I live.

I may have set this year's length-of-time record (2:30) for an exam, but I live.

And, yes, I did far, far better in oral presentation than I did with the written, and I even told them that such would be the case, going in to my spiel.

I was commended on my facility of thinking well on my feet; for my 'obvious' command of the literature; and for how I could diagram, on the fly, my predictions and expectations. My verbal explanations successfully conveyed my intent and my ideas.

I was dinged for language usage and format-specific structure in the written proposal. I was given good advice, but no real suggestions on concrete change to make to improve my presentation of an extremely difficult and dense topic.

I can not officially be given a 'verdict' (love that word, so non-threatening) next week, when my penance shall be handed down. But it's obvious that I'll be commanded to rewrite, with certain expectations.

Also, keep this in mind when talking to a scientist: there are words in the English language that mean something wholly different, and very, extremely, particulary, specific to a scientist. Do not use THOSE WORDS. You will get harassed for using THOSE WORDS. I shall, at the moment, forebear from speaking THOSE WORDS lest what's left of my mental capacity fizzle out in frustration.

My brain resembes congealed tapioca. But I live.

I think that was the slimy thing that just oozed off of my chair. But I live.

My head feels simultaneously squeezed in a vise and yet lighter than air. But I... sure as hell didn't fail.