GRADUATION

This weekend marked a milestone in my educational journey: GRADUATION! To sum it up, this weekend rocked my face off. It was epic. It started Friday with my parents arriving into town and us dashing off to my convocation at the Performing Arts School. We had a ceremony for all graduates within the School of Education. It was a nice ceremony but a bit bizarre. The actual graduation ceremony, complete with cap and gown, took place on Saturday morning at 10am in the Coliseum. The ceremony only lasted a couple hours and despite being painfully bored at time, I relished hearing my name over the loudspeaker, walking across the stage, shaking President Adams' hand, and turning my tassel. I am now a Master (of Education).

It was wonderful finally being able to show my parents Athens and I think they really enjoyed it and understood why I have fallen in love with this little town. We ate at some amazing restaurants (The National, Porterhouse Grill, 5 & 10), walked through North Campus and around downtown, enjoyed drinks with my cohort at Magnolia's, visited with my supervisor at Trappeze, and I got to show my parents where I have been working the past two years with a tour of the Tate Student Center.

The weather could NOT have been nicer. With a breeze all weekend and the temperatures hovering in the mid 70s, it's been AMAZING.

Getting to spend Mother's Day with mom for the first time in five years was an added bonus to the weekend and I enjoyed celebrating it with her this morning at brunch.

So that's it folks! I started this journey back in August of 2008 and am proud to now have another diploma. This week will be filled with packing, final restaurant visits, and saying goodbye to friends and places that have made my time here in Athens all the more special.

Cheers.