Oy Gewalt!
So, tomorrow I start taking the exam that determines whether or not I become a dissertator. I get a list of around nine questions covering three areas, and I pick which three questions I want to answer, then write a ten (or more) page response dealing with the 90-100 books I've picked to discuss in my fields. I pick up the questions tomorrow at noon and turn them in Monday at noon. Then, on next Thursday (Cinco de Mayo!) I have two-hour oral exam that's basically me grovelling and apologizing for all the mistakes I've made, and then I hear whether or not I get to stay in the program. Most people pass, but it's still a headache. Wish me luck on keeping the proper amounts of caffeine and booze to stay on task.