Bubble No. 36: I’s a Graduate!

     …having reached an important "mill-stone" in my life. *is still laughing about that* One of the speakers was trying to say "milestone" but, needless to say from the hilarity…it didn’t work out that way.

     This actually has been a truly, deep-down satisfying day. I can’t explain it…it wasn’t "shrieking with joy" kind of satisfying, but…I felt good through and through, all over. There wasn’t a moment when I wished I could be elsewhere, and I didn’t mind being the center of attention. (As odd as it may sound, I really don’t like being the center of strong-emotion attention with a lot of people. Makes me uncomfortable…which is why I’ll crack horrible jokes every three minutes.) This was truly an accomplishment, something I’ve worked terribly hard to achieve, and I’m proud of it.

     I really couldn’t have done it alone, though. Five years of insane work, screwing up, falling down and getting back up to try again means I needed a lot of back-up. My parents deserve the lion’s share of the thanks. The financial support, the emotional support…knowing they were always in my corner, rooting for me to go for it, never saying "maybe I should try a different major" or "had I thought about doing this instead?" I really couldn’t have done it without my parents. My brother and sister-in-law were always there, too. I could call or email them any time to talk, just to blow off steam, hear some "I love yous" and laugh. My family has never, ever done anything but stand behind me all the way, and I love them for that and so much more.

     I couldn’t have done it without Ripper and his family, too. Although we broke up, it wasn’t until earlier this semester, and he gave me a much-needed kick to the ass when I was slacking. Honestly, without him standing behind me, I couldn’t have done it. We may not be together anymore, and we’re both moving on with our lives, but I do have to thank him for the support and urgings, for listening to me bitch and helping me work on projects and making me study. Raven is and always will be a second mom to me, letting me practically live in her house, use her computers, game systems, TV…everything else. She was always a source of helpful conversation, loving support and some really great jokes. I love you, Raven-Mom, and the other boys too. Laughter helped keep me somewhat sane, and without Nightmare and the Lit’l Guy, I wouldn’t have laughed nearly as much. (And L, too…provided some amusement, theories, and interesting conversation.)

     I really do have to thank my boss.  That poor man has put up with SO much hell from me, especially during finals and midterms. I don’t know why I get away with so much there, but I do…and he’s been remarkably tolerant of my moods. (He and his family gave me a massive box of bubble wrap for graduation; that is SO awesome!)

     Needless to say, I’ve made out like a bandit. *giggling* I got a car. Granted, it’s not going to be running the Indy 500 any time soon, and it needs a paint job, AC and *curses* a damn CD player (!!) but it’s MINE. Not to mention Barnes & Nobel gift cards (which is what I’d asked for) and something that is truly beautiful. My brother and his best friend, Bob, made a set of –beautiful– steel butterfly wall hangings for me…from scratch. Literally. They saw a tattoo design and liked it, so they had the designer draw it on paper, they blew it up, put it on manila envelope, cut that out and made me these gorgeous wall hangings out of steel. They’d been working on it for a MONTH. I LOVE them. (They are SO going up on my wall.) My aunt, parents, brother and sister-in-law, as well as my boss and his family, Raven and Nightmare, Carpenter and Ibu, as well as my lovable Wolfskin were all there today to watch me get my "certificate of  participation" and all of them have my most heartfelt thanks. *hugs to all*

     I didn’t do it alone, because I couldn’t have, but all of you gave me so much, I had enough to finish. Thanks.