I have submitted my PhD dissertation --- titled 'Three pitfalls in Java performance evaluation' --- to the Faculty of Engineering who convened on February 20th, 2008 and decided I was to be allowed to the first (internal) defense. I have sent my dissertation to my jury members, who are (alphabetically ordered):
Basically, the internal defense amounts to a two-hour session in which I have to answer a barrage of questions from my jury. If I pass this test, I will be allowed to the public and second defense. April 11 is D-day for now.