Have you ever aged a year during 6 months?

Well the finish line and my "t's" have been crossed. My thesis is now to be found in all of its zero sum glory collecting dust in a closet somewhere in the Rhône valley. A fitting place for something that creates that acidic sting of pre-throwup in my mouth each time it recall its memory in the recesses of my frontal lobe. Seriously though, I would like to find the last copy and puke on it. 

I will say that since it is over, I am fully able to enjoy things that have had somewhat of a hanging weight attached to them since the writing, reading, reading, re-reading, re-writing, deleting, re-writing, re-writing, and re-writing began. Some of those things that have lost their chains are to include but are not limited to the following: weekends, wine, sleep, The Zac Brown Band, this blog, friends, family, and life in general. 

Even though I didn't think my writing deserved a salutations page, I would like to say a million thank yous to my editor, my most supportive critic, my best friend, and my reason for being me - Juliana. Without you  I would be like a Red Hot Chili Pepper without California. I am a better person because you are who you are. 

I would also like to thank the Rotary Foundation for allowing me to be part of such a magnificent city, graduate program, the ambassadorial scholar program, and for giving me the chance to spread goodwill to those I come into contact with. 

I shall have more opportunity to contribute to this blog in our remaining two and a half weeks. Spoiler alert: my writing is nothing compared to what you guys have grown accustomed to this year with Julie's wizardry. Her ability to create ninja moves with words is not fair to my shrill, pessimistic rabble. Comparing her words to mine would be like comparing the artistic talent of Buonarroti to that guy Biff from the Back to the Future movies, respectively. This is the reason I attribute my thesis to passing the defense panel, and without her sharing her talents, I would have ended up writing somewhat of a cross between Mein Kampf and the newest Peter Griffin "This Really Grinds My Gears" segment. 

Since I'm not one to bet on for giving 'Be still my heart' quotes, I will tip my hat to that which has inspired me all year long. For those of you looking for direction in life, put down the self help book and learn yourself on a little Dr. Seuss. "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go."