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.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Bicycle! BICYCLE!

I want to ride my bicycle. I want to ride my BIKE!

Sir Kay got me this little beauty for the big two-four (and for my grad) and I love it! I've been wanting a bike. I wasn't at all subtle. I straight up begged. And it worked. The champ delivered. We went on a 9 mile ride through EM Friday afternoon. It was glorious! Our ride hurt by bum so I bought some (very flattering) padded shorts that very day. It also hurt my knees but that can only be a good thing, right?

Saturday, May 8, 2010

So Proud

See how proud I am of my graduating wife?
I love her so much and appreciate her hard workin' brains.

Monday, May 3, 2010

BIG week

I have pretty big week ahead of me. It'll go a little like this:

The big week started last Saturday really. Adam watched a huge boxing match with his family. I hung out with some of my besties. Not a bad night, really.

Monday (today)
I have my last final exam tonight. Have I studied? No. It's still noteworthy though.

Tuesday.
I'll be spending the morning of my 24th birthday presenting my final project. You may be thinking, "final on your birthday, bleh!" ...and you'd be right. But it is kind of a nice little birthday gift to never have to take a final again (trying to see the glass half full). I imagine AK will buy be dinner and give me presents which will be lovely.

Wednesday.
Glory day. I'm done! I shall relish. I work this day and have to pick up my cap and gown as well as sell back some books (and maybe each lunch with Brit...?). It'll be a great day. Then AK's mom and step dad are taking me out for my birthday (are you beginning to see a trend?).

Thursday.
The big G day. Thursday is my convocation. I get to sit in a crowded auditorium bored out of my mind (and force my loved ones to watch...while bored out of their minds). Then I will be handed a fake diploma and pictures will be taken in my silly getup. Then I imagine there will be some more free dinner involved.

Friday.
Friday is the commencement. Not so sure I'm going. It depends entirely on if my mom makes me go or not. Regardless, it'll be sweet because me and AK are gonna spend the day together celebrating. I'm hoping this day involves a gyro...we'll see.

Saturday.
AK's dad is moving and we're helping (and will thus, likely, get more free food for being so nice).

Sunday.
Mother's day...I got my mom a great gift. She's a great lady. Hardest worker out there. I think we'll either eat with my mom or Adam's (also a great lady). Either way...more free din.

So, we'll be really happy...possible really fat...and likely with some spare dollars in our pockets. Stoked!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Ballerina Dress

We watched this little gem this weekend. Whenever we watch her we ask her what she wants to do. I've been on a sewing kick lately and asked if she wanted to make something. She wanted to make a Cinderella dress, and Aurora...and Belle...etc. I said she could pick one. So she changed directions and said she wanted a ballerina dress that was pink with purple polka dots. Lately everything is pink with purple polka dots. We went to the fabric store and let her pick some extremely sparkly (seriously there are still sparkles EVERYWHERE) fabrics. She was a little confused..."Uh, Jen, this isn't a ballerina dress pink and purple polka dots." I explained we were gonna make it together...I don't think she quite got it until it was done.

I let her cut the pink tulle herself (not the greatest idea but she would have been bored if I did the whole thing) as well as iron some creases. She also traced all the circles and thought she was running the sewing machine (I couldn't give that one to her). It turned out super cute. I wasn't so sure the polka dots would work out but they ended up being way cute.

She loved dancing in front of the big mirror in the guest room (which she thinks is her room). It belongs on the wall in the guest bathroom...we just haven't gotten around to hanging it. We also painted some wooden beads and made a necklace, played at the park, played games, and watched bits of "Ariel" (the only Disney princess movie we own...thanks to Aliese).

It was nice to get a little break from making curtains and make something a little more fun. Poor AK had to work on his paper most the day so he only joined us for painting fun and helped me attempt to de-sparkle the house. Lyv called them sprinkles and loved that they were all over the place. Now her parents can deal with all the sparkles!

TODAY is my first morning off...I don't go to the senior center anymore. I got a lot done...although our house is still a bit of a disaster (seriously, it's amazing that all you moms manage to keep your houses clean...one day and ours is a wreck). I got to do a little blogging while eating some amazing Cinnamon Life and I get to fold some laundry (I really like doing laundry). I miss the olds but it sure was awesome to have a few hours to myself.