Turned my tassel today!

Today I Graduated! It was awesome! I'm so glad I went through the ceremony, even this morning I was wondering why I was bothering with it, and I'm so glad I did. It felt great!

Had to be there to check in between 8am - 8:45... Graduation started promptly at 9am. It was at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, which is about 55 miles away. We left at 7:30... half an hour behind the time we wanted to leave, but we really aren't morning people. Keith drove like a madman and traffic wasn't too bad, we got to the exit lane at 8:20... plenty of time!

Not! It would be plenty of time, except.... this is California!

From the time we got in line for the exit to the time we got parked (about 2 miles) it took over an hour and a half. Got to the venue at 10am!!! :shock: By then of course, I had given up hope of being able to walk across the dais, but Keith said we'd watch the last half and take a few pics afterward. So he said to bring my cap and gown in anyway for after. I tossed it on the stroller and was pretty bummed.

We walked a long long long ways to the entrance and when we walked past the empty table where the grads checked in, I jokingly said to the guy there, haha, I'm a graduate, am I very late? He joked, haha, yeah, about an hour an a half! It's now 10:30. Then he said, they just started calling the grads across the stage, you can make it, I'll escort you. Seriously?? OMG! Yippee! So I put on my cap and gown real quick and got my name card and the guy escorted me to the seating area and another guy took me from there to the back row of grads. Slick as snot!

There were about 1000 grads and they don't rapid fire the names off like the high school does, so it took a long time before my row got up. I saw the escort bring two or three more graduates in after me and he stuck them in the row behind me. Wow, I wasn't the only one late! I figured the mile of cars behind us was all audience, but there were a few stragglers even after me. In fact, I sat there for so long that I had time to get to know the guy next to me. He was a Sociology grad who took a job as an elementary school custodian. The economy is bad, we agreed we need a masters to get hired in our fields. Till then, the stay-at-home-mom and the janitor made pleasant conversation about the morning fog and the crazy noisy crowd and we tried to spot who had on the highest heels.

All this time, Keith and Libby were up in the grandstands having a good time. Well, I assume they had a good time, but really I can only speculate. Keith said he bounced her on his knee and when he'd stop she'd kick for more, by the end, his leg was really tired.

I shook a whole bunch of hands as I walked across the platform, no idea who they were. College Prez, Dept Heads, etc. As I came off the platform and walked past the teachers, several of them hopped up and shook hands or hugged me. Swine flu, Ha! So much for that precautionary email saying there would be NO shaking of hands at graduation due to the swine flu. They did have big squirty jugs of germ killing gel right as you went up the stairs to the germ-infested handshakers.

Anyway, I loved that the teachers were there and they were so excited to see their students walk by. My Sacred Texts teacher (I also took British Lit and Shakespeare from her) hugged me and said "Congratulations and I want one more paper from you!" She wasn't kidding, I have to write a paper this weekend. The head librarian jumped out of her seat and hugged me. Said she'd miss me. Yeah, I know, she'll miss my overdue library fines. I think I've paid for a new wing of the library all by myself. Which reminds me, I have four library books sitting here that need to go back, with accompanying fee of course.

Congratulated and hugged my friends. It was great to see them so happy and excited! I usually see them stressed and overloaded with books and deadlines. What a difference a free spirited smile makes!

I now have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature and Writing from California State University San Marcos. (tosses cap in the air)

Keith and I stopped for a celebratory lunch before coming home. We ate at El Torrito, kind of appropriate since he says I took college by the horns. More excitement at lunch! We gave Libby a taste of refried beans and she didn't hate them! She wasn't thrilled, but she did eat some and kept opening her mouth for more! We didn't see the horrified ick face and she didn't gag and hurl from licking the spoon! Score! The waitress said she must have some Mexican blood. We agree! Our little refried bean! We're very excited that she ate, even if it was just a few licks. Good girl, Libby!

So, that was my graduation day. Late, foggy, and awesome!