I nailed it. Just Like Mary Lou Retton.

I nailed the IRB approval yesterday. It was a triumphant moment. All but one of the knots in my stomach seemed to untangle at once. And when the reviewer signed the email "Good luck!" I of course read it my first coded message of support, embedding in those two words way more enthusiasm, gusto, and awe for my work than ever crossed her mind. Delusional? Yes. Do I care? No. I got through the gauntlet that is the IRB! The Italian Consulate "incident" may have left me feeling a little deflated...but I liken myself to Mary Lou Retton scoring her perfect 10's in 1984 despite the knee injury...what doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right? Someone get me a gold medal and a Wheaties box.