a huge deal because not only did I prove to myself that I could do it, but I am the first in my family to have achieved such a high degree. I was the first also to graduate college, but then other family members followed. Maybe they will follow me in this. IF they want too, I am NOT a degree snob. That is why it took me so long to get this done. I didn't feel I needed it, but sadly, the industry disagreed, haha.
What did I learn from all this?
Nothing. Well, not much from my research anyway. My research lead to a very nice set up if I ever decide to continue and get a Doctorate. Right now, that's pure insanity though. I have no current plans for that path.
What I did learn was:
- I am AWESOME! Seriously, this was a massive project that I took on, on my own and had to finish on my own. While being a mother, a full time career lady, idealistic wife, and a good friend.
- No one will help you, you have to count on yourself. Also, no one wants to hear about your woes. They just don't. And if they do at the beginning, they will soon get tired of hearing it. This sounds really negative, but I don't mean it that way, it was just my experience. This taught me to lean on myself. Ya know,
"Oh I don't need a hand to hold
Even when the night is cold
I got that fire in my soul" - Not to panic. I was never one to rush to panic in the first place, but this paper tested me. There were a couple nights I am not so proud of where I spent the night in such panic that I nearly shut down. I thought of talking to my Doctor about taking something, it was that bad. But I would give myself that night or day and then move on. Sometimes with a game plan and some times on a wing and a prayer.
- Nothing is as magical as when its over. Sweet, sweet taste of freedom and victory!
Now that it's over I have free time again. What am I going to do?
- Sleep! A blissful, relaxing, deep sleep.
- Take a hot bath, with bubbles, and salts, and candles, and a book.
- Read a purely fluff novel. Maybe two. Or none! I can do that because I don't have to read anything.
- Celebrate in Disney World with my boys. (Already did, post to come soon)
- Go with my mother and aunt on a family history trip to the ancestral homes in Kentucky and Tennessee. (Just got back, post to come soon)
- Go with my boys to a park. Maybe all the parks in town! They have been troopers during this time and deserve some nice family time.
- Cook dinner! We have lived on take out and pizza for 6 months because I just couldn't add one more thing to my day. The worst part of that was I LOVE to cook! oh, and getting fat. Yea, that happened too.
- Not worry about my to do list.
