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I'm getting a little (very) nervous. Today I'll give my first lecture as a Literature PHD. It'll be a big, big event, at one of the biggest Universities in Brazil, the Pontifican Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC - Rio). It's a big event with professors from all over the country (some from overseas - mostly Portugal, Angola and other portuguese-speaking countries). It's one of those things that can make or break one's career. Of course, I won't be the only one talking today. There'll be many well-known professors and writers out there. My lecture'll be about Modern and Postmodern literature and its consequences: what the westerner culture actually "gained" or "lost" by going modern and, later, postmodern. It's a tough subject, and there'll probably be some debate afterwards. I can already imagine a thousand ways how people could rip me cleanly apart.
I was told the whole affair will be aired on the Internet, but I don't know the site (yet). Well...anyway, there'll be a bunch of bookish men and women talking about literature in portuguese.
My grandmother said that even the most non-religious person feels the need of praying in a tough spot. I found it's truth. Although I know my stuff, I'm really, really nervous (I'm shaking while I type this), for crying out loud!
I gave lectures before, but never in such a big event, and never with those letters attached to my name (PHD). They weight a ton! People read them and think their owner must be a deep well of knowledge! I feel as a shallow pool!
quote: They weight a ton! People read them and think their owner must be a deep well of knowledge! I feel as a shallow pool!
You know, I think most everyone giving a presentation of this sort feels this way. I've chatted with several of my brightest friends before their defenses and they were quivering like leaves. In the end, thogh, I think the people who worry the most end up doing the best.
Hope it went well! (and congratulations for surviving -- I'm assuming there are no executions for presentations in Brazil *grin*)
Posts: 1777 | Registered: Jan 2003
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Hello! I'm alive, I'm alive! Thanks you all for your support!
I almost chocked! I almost cried!
But in the end I did it! And I'll receive a DVD with the whole thing filmed.
The public was nice to me (the room was huge, and it was almost packed!), I received some applause, there were some questions, that I mananged to answer without shaming myself...
In the end I guess it was ok. A Portuguese professor, from Coimbra University even asked for a copy of my essay!
Once again, thanks! Now...resting a bit before going to work again (groan).
Edited to add: (Still feel like a shallow pool, though)
Nice lady (abashed, measuring me up and down in disbelief): "Are you a professor? Well...sorry . There's a table over there reserved to you"
(When I finished eating, they sent me the bill, and I had to explain again, to three different people that I was a professor and that the University was paying for my lunch. Should I grow a beard or something?) Posts: 1785 | Registered: Oct 2003
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<<<<<<<<<<<<<Eduardo Sauron>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yay for you! I wish I had seen this earlier so I could send you the calming vibes but I know you did fantastic. Every time you start talking about literature you get all interested and excited and forget everything else and your love for it really shows, for sure. I'm sure you connected with everyone in the audience. I wish I could have heard it! Errr.... I wish I could have heard it ... and that I spoke Portuguese ... so I could have understood it too .... and ... that I had read the stuff ... you were talking about.
Hmmmm. I sort of have my work cut out for me on this whole topic, don't it?
[ September 15, 2004, 03:34 PM: Message edited by: ak ]
Posts: 2843 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
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Hooray! You are one of the coolest people I know, Ed.
quote:(When I finished eating, they sent me the bill, and I had to explain again, to three different people that I was a professor and that the University was paying for my lunch. Should I grow a beard or something?)
Either that or take up smoking a pipe Posts: 8504 | Registered: Aug 1999
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Get glasses, dye your hair grey (and thin it out a bit) wear a suit and tie all the time, and get a very serious look. Other wise just put up with with people not believing you're a prof for a few years
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Eduardo--from one instructor to another--good for you! And don't worry that you look so young. Young professors are inspirations to young students and give the girls in class something to enjoy while taking notes.
Seriously, as one of my favorite Brit-com characters often asserts---"ROCK ON!"
Posts: 392 | Registered: Aug 2004
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