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Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Graduation & Exciting News

The past week of my life feels a bit surreal. A week ago today I was picking up my mother at the airport before heading to dinner at the President’s (of the college) house. Now, after many ceremonies, festivities, celebrations, and 18 hours of driving, I am home in Colorado.

Last Friday was our Baccalaureate service and Saturday was Graduation. Each year, my College holds Graduation in a beautiful outdoor garden on campus. This year, we were threatened with rain but I crossed my fingers and said my prayers and…it didn’t rain! It was overcast, but I soon realized this was a blessing when one has to sit outdoors in a black robe in Memphis in May.

Without further adieu, I present to you a series of photos I like to call, "I can't believe they actually gave me a Diploma."


{The part where I received my Diploma.}

{Cool, a hood...}

{Recessional.}


{Friends.}

{I have fantastic relatives who come to see me graduate!}

The English Department hosted a champagne reception right after the ceremony. It was really nice and I got a few photos with two of my favorite Professors from this past semester.

{Professor Richards; "Chick Flicks and Macho Movies"}

{Professor Richards; "Senior Seminar: American Gothic" Yes, they are married.}

{The traditional Parents & Graduate shot.}


{Lovely cousin Jane.}

{Parents & Graduate Take 2}

It is a school superstition that if you walk over the Seal before Graduation you won't graduate. I am not terribly superstitious but I had never once walked over that seal in 4 years, even thought it is the most direct path through Palmer Hall from one door to the next, nor had I ever seen anyone else walk over it. Actually, I take that back, I did see a student walk over it once and I was so shocked I stopped walking to gape. Anyway, one of my favorite parts of the ceremony was during the Processional when we walked through Palmer and directly over the Seal! Of course, I needed a picture standing on it.

To be honest, it still hasn’t really sunk in that I am a College Graduate. {Especially when I’m desperately trying to find a summer job!}

I do have some very exciting news to share.

I spent a good part of my last semester applying for a Grant through the Spanish Government to teach English in Spain. Yesterday, I received an email offering me a Grant and a position!

I don’t know a lot yet, only that I will be in the region of AndalucĂ­a (that’s in the Southern part of Spain). I am technically a Language and Cultural Assistant and I could be assigned to any grade level to assist with English and also lead cultural exchange. I don’t know what specific city or town I will be in yet or when I leave, but as soon as I know, I’ll let you know. For now, I’m still basking in my excitement, shock and relief.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m also already starting to freak out a little bit. There are so many fears—what if I can’t teach? What if my meager Spanish skills aren’t enough and don’t improve? What if I don’t make friends? etc. However, I have a whole summer to mentally and physically prepare for this next adventure in my life, so I plan on taking it one step at a time—and watching a lot of Spanish television.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Senior Week

Guess what? I am graduating from college tomorrow! Today is Baccalaureate. These facts are insane to me. Where did four years go? I have so many pictures and memories to share on the blog, but for now, I wanted to share a couple of fun shots from this past week (Senior Week!). (Senior Week is a whole week that we get between finals ending and Graduation to just be free and hang out with friends, with planned activities each day: wine tasting, river boat party, champagne brunch, dinner at the President’s House, etc. Fun!)

Before Casino Cruise:

We ventured to Jerry's Sno Cones, a famous and delicious Memphis landmark. I heard Elvis used to go there? Or something? Anyway, it looks like a dive (it is) but it is tasty.

Sno Cone Supreme: Raspberry ice and vanilla icecream.


Champagne Brunch!


Relaxing on the field at the Baseball game.


The library & I.
(Pretty much where I lived for 4 years.)

We played in the fountain by the Theater...


And took pictures with our school's mascot, the Lynx. Aka, a glorified house cat.


At the President's house for dinner.

Quite a wonderful week.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

10 things I love about Spring

As I mentioned in my last post, I have been a bad blogger. To try to catch up on some of my Spring highlights, I’m playing along with Busy Bee Lauren's blog and listing my 10 favorite things of the past couple of months.

1.) Easter at my bestie's house! We dyed eggs, "watched" a movie for class while enjoying wine, and made endless fun of a certain celebrity's smile/facial expressions.


2.) O.C.-athons with friends! Nothing better than other people's (fake) drama to help distract me from my own school-induced rage blackouts.

3.) The Zoo! My school is literally across the street from the zoo, so my friends and I played hooky one day to go enjoy the animals on their free Tuesday's.
We saw...


{Oops! This picture didn't really work out. It says "Cuddly lions," "Snackin' elephants," "Babies!" and "Watcho lookin' at?"}

Also: Because of years of my mother wanting to take pictures of me and my sister in sun hats posing in her garden, my first instinct when seeing these flowers was to take a picture.



4.) Skyping with my ibff Shannon! Our conversations always range from the hilarious to the philosophical and make me smile.


5.) Happy Mail!


I am so blessed with friends and family. Today I had 2 package slips in my mail box. My amazing and talented bestie Lauren surprised me with a beautiful handcrafted headband from her Shoppe!!! I love the way it looks with my hair color. Thanks so much, Lar (for the headband AND all of your support this semester)!




AND
I got a celebratory package from my parents! I couldn't stop squealing over it. It included hazelnut cinnamon coffee, gum, my favorite trail mix, pretty dresses (both for graduation and for fun), an itunes gift card, Peppermint Patties (proof that they read and take note of my blog, haha), and best of all... a new Rimmel London lipstick! My mom knows me so well: Today at Target I was looking at the lipsticks and I decided I wanted to buy "berry rose" next time I splurged....and look at what lipstick she sent!

{Thanks, 'rents!}

6.) Jerry's Sno Cones. Jerry's is a local favorite. It's in a sketchy area and it's what my Aunt would call a "dive" but it's reputation is well earned--they have the most delicious snow cones I've ever tasted! The ice is actually like snow and I got the supreme which has icecream in it. Strawberry Cheesecake Supreme, yum!

7..) Rites to Play. This is a carnival my school puts on each year for local children. It's entirely free for them and full of bouncy castles, carnival food (snow cones, cotton candy, rootbeer floats, oh my!) and is just as much fun to volunteer at. I loved watching all the happy families...and enjoyed some of the food myself.


8.) Free Massage! For finals, my school paid for two Masseuses to come for an afternoon. I actually didn't know about it to make an appointment, but one of my friend's couldn't go to hers so I snagged her identity for a quick half hour and got a massage. Ah, bliss.

9.) Rockin' out to Kate Nash. I love her so much! I've particularly been loving, dancing, and singing along to,"Do-Wah-Doo" and "Paris" lately.

10.) FINISHING COLLEGE!!!
First my life looked like this:

...While I devoted my life to my Senior Paper.

Then I finished that 23 page paper, and moved on to a film Research Paper...


...and now those, plus a short Spanish paper are all turned in and I am officially done with finals and the semeseter! All that's left is to receive my grades and then, on May 15th, my diploma!!

Despite all the work and stress, it's been a very lovely Spring here in Memphis, Tennessee. Tell me about your Spring. :)

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

I'm So Vain

I had the best intentions to update about my life. 'Cause there is so much going on and I have been ridiculously M.I.A. Hopefully, I will actually do that soon.

For now I'm posting about a vanity issue.


I've almost always had long hair. I consider shoulder length "short." I particularly spent the last two years trying to really grow out my hair. Although I love my long hair I'm not sure if it actually looks that good--I get mixed feedback from friends. I'm considering cutting it short(er) when I move home after graduation because I've been told that shorter hair makes me looks older. I want to look adult since I'll be (frantically) looking for a job.

So I need YOUR vote. Long or short.

Here's a recent picture of my hair length. Please excuse how blurry and icky it is.


vs.

Short(er) hair. This picture is almost 3 years old. Excuse the weird open-mouthed smile.


What do you think? Long? Short? And how short?

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