Success isn't too hard...

...But it's hard enough.

I start with this truism because I managed during the last month to present someone else's scientific work without breaking down... uh... that's if you don't count some 10 second hesitations. I remember similar situations where my knees trembled and my left eye twitched among other things which are a testament to how scared I was back then.
I think what was more excruciating now was the wait as I had to keep telling myself that my teachers weren't out for my blood and that my classmates were scared as well. The coping mechanism I fell upon while presenting is perhaps a no-no as far as presentations are concerned: I didn't look at the audience for the whole time. I had good reason to do as I did, though, besides not being overwhelmed trying to parse feedback from about 100 people, I prepared what I was going to say beforehand and printed it out to read. It stood as good practice to focus on the print-out sheets so I didn't get lost in the glare of 200 eyes, which I nevertheless managed to do, hesitating somewhat.
This was a success because I got 17 out of 20 points, which all conditions taken in stock is an apt grade, and the best of the whole class

Animal and Plant Histology being a done deal as far as I'm concerned, I now have to face up with those nemesis of mine, Statistics and Math. As they require something more than just attending class and reading the textbook I'll have to defer any comments or replies to February unless there's something particularly urgent to voice my opinion on. The art itself will keep unabated as I'd rather have my desktop computer not rusting over during winter.

And now for something completely in season, here's an awesome secular Christmas song by Tim Minchin.        

Tally for November: no weight lost or gained.