Officially Yours

From Aug 29, 2009

So, I’m officially too old to really party.  I say this on the day of my graduation pig roast. Did I mention it’s a two day party?

Landon stayed up all night, cooking the pig (bless him, I have the most awesomest man in the planet!), and I stayed up until two with him, enjoying his and Raine and Les’ company.   Sober.

Then I went to bed, slept for three point five hours, was awake for an hour, and then slept one more hour.

I’m too old for that crap!!!  Ha!

I remember the days (sort of) where I would stay up all night, consuming copious amounts of alcohol (and I mean copious), and then function the next day.  Yesterday, I had one point five Coronas, and had a little buzz.

Now, I am waking up (thank goddess for coffee, though I imagine in an hour I’m going to have anxiety from one  silly (probably half) cup), and will next finish cleaning the house.  People are supposed to begin to arrive in three hours.  Weeee!!!

It’s also official that I graduated.  Luckily, I was smart enough throughout the years to save all of my “letters of accomplishment.”  This means I can boldly slide those muthas into the diploma casing so that while it sits out on the kitchen island, passers by can peruse a Real Live (okay, it’s not that alive) College Diploma and simultaneously read the letters where they say how cool I am.  As if ya’ll didn’t already know!  *wink*

Yes, humble, I know.  I never claimed to be.  I do *try*.  But you know what?  I’m throwing a graduation party in my honor (disguised as though it’s Landon throwing the party).   I *should* be proud, though.  I busted my ASS for the last sixish years.  It was soooo difficult for me, too.  I recall all of the blog posts I wrote about being exhausted– both mentally and physically.  I remember wondering if it would ever end– and if I’d actually ever reach my goals.   And you know what, I DID reach them.   And I did it well.

And I didn’t just let life pass me by while I was doing it, either.  I went through so many different phases… and boyfriends… and series of growth periods.  And growth periods are hard.  Don’t let anyone tell you to expect them not to be.

Please behold, for your viewing pleasure, pictures of me and Amber one day after her mastectomy.   She looks happy, doesn’t she!?  Hee hee.  It’s just the morphine.  She won’t remember I even visited her by the next day!  But still.   I love me some Amber, and I’m THRILLED that she was the first person to see my diploma.   She’s been with me throughout this roller coaster I call life– for a huge part of this degree.  And she totally egged me on the entire time.  Love her.

So, some advice for all of you college students:

First, go to class.  I know, it seems so pointless some days.  Especially if you’re of the alcohol-consuming persuasion.   However, it’s worth it.  And if you go with a clear head, you’ll likely have very little studying to do.   Unless it’s Chemistry anything class.  Because Organic Chemistry technically requires studying, and I didn’t, which is why I just barely passed those classes.  Of course, it couldn’t have had anything to do with me having a crazy new family, at all.  *wink*  That’s beside the point entirely.

Second, figure out the teacher’s grading criteria early on in the class.  If you know where the “points” come from, it’s easy to figure out how to study.   I know I just told you I didn’t really study.  It’s mostly true.  But there were always hours upon hours where I DID study.   I just studied smarter the last three years of my degree.   Also, don’t procrastinate.  You’ll regret it.

Third, down time is AS important as study time.   And down time doesn’t translate into social time, which is also important but less so.   Down time doesn’t translate into drunk time, or parenting time, or work time, or laundry time.  It means that you simply allow yourself to BE.  I know, you’re busy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make time for down time.  If you don’t, you’ll end up having to take it when it’s least desirable.   Don’t do that to yourself.

Fourth, make lists.   Keep a day planner.   Be a geek like that.  Seriously.

Finally, social time is supposed to feel good.   You’re already packed to the gills with Things To Do.   Don’t waste your social time on drama.

And that’s it.  I’m official!