So the big day finally came. I'm graduated! I'll confess, the night before, I stayed up late dreading it. Graduations don't generally float my boat too much (hey, you try playing Pomp and Circumstance every single year for 10 years!) but they don't usually fill me with dread either. I was angry that I was getting the wrong degree. I still feel strongly that I earned my elementary education degree, not the educational studies one I got. I was dreading seeing my cohort because I just didn't fit in with them anymore. I was dismissed from the program, I was not celebrating my teaching certificate the way they were. I was afraid it was just going to hurt too much to be surrounded by everyone else.
That morning I got up and got ready. I got two graduation gifts. 1) the title to my car. In all honesty I wasn't that excited at the revelation that I now have to pay the car insurance, but I was happy at the symbol of me being an adult. The other was a gorgeous necklace that I'm excited to have (even if I can't put it on ;) Next, Mom, Dad, Trevor, and I got in the car and drove up to Phoenix. We were all tired, so we kept to ourselves and just enjoyed the view. We finally got out of the car and went to lunch at Oregano's
So whose bright idea was it to have food slathered in red sauce right before going to a formal-ish event? Seriously, did that person know I can't eat food without getting some on me? Jeez. Wait, I got to pick the restaurant. Okay, it wasn't my smartest idea, but I love Oregano's. I love that they have good food and such a laid back atmosphere. When I picked it, I forgot that no one else in my family likes jazz. Oops. They bravely put up with it for me and enjoyed the black and white tv show being shown in the corner. I did drip some spaghetti sauce on my dress, but graduation robes were made to cover that, right?
When I got there I took some pictures with my family, then we parted ways. I went down to get my registration card and saw my cohort. They were taking group picture. Tears pricked my eyes, but I asked if I could join in. They all said "of course" a little like it was an obvious question. Every last one of them was happy to see me and many came and specifically asked me how I was doing or express their support. I felt a little silly for thinking I didn't fit in with them any more. We've been through Hell (ummm....I mean iTeach) together. We've laughed and cried over pretty much the same things. I feel incredibly blessed to be part of this group.
I'd just like to take a quick paragraph to thank the people in my cohort for being amazing people and true friends. A special shoutout to each of you: Kazmere, Stephen, Kristina, Liz, Elizabeth, Mellissa, Huy, Derrick, Janette, Liliana, Yesi, Becky, Leah, Cami, Hayley B, Hayley L, Anthony, Kayla, Nada, Ashley, Dulce, Caitlyn, Hannah, Evelyn,
There was just one part of this I never factored in: stairs. I feel whoever invented stairs should climb and descend them for the rest of eternity. I can go up them semi-okay, but going down is scary. I still never quite know when my right knee is going to collapse, so I try to avoid them. The solution: conga line! Okay, maybe it was just me and one other person, but it worked. Going down the stadium stairs I took Hayley's shoulder and we made it down. Actually, I tripped on the last step (yep, I called that one) but because I had ahold of someone I stayed upright. Thanks Hayley! We went up a ramp to get our degrees, but we had to go down the stairs after to get off the stage. We had to do it in front of everyone too! Thank goodness for handrails, that's all I have to say. When I got to the bottom my teacher Lessita told me good job. I was so grateful for the recognition and the encouragement.
We sat together and took in the solemnity of the occasion, enthusiastically (but politely) giving our love and support to each person as they came across the stage. Who believes me? Really we talked and laughed quietly among ourselves the whole time. Hey, I don't expect the grad students to be paying attention when I get my degree. There were 1,100 people graduating. Yes, that many. Kinda boring, but who goes to graduation for the entertainment?
Afterwards I went out with everyone and got a hug from my teacher Ashleigh. She told me "you are going to do amazing things!" Man, I am grateful for all the mentors in my life who have given me the confidence to try. I'd be lost without them.
So how do you improve on a day like that? What kind of celebration can make it all that much better? I'll tell you...SLEEP! Yes, there was sleeping on the way home. I was content with that and happy to call it a day!
Seriously though, it's been a long, hard six years to get this degree. To say I went through hell is almost too literal for my taste. I don't quite know yet where I'm going from here, but I think it's gonna be pretty good. I'm off to have some more fun, meet some new people, and laugh along the way!
ps pictures will be added as soon as I can get the camera
That morning I got up and got ready. I got two graduation gifts. 1) the title to my car. In all honesty I wasn't that excited at the revelation that I now have to pay the car insurance, but I was happy at the symbol of me being an adult. The other was a gorgeous necklace that I'm excited to have (even if I can't put it on ;) Next, Mom, Dad, Trevor, and I got in the car and drove up to Phoenix. We were all tired, so we kept to ourselves and just enjoyed the view. We finally got out of the car and went to lunch at Oregano's
So whose bright idea was it to have food slathered in red sauce right before going to a formal-ish event? Seriously, did that person know I can't eat food without getting some on me? Jeez. Wait, I got to pick the restaurant. Okay, it wasn't my smartest idea, but I love Oregano's. I love that they have good food and such a laid back atmosphere. When I picked it, I forgot that no one else in my family likes jazz. Oops. They bravely put up with it for me and enjoyed the black and white tv show being shown in the corner. I did drip some spaghetti sauce on my dress, but graduation robes were made to cover that, right?
When I got there I took some pictures with my family, then we parted ways. I went down to get my registration card and saw my cohort. They were taking group picture. Tears pricked my eyes, but I asked if I could join in. They all said "of course" a little like it was an obvious question. Every last one of them was happy to see me and many came and specifically asked me how I was doing or express their support. I felt a little silly for thinking I didn't fit in with them any more. We've been through Hell (ummm....I mean iTeach) together. We've laughed and cried over pretty much the same things. I feel incredibly blessed to be part of this group.
I'd just like to take a quick paragraph to thank the people in my cohort for being amazing people and true friends. A special shoutout to each of you: Kazmere, Stephen, Kristina, Liz, Elizabeth, Mellissa, Huy, Derrick, Janette, Liliana, Yesi, Becky, Leah, Cami, Hayley B, Hayley L, Anthony, Kayla, Nada, Ashley, Dulce, Caitlyn, Hannah, Evelyn,
There was just one part of this I never factored in: stairs. I feel whoever invented stairs should climb and descend them for the rest of eternity. I can go up them semi-okay, but going down is scary. I still never quite know when my right knee is going to collapse, so I try to avoid them. The solution: conga line! Okay, maybe it was just me and one other person, but it worked. Going down the stadium stairs I took Hayley's shoulder and we made it down. Actually, I tripped on the last step (yep, I called that one) but because I had ahold of someone I stayed upright. Thanks Hayley! We went up a ramp to get our degrees, but we had to go down the stairs after to get off the stage. We had to do it in front of everyone too! Thank goodness for handrails, that's all I have to say. When I got to the bottom my teacher Lessita told me good job. I was so grateful for the recognition and the encouragement.
We sat together and took in the solemnity of the occasion, enthusiastically (but politely) giving our love and support to each person as they came across the stage. Who believes me? Really we talked and laughed quietly among ourselves the whole time. Hey, I don't expect the grad students to be paying attention when I get my degree. There were 1,100 people graduating. Yes, that many. Kinda boring, but who goes to graduation for the entertainment?
Afterwards I went out with everyone and got a hug from my teacher Ashleigh. She told me "you are going to do amazing things!" Man, I am grateful for all the mentors in my life who have given me the confidence to try. I'd be lost without them.
So how do you improve on a day like that? What kind of celebration can make it all that much better? I'll tell you...SLEEP! Yes, there was sleeping on the way home. I was content with that and happy to call it a day!
Seriously though, it's been a long, hard six years to get this degree. To say I went through hell is almost too literal for my taste. I don't quite know yet where I'm going from here, but I think it's gonna be pretty good. I'm off to have some more fun, meet some new people, and laugh along the way!
ps pictures will be added as soon as I can get the camera
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