tirsdag, mai 23, 2006

Back to normal - almost

The thesis is finished, now I just have to prepare for my oral examination. It goes like this: first I present my thesis for 20 minutes. Everyone who wants to hear it can come. Then there's the examination, which fortunately isn't open to the public. It lasts for about an hour (I think), and three people will point out all the weaknesses in my thesis and kindly ask me to explain why I didn't do this instead of that etc etc.

Having written the thesis, I definately feel that the worst part is over. And I'm kind of looking forward to talking about my thesis, although I'm pretty sure that will change as the day looms closer. But I'm nowhere near as worried and stressed as I was in the last couple of weeks of thesis writing.

The time when my girlfriend was an absolute saint!

Syd wrote:
"On behalf of all wives, I beg you to milk this for all it's worth. And then tell us about it. :)"

For two weeks she was absolutely terrific. The best day was the day I decided to go to the beach instead of to the office. And even though I had a lazy day off, and my girlfriend had been to work, she cooked a two course dinner (baked trout, then grilled spare ribs) while I was sitting in the sun reading. She even brought me cold drinks while at the same time looking after the fish, the meat and making salad. After dinner she did the dishes, while I was pondering whether I should stay in the sun or go and lie down on the sofa.

I felt thoroughly pampered:-)

Later that day we went to a house warming party, with lots of my student friends. Of course I praised my girlfriend, telling everyone how she had been making me dinners and doing the housework.

HB (extremely smug): Today, for instance, she made trout and spare ribs.
Envious straight friend: What?!? Not only does she make dinner everyday, she makes several courses?? Damn, I'm getting together with a woman next time. Or perhaps I could just pay to borrow yours?
HB: No way!
Girlfriend (leaning forward interestedly): How much would you pay?

Anyway. It's back to normal now. There's balance. And Syd, I didn't really milk it too much, because I know that it would backfire. After all, soon I'll be unemployed and have all the time in the world. SOMEONE might be expecting that I cook every dinner and do all the housework. And I guess I will do that. But only for two weeks:-)

10 kommentarer:

Anonym sa...

Trout AND spare ribs? HB, that is LOVE. You should be smug.

Hope you remain calm about your oral exam. My mom said she tried to picture the examiners naked for hers, then had to stop, as she couldn't stop laughing.

HB sa...

AND bringing me cold beers while cooking:-) Yes, it must be love! I'll keep your mother's advice in mind, if I get too nervous. ...hmmm, now I find myself wishing that one of the examiners is young, attractive and female. That's a lot better than apprehension:-)

bani sa...

Wow. She'll be expecting payback, someday. ;-)

So is this like a doktorsavhandling then? *is very impressed if so*

greymatters sa...

Damn! Cool gf.

Congrats on finishing the thesis. Personally, in retrospect, the orals were the EASIEST part of the entire ordeal. I was as nervous as a whore in church going into them, but after about five minutes it all kicked in and was smooth sailing. I *KNOW* you'll be fine.

Until then, enjoy the trout and ribs!

Syd sa...

Orals?...you're a lesbian for god's sake, you'll be great!

Bless you, for sharing. Even if you didn't "milk it," in my fantasy, you totally did. So, I'm going with that.

Your GF sounds like a real doll. Perhaps you should practice your "orals" with her?

Syd sa...

Oh, and I'd like to bid when you hire her out, btw.

Trout and ribs... swoon

kimananda sa...

Yeah, finished! And hurray to Non-blogging Girlfriend, for providing the food and drink which made it all possible for you, or at least more comfortable...I'll have to convince Danish man to act in a similar way when I'm doing my thesis next year. Well, I'll have to try to convince him, anyway. ;-)

Zoe sa...

I'm sure you'll do fine. And I agree that your girlfriend is a saint. I just survived this same hell playing the roll of the girlfriend who is a saint. I actually had to proof read the 100 page thesis 3 times, and listen to the oral presentaion 6, no maybe 8 times, and do all of the housework, and be put on the back burner. It was worth it though, I'm very proud of my girl.

Good Luck.

Winter sa...

Congrats! Good luck with the oral. Makes sure your presentation is good - be as confident as possible. A lot seems to rise on whether they think you know what you're talking about!

HB sa...

Bani: no, it's not a phd! Just a master's thesis:-) With phd you have to talk for two hours I think - I'm glad it's just 20 min for me!

Greymatters + Syd: thanks for your confidence in me, he he:-) And yes, I'm practicing in evert way possible, Syd - more food for your fantasies there;-)

Kimananda: good luck with your Danish man! I'm sure he understands the benefits of having a happy girlfriend:-)

Zoe: Welcome and thanks! And wow! 8 times oral presentation! I'll mention your heroic efforts if girlfriend gets bored while I'm practicing my oral presentation (the one where I read words from a page Syd, though I'm sure you'll think of something smutty here, too. I'll be disappointed if you don't).

Winter: Thanks! I'll be nervous, but I think I can "do" confident:-)