D-DAY revisited

Since this blog will document my life post-thesis defense, I thought that would be a good place to start. The day got off to a rough start because of our wonderful (insert sarcasm) president's visit to NY. Because of him, streets were blocked off and traffic was a nightmare. They weren't even allowing pedestrians to cross 96th St, so at the corner of 96th and Madison I found myself stuck. 4 blocks away, an hour until my defense, and I'm stuck at the corner swearing at the police and the president. Thankfully (gotta love NY), the growing group of pedestrians started to get restless and angry, so the police finally moved the barricade and said "Ok go! RUN! GO!". Phew! Immediately after this, I started worrying that my family - who were driving in - might have some trouble getting to Sinai. They made it with about 3 minutes to spare...just enough time for my grandmother to get in a pic or two...

Notice the awesome shoes - I got them in Florence :)

The presentation went great - there was a full house that consisted of mostly my family and friends...minus a few missing people (Noura, Melissa, Brendan and Heather spring to mind, but they were there in spirit), it was absolutely perfect. Even though it was pitch black in the room, my grandmother thought it would be a great idea to try to take pics of my collages of friends and family - so picture a bright flash going off in the middle of a very dark room 10 feet away from you...that's my gram!

Unfortunately for her, the pictures didn't quite come out...

After the presentation I was actually more nervous, because I knew I had to face the firing squad (aka "my committee"). I had some of the smartest women and most amazing scientists on my committee, but man are they tough. Of course, I couldn't go to my exam without my grandmother getting in a few more pics...

From the left: my mommy, Tori, Scott (LK), ME, Rosa, my grandmother, Jen, Madeline, Cindy, my grandfather and Sue. Except for my mom and Rosa, they all came in a van together...seriously. Love them :)

So I took my exam, which was horrible and hard and scary, but I totally passed!!! Dan was very happy and said I "killed that exam" so yay me! And now it was time to party!

This was me trying to "leave my mark" on Sinai. I had a little trouble, and everyone made sure to make fun of me, saying "Come on Mel...it doesn't take a PhD to open a bottle of champagne". In my defense, even Dan had trouble helping me open it. But eventually I did it, and I did make a mark on the ceiling and it was totally cool.

My grandfather looking cool as usual, my mom (she came in from Florida), Rosa (best sister ever), and cousin Cindy...
The first picture ever of me and Dan...and we even have our arms around each other! I bet the whole time he was wondering if this was inappropriate behavior...LOL
My cousins Scott and Jen with Madeline (my great-aunt, their grandmother)...
Sarah (my rommie and bff from college)!!! She flew in all the way from Colorado just to be here for my defense!!
Hilarie, Anna and John were there too of course! John was a post-doc in my lab - over the years he has provided me with lots of new music (all British bands), and of course tons of advice every single day about my experiments...
And perhaps the best surprise of the day, Noura got out of her first day of 3rd year early and was able to make it to the party!!! Dr. Cassella and Dr. Abul-Husn at your service...
Another wonderful addition to the party...Monique and Mary-Kate, 2 of my very best friends. I have known Monique since 8th grade, and Mary-Kate since the first day of field hockey pre-season training freshman year of high school. They both have babies, and they packed up the strollers and the babies and came to NY to celebrate with me!

In this pic are Monique and her baby Oscar, me and Mary-Kate...

Here's another pic of me and Monique...

You might be wondering where Mary-Kate's baby, Gabe, is. Well, he was immediately stolen when she walked in the room by this lady (my mom). I think someone really wants grandchildren...

Here are Mary-Kate and Gabe in the taxi - they are too CUTE!

And of course Monique and Oscar...SO CUTE...

My girls and their boys...they had a hectic, but very successful first trip (hopefully first of many) to NYC

After the party died down, we were on our way to Osso Buco for dinner. We lost my grandparents temporarily - they didn't want to wait for everyone to say goodbye, so they took off without having a cell phone, or the name of the restaurant. We eventually found them at the restaurant next door. In case anyone ever considered having a party at Osso Buco, DO IT. They are a little rude in the beginning, and they will mess up your reservation time and number of people and the menu at least 4 times, but then they will make up for it big-time the night of the party. The service and food were amazing.

Here's my grandfather and my cousin Tennaly at Osso Buco...

After dinner, the fam headed back to CT, and me and a bunch of my friends headed out to Session 73 for the after-party. It was very mellow (which was nice), but I still managed to stay out until 5am (not so nice). All in all, probably the best day of my life so far! Stay tuned for Party! Part Deux - the big celebration in CT a few days after my defense that was not only for me, but also to celebrate a bunch of bdays, etc...