tears

around 2:15 my phone rang. i was at work thinking about the people in my study group taking the oral defense today - part 2/2 of the candidacy at the end of which you find out if you passed.

i answered it as i was sure it was good news - passed!

the response was less than cheerful and i soon realized tearful.

i went out to meet my friend to console - and we talked and talked until the waters had calmed a bit - all the while thinking...

oh crap. this could be me tomorrow.

we'll see how it goes. the eco candidacy exam is definitely no joke.
wish me luck. sounds like i'll need it.