Waiting, waiting

Well, its been about a week that the thesis has been away with the examiners and I can feel these two anonymous, faceless people sitting and judging me and my efforts. Well, unlikely actually since its probably sitting on their respective desks while they enjoy the Easter break.

And so, i wait.

I dont actually have much to input here, except that i have had my beer (s) and time on the beach. And not too soon since it is already turning into autumn here; evenings are a little chillier and mornings brisker. But the afternoons can still get a bit stinking so its not quite time to read a eulogy for summer.

So what am i doing with the space in my head which my phd has just vacated? And no snide comments about the other spaces in my head thank you very much. Anyway, after i handed in i managed to fill the space with worrying about other things that i signed up to doing such as reviewing an article for publication, organising an application to present at a conference, dealing with australian visa application stuff; the list goes on. I felt rushed and like i was running out of time and i had so many things to do. I was making myself out be so busy, that i couldnt relax in case, well to put it simply, i removed the one stick in the dam and all the water would just flow away and all my garnered knowledge would flow down the proverbial sink.

Never to be seen again.

I realised i was clutching to the belief that to be in the throes of phd research and writing was a noble and admirable state to be in. Inspiring awe and fear (this is MY fantasy, o.k.) and that as soon as I left that state i would simply be another drone. A worker.

An Adult.

EEEEEEAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

But, this long Easter weekend i had a moment one evening and thought about what i had to do the next day (something i did every waking moment in phd mode, organising my list of things done and things needed doing) and there was this blank. A most pleasurable and glimmery blank.
I didnt HAVE to do anything. It was a very agreeable feeling.

I realise that it probably wont last. I am sure all you seasoned adults out there will be able to tell me so and also that learning and study is a lifelong endeavour, academic or other. BUT i think i will take this small moment and revel in it for this time i have been afforded, before the verdict of my thesis is handed to me.

Care to wait with me?
Ill entertain you with some pics from misc. trips i took this year.