The Scars of a Poet

Defending a master's thesis is stressful. Writing a master's thesis is stressful. At least, that's what I hear. I don't have a master's thesis. But Kylie and I did watch Annelise defend her thesis, and that was something. It was quite the experience as Annelise and her thesis committee discussed all the topics about the thesis and surrounding the thesis, often with the intellectual level of thought flying well above my head. But while my brain was busting and my own anxieties about grad school and beyond were both relaxing and intensifying, one thing came clear: writing and defending a master's thesis is doable (though don't count on doing it as well as Annelise; not just anyone can give the best thesis defense Kim Johnson has ever been a part of). But something like this isn't knocked out in a couple weeks or a semester, or two semesters. It takes a lotta time and might cost you some scars. I think we've all noticed Annelise's absence during this semester. Well, this is a big reason why (and large doses of Buffy consumption). Give her a break. The last few months her world has probably looked something like this:

But now that she's finished both of these things, perhaps, just maybe we humble undergrads will be graced by more of her presence (last weekend's camping party but a taste of what might be). Which might lift that dark shroud and soothe some of those poetic scars.

Or maybe I'm off on that. Maybe thoughts of hanging around our crazy group only send one into a severe relapse (refer to picture 1). But in any case, congratulations, Annelise, on finishing your master's thesis and rocking the academic, poetic world.