It's Done!

Lynae N.

May 9, 2010 - 8:49 PM

I resigned to my sense of exhaustion which overcame my perfectionism and I hit print. I felt like I was in a bit of a daze and life felt surreal as I crossed the room and walked over to the printers in the UO library. Pulling out my campus card, I took a deep breath as I swiped it through the scanner, located my paper, and once more hit the print button. The total cost for my print job was almost $16 at $.08 per page.

The printer went to work, furiously printing page after page in a mad dash to spit out two copies of my formal case presentation. I waited and watched, periodically clearing out chunks of my massive paper from the printer so there was room enough to keep printing. Still the pages shot out of the machine and before I knew it, I was holding half a ream of printer paper in my arms. I proudly carried my stack of paper back to my little computer area and gently tapped all of the uneven edges of my paper into place and slid the stack into my bag and walked out of the library.

I went back to the HEDCO clinic and pulled out my masterpiece, two copies of my 95 page paper still hot from fresh printing. Other gals in my cohort looked my direction and went wide eyed. I was done with this monster paper! We all stood in awe for a moment and I quickly realized that my covers were too small for my paper and headed down to the Duck Store to pick up something more appropriate, feeling lighter than air. I found what I needed and took a leisurely stroll through campus on my way back. After all, there was no longer any need to rush, I was done.

I examined my papers, separating out the pages as I needed to. I very carefully and meticulously three hole punched every page in stacks of three. Tenderly, I unclasped the holder and slid the pages into place and secured them. And there they were. They were a thing of beauty and envy for everyone around.

Then, with a big smile and skip in my step I lugged both copes of my paper up to the faculty offices and turned them in to the academic secretary, Hillary Nadeau. I informed her I had a present for her and slid the papers across the counter to her hands. My body felt numb and my head started to tingle with cool shivers and prickles. I was done and I couldn't even believe it.

I turned and walked away with my head high feeing even more overjoyed and could hardly contain myself. Prancing back into the work room at the HEDCO Clinic, I burst through the door and busted out in a ridiculous victory dance. I shook my butt, flailed my arms, jumped up and down, and flung my hair around while spinning in circles! A term and a half's headache was out of my hands and in someone else's control.

I feel like a human being again. I've since been on two runs, have spent a day with my mom and dad, and have been able to play with my husband and daughter. I've also gotten sufficient sleep and have eaten a meal at home off of a real plate and not eating left overs or Clif Bars out of Tupperware in an office chair on campus or at CAFA. Life is sweet. . . and now it's time to start the job hunt. (Sigh) I guess life keeps going on full speed ahead