*breath*

There is a saying in Spanish, "El hombre propone y Dios dispone" which basically TO ME it means, "man has its own plans, but God makes the final decision.

So my friends, here is my story: I have been sharing this with my friends because this is an important part of my life right now: finishing my Masters of Arts at The Ohio State University. It has been a dream of mine for quite a long time (let's say since I was a little kid, I dreamt of graduating from an American college). So you can see why this is a big deal, at least, for me. 

So, let's go back to the saying that I posted at the beginning, and let's divide it in two parts (go along with me on this please, it will make sense at the end...)

Part I: man has its own plans

The defense of my position, synthesis paper and portfolio for graduation was scheduled (five weeks ago) for July 22. That would be my big day. A week before July 22 (that means, July 15) I would turn in EVERYTHING to my advisor and my second reader (another professor) to read before the defense. 

Friday July 11: my plans were to go through the revision process on my position paper ONE MORE time. And work on the next four days  finalizing my portfolio (which actually there are two-each professor gets its own copy of the portfolio).  

Part II: God makes the final decision

I've decided to treat the business of writing two papers as my full-time summer job. So I make the commitment to myself to wake up early (as if I am going to school) and work full time.

So, thursday July 10, was another early day for me. I woke up at 6:00, had my coffee, read my favorite blogs, and by 7:30  I was ready to start working at full.

I emailed my advisor midmorning just to make sure everything is still going according to plan. Everything is good from her end. I emailed my other professor, not so good from his end. He is actually going to be out of town on July 22. Which means...

Let's put part I & part II together of the saying in one sentence and let's call it: Results

I had to turn everything YESTERDAY Friday July 11 by noon: portfolio (2 copies in a three ring binder), position paper on Literature Circles and ELLs and synthesis paper on Best Practices for Teaching Writing to ELLs.

And my defense is now scheduled for Tuesday July 15 (yes, that will be next week).

After those shaky news, there was no time to even be upset, I got to work right away trusting God that there is a reason (beyond my understanding at that point) for working things out this way...all I could do its say...countdown has officially started. I worked on thursday from 10:00 am till 4:00 am in the morning, went to bed for two hours, woke up at 6:oo am and finished my work at 12:10 am. 

*breath*

It was intense. Too intense. But I managed to do it and not disappoint anyone (myself included). I wasn't alone. I felt someone (up there) was holding my hand the whole time. 

*breath*

I didn't have time to cry...until 12:15...but those were happy tears.

I am taking a little break from blogging to prepare myself full time for my oral defense on my works. So close to the finish line...

*breath*

I will be back next week for a week of "Picture Books for the Brilliant Writer's Mind"

Have a great, safe weekend friends...