Call Me Crazy

Currently, I'm on campus at Georgia State, adventuring through my first day of graduate school.  After I finally finished undergrad and received my Bachelor's, I just couldn't leave well enough alone.  

Why didn't I quit while I was ahead? 

I had that thought yesterday, remembering how long and hard and... long it was to get through my 5 years at 4 colleges in 3 states across 2 countries.  I had finally done it.  

But, here we go, venturing into Master Land.  Call me crazy!  

At some point, I'll share some photos from our adventures this summer.  It was a lovely break, but we're back to the grind now! 

Memorial Day 2014

The night before Memorial Day, Mitch and I made breakfast for dinner, hash style.  I've been told that's how my grandfather liked his breakfast, and since we were going to visit him the next day, we decided to pay tribute to him that way.  

This year, Mitch, my parents, and I all were able to go to Marietta National Cemetery on Memorial Day.  My mom hadn't been in many years, so I was glad she was able to this time.  We took flowers and set them up at her dad's site, and we walked around, looking at all the flags on all the graves.  

Before we left, we went to the square and stopped at a few shops.  We cooked out when we got home, in the spirit of appreciating our freedom and the service of all soldiers fallen.  

Seize Each Day

As most everyone has heard, the world lost a very funny man yesterday.  I did not believe Mitch when he told me the news last night.  I'm in shock, as I know many are.  

Robin Williams was many wonderful characters in lots of movies.  I think of the humor in his lack of intercultural awareness in Good Morning Vietnam, his strong and stern fatherly advice in August Rush, and his upbeat friendliness as Genie in Aladdin.  

But what really hit me last night was his role as John Keating in Dead Poets Society.  His unorthodox way of teaching poetry to a group of boys at a boarding school gave them a love for learning and passion for living life.  Hearing his character's words broke my heart.  

If anyone who reads this finds themselves in a low place in life, please know you are loved and cared about.  

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may. 

Seize each day. 

Bachelors Aren't Just Men

May 10th, 2014, I became a college graduate in Applied Linguistics and English as a Foreign Language. 

It was a stormy day downtown as we made our way to the Dome.  The stadium was full of excitement.  I even got to see my name flash across the LED!  

While the day was a blur, I remember feeling accomplished and relieved that all my hard work had paid off.  Afterwards, our crew came back to Lilburn where we ate at the 1910 Public House.  

A couple weeks later, my diploma showed up in the mail.  Now we just have to frame that sucker!  

Who says women can't be bachelors?!  

AL Recognition

Hey, friends!  I've graduated college!!

I took my Phonetics and Phonology final a week ago Monday, and that was all she wrote!  

Last Thursday, I went back to campus for our department recognition ceremony.  This was where instructors from our department said nice things about us as we walked across stage and shook the hand of the Arts and Sciences head.  Mitch and my parents came, too. 

Here, I was smiling with joy because Dr. Crossley pronounced my name correctly!  

While on stage, Mitch was having a hard time getting pictures over the head in front of him...

 :\

 There she goes

Whoo!!  Congratulations, Applied Linguistics graduates!  

We also picked up our department cords to wear at commencement, and I snagged a photo with pounce too.  
(Notice the shoe change... Save the feet, please!)  

And, the obligatory group photo upon arriving home, whilst wearing my department cord.  

Oh but wait! 
The fun continues at the Dome! 

The Song Is Over

What a journey it's been, and it's all over now.  One year ago this time I never thought it was possible to be graduating now.  

Though it's taken five years, I am grateful for my undergraduate career, all over the world, with many different people, and among many campuses.  It was by no means traditional.  I'm thankful that my parents were encouraging along the way, through many tough transitions.  I'm also so thankful for Mitch who walked with me through all five years and fought for me when transfers and policies got me too upset to fight for myself or my education anymore.  I'm thankful to have shared these five years with him, and I don't know what I would have done without his support through it all.  Blood, sweat, and tears have poured into this B.A. in Applied Linguistics and EFL, and now,

The song is over. It's all behind me.

I'll sing my song to the wide open spaces. 
I'll sing my heart out to the infinite sea. 
I'll sing my visions to the sky high mountains. 
I'll sing my song to the free,

To the free. 

The Who: The Song is Over

It's Coming

It's hard to believe that after my only final tomorrow, my five undergraduate years will be over.  

My time at Union

To my year commuting to Dahlonega, where I apparently took no pictures.  

To our first married year in Turkey where I took courses online. 

And now, my four semesters downtown, where I used these books plus some more. 

It's all over, after tomorrow. 
I'll go on to my department ceremony where I'll hear nice things said about me and get my last cord to wear, and then I'll go off to the Dome where I'll where all my regalia and move my tassel.  

It's been a ride full of meltdowns and smiles; fighting to get into schools and working hard to prove myself; transferring and transforming. 

It's been the least traditional of college experiences, next to my dad's where he worked hard to finish after venturing into the world of music.  

It's coming, and it's crazy.  The end is here at the end of this week.