Graduation

On December 16 I FINALLY got to make thew trip down the aisle to receieve my diploma--er the tube that my diploma may one day be stuffed in. It felt rather bizarre since I have been done for so long to be there and graduating with that group, but even though there was no walking ceremony in the summer, I wanted to be able to look back in 50 years and think of how young I look in my cap and gown, and laugh that I'm wearing honors cords from an organization nicknamed STD (Sigma Tau Delta-- The English Honors Society.)

A couple days before the ceremony I also got to see Dr. Thralls, which was great. I had been feeling rather disheartened in that female hormonal, "I am horrible at my life's work and ugly too," kinda way and, as always, talking to her really raised my spirits. Without my bringing up my discouragement she not only praised my accomplishements with my new job, but also said that she knew that I would be "so successful" because of the talent I had displyed in her Hoss of a class, and she also looked me over and pronounced what I was wearing to be very professional and beautiful. I don't know if my insecurities had been written all over me, or if she just has a sense for building others up, but no matter what the reason I am thankful.

Graduation was actually pretty nice-- no boring keynote speaker, just the two honoroary doctorate recipients-- and at the ned they played "Sleigh Ride" and had a curtain of fake snow falling from above the stage that all the graduates had to walk through. Perfect for the season.

After a flurry of photos my parents and Melinda and I made the trip up to Mezze and ate just about every dish that they make there. Excpet for M'Hancha. Lo Siento, Melinda. You'll just have to stay single a little longer.

I also got the most super sweet graduation gift that an English major could want-- the lovely laptop computer that I am now writing this post upon. After years of struggling on life support, my old one gave out several months ago, and the lack of a proper writing platform was really getting to me. Honestly, it was a good part of why I was feeling depressed an inadequate when I saw Dr. Thralls. That probably sounds kida odd to most of you, but in this technology-laden age it is vital to a writer (at least a new one) to have the proper technology to support her endeavors. I never thought that I would get something like this though-- my family NEVER does large gifts like this, all I aksed for as a grad. gift was the stereotypical briefcase-like bag. Of course-- the comp. is also partially a Christmas gift, so maybe it is a God thing that I had to wait to graduate until this season. If I'd walked in the summer maybe I wouldn't have it-- but then again, my birthday is in the summer, so you never know.