I thought the award winning days were over when I finished undergrad. Ah, those days were all about honors and awards that would get you into a reknowned college for a Master's Degree. Well, except for the partying and drinking that also got you into trouble. Until yesterday, that was what I believed to be true.
For the past few weeks, I have been busy preparing for a conference knowing that I would be doing a poster presentation because I love graphic design. (I shoulda' gone into a design school instead). Then my friend in the lab convinced me to do an oral presentation because it was much less time consuming. Since I was scramming to finish my research, I had no choice but to take that option. I am usually very calm for class presentations. I also talk and act very "natural" if I take a shot half an hour before my presentation. By shot I mean alcohol...imagine that! I walk up to the front of the class, look at everyone with a smile, when I start feeling happi, I know the alcohol is doing its thing.
I went through the same routine on the day of my conference presentation. The conference room was quite empty when I arrived. After 10 minutes, it was filled. Then my entire lab came. I said to myself, "These are just people, not monsters. Relax and concentrate on the alcohol." When it was my turn, I could feel myself shaking because I was so nervous. That damn alcohol didn't work! In front of me were over 10 professors and 5 judges. How in the world am I gonna get through this!
Well, I did and I won 2nd place for the best M.S. Oral Presentation at the CTAHR Student Research Symposium. I am not bragging...ok, maybe a little. Give me a break, I haven't won anything since 2003! I deserve to feel a little pride, just a little. Ok, it was just a student presentation, nothing important. Pride gone, but still cofident :) The best part, I get to spend that award money on FOOD. Yup, I'm gonna buy myself a nice sushi dinner, bring it home and eat while watching my favorite TV shows. Ah, what a prize.
