You probably noticed the Sumo wrestler, right over there.  He's obviously at a job interview, and looks to be taking the whole thing kind of semi-seriously, if you ask me.  I mean....his hair says "business formal" but his loin-dress screams casual.  I just learned that Sumo loin-wear is actually called "mawashi" (I'll washi if you washi), and that its creation and adornment are complicated, highly symbolic, and strategic, of all things.  It's fascinating.  Who knew some Sumos prefer their mawashis (mawashiii?) loose, all to make life difficult for the opponent who dares to attempt a take-down?  Or who dares to show up wearing the same mawashi (MYwashi, not yours. Ha!). 

Anyway, I usually don't ponder Sumo strategy and uniform.  But Sumos have been on my mind today because I didn't realize one had been squatting on my chest the last few years until he finally climbed off, and kotenaged his way back to his Sumo mat, butt and all.  I know you know the feeling, because it's utterly human and inescapable.  I've felt great stresses and pressures and uncertainties many times in the past - we all have! - so the feeling itself wasn't new.  Just the seeming permanence of it was. 

Until today, because I learned I somehow passed the Boards.  Experiencing that exam process is like what mediating an upcoming Obama-Romney debate might be like, for that soul....head-bangingly frustrating and "you-gotta-be-KIDDING-me!"-worthy.  Through God's grace and some additional benevolent universal wormhole, I don't need to re-take an exam that I was really certain I'd failed.  My doppleganger in some parallel universe is pissed off right now, because she's the one who's got to put her life on hold again, until she gets it right.  Me....all I have to do now, is go to work, and get paid.  Beautiful!!!  No more exams and projects and presentations and impossible-immovable deadlines and studying without a break, and worrying about whether I'd be able to make house payments and spend on Christmas gifts and food shopping and..... 

Being a student again at this stage of my life was more stressful than I'd planned (yes, I tend to plan my stress).  But it's done, and the never-ending worry and workload of the last few years is gone.  I'm amazed my family and loved ones and friends haven't kicked me to the curb.  Not once.  Probably hard to get the right angle for that, with a Sumo in the way.  So to you, I'm so sorry if the strain was that obvious, and I was an intensely large pain in the butt (loins and butts keep coming up.  hmmmm...).

I may actually owe that mawashi-strutting guy my gratitude for, strangely, being a buffer (!), and for knowing when to leave. 

And I know when to say "thank you", to everyone.  With all my heart.  But I'm keeping the mawashi.