Thursday, May 13, 2010

The Denial...

Think "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana. Not because I can relate much to that song...mostly because I'm a little in denial and that song says it a lot...repeats it...like there's no ignoring it.

You see, I've got a "degree" now. That's what they say, at least. I suppose I currently only have an empty degree holder. But the University of Utah claims they have plans to mail me a piece of paper meant to better my future. Here's the catch though, nothing has changed. It doesn't seem as though I have finally earned a degree. I have the same job and the same measly income. And it doesn't seem there are any alternatives to said job. I plan to go to grad school but that's not for at least another year. And thus, I shall float...just float...for one whole year. Just seems a little anticlimactic, that's all. (If you think this paragraph is depressing, you should have heard the "speaker" at the grad...she was a buzz kill if ever there was one)

Nonetheless, I don't have to study much or take any tests for one whole year, and I am pleased as punch about that. Below are some pics of the sainted day. I wore purple, suede heels with a very loud ruffle on the toe. You, know, because that's all that you see...your shoes (accept in every single picture). I also did my hair curly...don't know why...should have listened to a very wise Rory...straight is best when wearing a silly cardboard and polyester cap. My tassle was green...dark green. The color of tassle for my college (and thus, the color worn by every other graduate) is sage. Maybe the screwed up color makes this super secret "degree" of mine null and void and that is where this sense of denial is coming from. Or maybe they knew I was super special so they gave me green so I could get attention from people I don't know (ie "hey, why is your tassle dark green?" yup! attention).


You'll note some fairly proud family members in the above photos. AK is thrilled that I'm done (remember that one time when he wrote a really sweet post on this very blog about being proud of his gal?). Mostly because now I can come home at a reasonable hour and not give all my dollars away to the U. But also because I worked hard in a difficult major (especially for me because I despise science) and got a pretty good gpa and now I can one day go to grad school and eventually make the WHOLE world a better place (mostly just the 3rd world countries though). Also, he just loves me.

My ma and old man are pretty proud too. Maybe I'll stop eating lunch between classes there now (although I wouldn't bet on it). Natalie looks to be quite please to have just sat through a fairly short convocation, I must say (btw, I left early...making it even shorter...haha!). Chicken mostly didn't want to go because he just had knee surgery and I think he watched a movie on his ipod the whole time (which makes me a little more proud of him...the movie part...the surgery part mostly makes me a little sad because he might not come backpacking with me next week). He is the greatest brother a gal could ask for.

Lastly, the greatest old kids on the block. I'm only the second grand-kid to graduate college (I think)...but Lad and Sheila are hot on my tracks. They bought me a delightful celebratory feast. I love these two. I have big plans on being just like them. Adam's gonna be skinny and frail looking but actually really tough and funny and brilliant and the best guy anyone's ever met. I'm gonna be a little nuts but so funny and loving and a bit blunt and wonderful that the old gma. She's the greatest thing since flip-flops...and I mean it.

Welp, time for the big college grad to go drag her husband (asleep on the couch) to bed to get ready for her big day tomorrow...at the same old job she's done for four years.

8 comments:

hairyshoefairy said...

Hooray for graduating! That must feel awesome. I aspire to be like your grandma, too.

Carlye said...

Jen you're my favorite....
I am putting in a request for a picture of the purple shoes. That is all.

*Aliese* said...

Kinda sad we missed it...kinda not...mostly for the free meal; I cannot lie. Good job for wearing cute shoes; I probably woulda sported the flops. Then again, maybe not since I haven't worn flops to any of my previous graduations (there have been three). Maybe on the up-and-coming fourth one I will; we'll see. Love the g'parents. Love that they're pretty much hero-ized by all who know them. Brother looks pretty adorable as a "short" family member; it makes me remember a simpler day because, apparently, he's the tallish one now. I've typed lots of random stuff. Probably time to stop.

P.S. I'd be lying if I said the curls didn't make us look more similar. Apparently as we get old, we actually look like sibs.

N Luthi said...

congrats, congrats, congrats!

Hatch said...

We are so related! Flip Flops and Grams, doesn't get better than that! Congrats on the mystery degree, I think it is awesome!

Hailey Jones said...

agreed with carlye (which by the way never knew she spelt her name like that kuddos to her parents) i want shoe pictures but i still think you are jen and you should have JUST worn the flip flops. but what-ever. i didnt' wear shoes because i didn't go to my graduation. all that work for nothing. sad.
anyway.. i miss you. a lot. i think you are funniest gal in town. love you becoming JUST like your grandma. hahaha. so so so fun.

hope you love doing two jobs at once. we should've just pretended i clocked in every day then i would've sent oyu my checks. maybe you'd even give me like 10 dollars for each check.
but et would NEVER go for that. she's too busy with her visiting teaching anyway.

Anonymous said...

Lucky duck!! No studying or tests for a whole year!! Also Maybe you noticed my blog dissapeard... Maybe not. at any rate now you'll find me here

Michelle Stocking said...

First off, way to go on the degree. It is an awesome accomplishment and for that at least you can feel different.
Secondly, I know the feeling of the degree taking you no where. Mine didn't, at least not right away. I was unemployed for the first few months after getting my degree, incapable of finding a job. They told me a degree would help me get a better job. They lied. So I wound up in a job with less than I wanted to earn. Then I had a baby and quit. Then I got a job from home and my degree finally paid off. So that is my unmotivational tid-bit. I'm sure it doesn't make you feel better about still being stuck--for now. Just hang in there.
PS I'm jealous because I want to go to grad school soon too. But you'll probably get there before me.