the end of a journey

so, here i sit waiting for the car to come pick me up and take me to the train station to catch my flight. as i was enjoying the peace and quiet that accompanies 4:45 am, i could not help but think about this being my last time in the uk for this length of time. it is definitely a bitter-sweet feeling knowing that the end is here but this is what i have been asking for for so long---to be able to go back home. i have met so many wonderful individuals and learned so much about life, myself, and the world in general. more importantly, i learned how much i did not know. there is no better teacher than experience. that has been the most rewarding part of this entire journey the last 4.5 years, meeting people friends (how could i ever make that mistake in misnaming them) from around the world that have offered open invitations to come visit. thank you sincerely and know that the same holds true for you at my home.

as i close, i must give a huge thank you to mr. mhy for letting me crash at his place in london for the last 26 days as i finished up my requirements for school. i owe you big time for this family. i cannot wait to offer you the same hospitality. i love you like a brother and thank God everyday for allowing us to cross paths. there are no accidents, and i know that God had a wonderful plan in mind when we crossed paths that faithful saturday playing basketball. we have so many stories and have experienced so much of our separate journeys together, which has made my own experience that much more enjoyable and memorable.

i must pack up my laptop now, but i will be back once i touch down back in georgia.

PASSED my dissertation defense

first off, many apologies for delaying this post and not posting it yesterday. i hope you understand that i was so intense before my defense (it is actually called a viva in the uk) and so ecstatic after i passed that this blog post was delayed. indeed, as you have been with me since the start, i cannot imaging that i forgot to share the great news with you all. it has been a great journey, but a journey that i am happy to see come to an end as i prepare for the next chapter in life.

the viva went really well, and i knew about halfway through that i had completed the requirements to be awarded the degree of phd. it feel freekin' awesome. i can't put it into words. there was such a sense of relief and weights being lifted off of my shoulders when i heard the words: "congratulations dr. hylick, you have passed your viva and are awarded the degree of phd with minor corrections." such a sweet reward from a long journey a LONG way from home.

i guess that is the beauty of it all. you work hard for it and earn the achievement, and you feel such a euphoric feeling of happiness and sense of accomplishment that is only temporary as a feeling, but PERMANENT in terms of a lifetime of confidence in your ability to achieve this and any other goal going forward simply by thinking about this event in time.

this blog has really helped me to maintain my sanity through this arduous process that is a phd, but too, it has forced me to really learn how to think through and articulate feelings that otherwise may go unspoken. i hope that reading this blog through my journey has provided, not only entertainment and updates, but also a 'survival guide' if you will that will help others navigate the graduate school process.

there will be more posts as the next few weeks roll by, but i will be sending out links to my new blog to share some other passions that i have been working on for about 2 years now. thank you for riding with thus far, and do continue to press on until victory is won!!! in the famous words of jimmy v "don't give up, don't ever give up."



-anthony hylick

approaching the day that i have been waiting for since i started my phd

it's funny how all the hard work and many hours are finally coming to an end as i approach my dissertation defense (it's called a viva in the uk...but same thing). the work has been done, and it is up to this oral examination for me to showcase that i deserve this degree. no pressure right....lol.

i am confident in my work and honestly feel that i am prepared for this examination after having gone the rigorous process that is interviewing for industry and academic research positions. i have done this before in front of people that i did not necessarily feel as comfortable with and prevailed. so why should this be any different or any more difficult?

this chapter in my life is almost over, and the joy of having achieved this goal will be very refreshing------then.........#ontothenextone!!!

back in the uk

i made it back to england this past friday and am still trying to shake the jetlag and get back into the productivity groove. my dissertation defense is friday morning, and i am preparing all this week. i feel very confident in my knowledge of and the quality of my submitted work. at this point, i am just anxious to get the game started and show what i know.

more updates to come this week. it's kinda funny how i've been waiting for the moment since i started my phd in 2005, and it is finally here!!! we've come a mighty long way, and the end is right there. don't give up now. finish strong ant. finish strong!!!!

let's GOOOOOOOOOOO.

worthwhile talks to watch

on my youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/equbed i've shared some of the videos that i think align rather nicely with my equbed brand. please do check them out and let me know what you think.

follow me on twitter @equbed

check me out. more posts and tweets to come.

here's a view from my soon-to-be place

GG View from equbed on Vimeo.