That Day

[Written for my father, who couldn't attend my public defense
but whom my dissertation was dedicated to]

January 11th, 2007

11:40
A regular train departed to Delft from Amsterdam Centraal station. I was in it with my mother and Mbak Isti, who seems to always be there for me on my big days.

12:40
The train arrived in Delft. We rightaway walked to the bus stop for the 12:48 bus to the university. The wind didn't get calmer; on the contrary, it brought along drops of water from the sky.

13:00
After walking from the bus stop in tilted positions to overcome the blowing wind, we finally reached my office at the Civil Engineering building (6th floor, room 6.08 - coincidentally the same number as a Kopaja bus that I used regularly during my senior high school years). My colleagues were crowding the coffee machine, unmistakenly just had their lunch. After nicking Oguzhan's coffee-card, we had some warm beverages before proceeding to the canteen (lunch!). I gave Oguzhan a CD-ROM containing my presentation material, so he could save it in his laptop that I would use during the defence.

13:30
Back to my office, rightaway packing my dissertations (slipping one invitation piece and one booklet into each book before putting them back into boxes). Oguzhan suggested to reduce the presentation pages, but I didn't know what else to take away from that file. Dessi and Deepa, in a room next to me, were busy packing Deepa's boxes on a trolley. They will load them in Dessi's car to go to Aula, so they could take two of my boxes, too! Thanks, Dessi!

14:00
Starting to walk to the Aula. The wind didn't behave; it blew crazily and turning every flap of our coats to all directions. Don't even ask what it did to our hair.

14:10
Inside, at the foyer of the Aula, we met Jos, Oom Rudy, Mrs. and Dominee Budiman. We went upstairs with the elevator. I sped into the defence room, throwing my backpack and duffel bag at the back of my seat. A technician stood at the podium, and the Beadle on duty came to me, asking if I still needed to change clothes. I did. And the changing room was occupied, and I was quite late.

14:15
The Beadle let me change clothes and shoes in her room. No time for me to look around leisurely, but I could spot a table at one corner with a spread of sealed certificate. Nervous? Nah.. I wanted that thing.

14:20
The technician was showing me the mic, the lamp and projector controls when Oguzhan finally came with his laptop. He had to insert his password and such, before readying his camera to record the events. Audience started coming in and taking their seats.
Dhanu and Lindri are allowed in the room, but they made so much noise so Syb had to find someone to mind them outside. Approaching 14:30 Lindri wanted to be with me, running forward but tripped and fell and cried. There they went, three of them, outside the room..

14:30
The lights were dimmed and I started my presentation. I spoke too fast and I knew it, but I couldn't help it. I really just wanted to get it over with. Surprisingly, I was ready with my presentation in 10 minutes! Dhanu did a frog-jump in front of the audience just before I finish my presentation. So maybe it's not a bad idea after all to have small kids stay outside when people need to concentrate for a couple of hours.

14:40
Syb came back into the room, saying that Lindri was taken care of by a woman in another room (Dhanu joined them soon). Of course I received comments from my mother about how the presentation wasn't clear enough - and that my hair was a mess. Which reminded me that I haven't looked at myself in the mirror since I came indoor from the storm outside, and since I changed my clothes. Mbak Isti - she's always ready - lent me her hairbrush so I could straight up my appearance. After spending some minutes in the dressing room, I came back to my seat, composing myself..

15:00
The Beadle in her full ceremonial robe entered the room, followed by the chairman of the defence and the examination committee members. The professors wearing togas, each with an attribute of his faculty, and the doctors black suit with grey ties. The audience stood up during this procession. After the committee members were seated, the audience also took their seats and the chairman, Prof. Smit, told me to take my place at the podium.
He introduced the committee members from outside TU Delft: Prof. Eko Budihardjo (UNDIP, Semarang), Prof. Peter Nas (Leiden University) and Dr. Jules Janssen (TU Eindhoven). The rest he would introduce proceeding their questions (Prof. Han Brezet from Design for Sustainability - Industrial Design, Prof. Jurgen Rosemann from Urbanism - Architecture, Dr. Alex Fraaij from Materials Science - Civil Engineering and Prof. Kees Duijvestein from Urbanism - Architecture).

15:05
Prof. Budihardjo opened the session with his remarks and questions; continued by the rest. Everybody had about 5-10 minutes for his questions and answers. I had to address them with specific titles (zeergeleerde opponent for the committee members, mijnheer de rector for the chairman, zeergeleerde promotor for my adjunct supervisor and hooggeachte promotor for my supervisor).

16:00
I was explaining my answer to my promotor (who had the final turn for questions) when the Beadle came and hit her staff on the ground while stating, "Hora est!" (= it's time!). I stopped in the middle of my sentence, then was gestured to step back to my seat.
The committee members stood up and followed the Beadle out of the room, resigning to another room. The audience stood until the procession dissapeared behind a door. I exchanged looks with Syb who stood next to me, we smiled, saying "It's over!". Then he went to fetch the kids; they came in and showed my what they did (sticker books), but Lindri didn't want to get off my lap when it's about time to expect the committee to be back.

16:15
The Beadle came into the room again, followed by the same formation. Only, this time, they all went to the same side of the room. I was called to the front of the committee. Lindri was refusing to let me go at first, but soon gave in in Syb's arms. She was still making noises when the chairman read out their decision to gave me the doctoral title.
My promotor, Prof. Duijvestein, handed me a big red tube containing my certificate. The audience was then asked to be seated - except me. I had to stand where I was during the reading of comments about me from my promotor.

16:25
At the end of the ceremony, the procession walked towards the exit, this time I tailed at the back. Once outside the hall, we positioned ourselves to be photographed. A woman then directed us to a reception room, where drinks and snacks were provided.

16:30
I had to stand in front of a table where my diploma was spread (but the seal wasn't revealed yet; it was not easy to remove the mould). Syb stood next to me. The kids would be fine; they were seen roaming the reception room joyfully - at a point were seen munching chocolate eggs (undoubtfully from their oma). The committee members had the first turn to congratulate me, then the rest of the audience.
Now I'm not an expressive person, but I hope I appeared overwhelmed and very grateful by the attention and compliments given by our family, friends, colleagues and other acquaintances - because that was how I felt.


Photos from this event can be viewed in this album: http://esduren.multiply.com/photos/album/54