I Didn't Graduate

I know you're thinking something really crazy right now, but it's actually not what you're thinking. No, I didn't flunk out. And yes I did really well on all my finals. But I didn't graduate.

Up until November, I planned to graduate in January. That is until I found out that the College of Health Professions and Social Work "will not be holding a winter commencement ceremony." However, I "may walk in the Spring commencement ceremony if [I] wish." Sorry, but I've been waiting for my diploma for four and a half years since August 2009, I'm not waiting any longer than I have to.

I understand that it's my choice to not wait until May, but it still sucks that I don't get to walk across the stage in front of my family and friends with a cap on my head and a rolled up piece of paper in my hand as they play a recording of Pomp & Circumstance.

Kristo's graduation ceremony was last week. (of course they held one for the college of liberal arts.) I was so incredibly proud of him and all that he's accomplished (2 Bachelor's degrees with distinction in the major for econ!!!!), but it was bittersweet in the fact that I didn't get to close my college career like everyone else.  That bratty voice inside my head kept saying "that should be me." But he's a really good boyfriend and he understood how I felt which led to this picture.

Every once in a while, you relearn the lesson that you can't always get what you want. It sucks, but it's a very concrete part of life. So how do you deal? You find a solution. If you can't get what you want, you find another plan. Which is exactly what I did. I ordered my senior portraits. They cost me almost $200 (HIGHWAY ROBBERY), but it's worth the fact that I can send my capped and gowned self to all of my relatives. And at least I can pretend that I graduated.

If all else fails, try to find the good in the situation. I'm lucky to have a job in my chosen field before I even receive my diploma, graduated or not. So here's to life lessons and keeping your head up.

What are some life lessons that you weren't so happy to learn?

I Hate Groundhog Day

Groundhog day can go pound sand snow. I’m still trying to figure out why people keep depending on a rodent to tell them the weather pattern for the rest of the season, as opposed to the meteorologists who pay thousands of dollars to earn degrees in the science of weather. I’m ashamed to say that this rodent resides in my state and I pity the fool who listens to a bunch of old crackpots who drag a helpless animal out of the warmth of its home to shine a light and camera on its face until they get the answer they’re so desperately seeking.

Anyway, Punxutawney Phil saw his m-effing shadow the other day and this “proves” that we’re going to have 6 more weeks of winter. Ya don’t say? This godforsaken season lasts until Spring starts on March 20th every year. Way to tell the world exactly what they already knew. Why don’t we ask this magical groundhog something useful like

• what are tomorrow’s winning lottery numbers?
• will the Jamaican bobsled team win any gold medals this year (Cool Runnings, anyone) ?
• where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?
• who let the dogs out?

He can’t tell ya? Didn’t think so.
Let’s ruminate about Groundhog Day together! What kinds of things would you want Phil to tell you?