Graduation Party!

I had such a great weekend.

Friday evening was my graduation.  I know many people don't actually participate in the ceremony because it doesn't mean anything, the actual degree is the paper that says you completed all the coursework.  But for me, the ceremony IS the defining moment.  It's like a wedding.  You can get married without that, it is the piece of paper that says you're married, but it's the wedding that you remember as the starting point.  No matter how long you were together before that date.

Walking across that stage (or in this case, in front of it) in front of all those people, says "I did it" in my mind.  It was the ultimate achievement.  All that work, all that writing, was just so I could stand in front of the crowd and get that funky thing draped over my neck and down my back.

It meant a lot to me that my sister, her husband, my husband and son, were there to see that happen.  Graduations are boring, but walking in that line, I couldn't stop grinning!  I still can't when I think about it.  It feels good to have finished, even though I have no idea what, if anything, the degree will do for me.

Saturday I had a party to celebrate with all my friends and family.  It was a lot of work to get ready for, and after the garbage disposal thing, I was ready to cancel the whole thing.  My husband talked me out of it, and when a couple of my friends found out about my frustration, they stepped in to help make it happen.  I am so grateful, and the party was a success.  It wouldn't have happened without them.

My husband is good at making me define what needs to be done in writing, then he can help with the items on the list.  My sister came and helped with the shopping, my husband and a friend were there early to clean, and another couple of friends came early to cook.  There is no way it would have all gotten done on my own!  Thank you!!

I was also overwhelmed by the number of people who showed up.  Almost my entire bible study group showed up, even though they all have busy lives and huge families.  All of my long-time clients came, even some who are no longer clients but are still friends, to celebrate with me.  My sister and her husband and mother-in-law.  My husband's family.  Even Jill and Pam, who live an hour and a half away.  I am truly blessed to have so many people that care about me.  Thank you all!!

In case I haven't mentioned it...

...I finished my thesis!

You have no idea how good that feels! I was grinning for a week after getting the entire thing signed off by my academic advisor and the Department of Education. I have an appointment to meet with the Office of Graduate Studies in a week, and once they sign off, that's all she wrote!

I still have work to do on the website itself. The design I paid a website designer to create is crap, and he needs to change it. It's been frustrating working with him, because he knows so little about the business he decided to start. But he's not arguing about the need to change it, and he was cheap, so I'm not complaining (much). I guess you get what you pay for!

I couldn't believe how thick my paper was, once I had printed it. I had never printed the whole thing. I took my son with me when I went to pick it up from the Department of Education. On the way home I told him that I had written the whole thing, and he said "no, you used your computer!" So I said that yes, I had not written it out long-hand, but all the words came out of my head, and he was duly impressed. He kept saying how proud of me he was, and then insisted on showing his grandma and telling her that I wrote that whole thing! It was quite cute.

Anyway, I will be graduating in May, and having a grand party on May 22nd. Everyone I know is invited. I can't believe I'm actually done, and I have no idea what I'm going to do with the degree now that I have it, but whatever! I needed something more to do, right?