the birthday present i gave myself

i gave myself a big birthday present this morning - the dissertation defense.
couple months ago i was not sure about the present, and wondered if it could be carried out.
there was nothing i could do with the result when i handed out the papar; the committee could have turned me down. what i could do was work hard for the dissertation before the committed had the chance to do so. i produced at least 60,000 words during the past three months and was on the edge of giving up many times.

the most priceless present i've ever received is this one.