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The family has all headed back home and I'm trying to get back to a normal life here in the City. Today, I actually just slept in and lazed around for most of the day. I ran a couple of errands and had some dinner. I hope to start going through my graduation pictures tonight and I'll have a link tomorrow. However, you'll need a Flickr.com account. So if you don't have one and you want to see the pics, you should, um, get one ;) Have a good night! Jenn posted at 9:41 PM | |
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And sometimes it gives you a third chance. And a fourth one before you really get it right. I graduated from college yesterday. I now hold a Bachelor's degree in history with a minor in political science from State. You have no idea how good it feels to see that written down. As most of you who have known me for a long, long time know, there was a time, when no one, especially not me, thought that this day would come. I was floundering. I was depressed. I wasn't going to class. But I made turns and choices and split second decisions that have changed the course of my life. I sat in a room yesterday surrounded by almost all of the people that I love the most and it was amazing to have that kind of support. Yesterday's commencement speaker posed a question to us graduates - "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?" For me, the question is a little different. I know that I can fail - I have the transcripts to prove it. So really, the question for me is, "If you fail, what will you do next?" Failure teaches us a lot and I know that I would not appreciate the life I live today if I hadn't gone through hell for all those years. It's not about thinking you won't fail, it's about thinking what you will do after you fail. That's what will define you and the decisions in your life. It has been an amazing journey and I am so excited to see what happens next. Jenn posted at 9:40 PM | |
As I sat at the bar table at Chevy's last night, surrounded by some of my closest friends, toasting everyone and everything, I realized just how lucky I am and how good it feels to be happy. On Saturday, I will have lived in California for five years. It has been an amazing journey and I have to say, that if all the bad days, horrible bosses and sweltering summer days lead me to this place with these people, then it was all worth it.
It took me seven years, but I am graduating from college on Saturday. It took me five years, but I found a school and a support system that actually engaged me and made me understand why everyone loves college so much. I am graduating three years later than I originally thought I would, but if I had done it any differently, I would have met K and B and D and C and my experience wouldn't have been as fulfilling, as rich, as wonderful. It was worth every one of those days that I hated my life, hated school, hated being lonely because every one of those days led me to this place that I love so much. I don't know how much I believe in fate - but whatever brought me here, it was the best turn I've made in my life so far. Jenn posted at 12:48 PM | |
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I have now completing the paper writing requirements for my undergraduate degree. My economic development, regionalism and intergovernmental relations case study on the Washington-Baltimore Regional Coalition to bid on the 2012 Summer Olympic Games is done. I actually wrote more than minimum number of pages for this paper, further solidifying my notion that I truly am a political science person, not a history person. I guess the end of my undergraduate career is probably not the best time to figure that out, but hey, at least I know! I found a fabulous apartment over the weekend and I am submitting an application this afternoon, but there's been lots of interest, so who knows if I'll get it. I have plenty of time (well as of now anyway) to find a new place, but this one was just too awesome not to apply for. Now that I am done and the printer is humming, I have to do laundry and bake blueberry muffins for my class tonight. I have six and half hours to get both done, which should be enough time, but you never know. Wish me luck! Jenn posted at 3:04 PM | |
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Now this is my time I'm going to make this moment mine. (I shouldn't have wasted those days) I'll take what you give me. Please know that I'm learning I've looked in the mirror My world's getting clearer So wait for me this time "Time" by Chantal Kreviazuk I have about 11 pages of the 15 pages I need for my IGR paper and I'm stopping for tonight. I think it's enough for Prof C to tell me whether the paper works or not - let's hope it works because my weekend is quickly jamming up with extra things that need to get done before the family comes next week. Watching the series finales of all these shows that I've been watching since I started college has really affected me this week. It's hard to believe, but I'm really graduating from college after all these years. I was just starting to get good at this college thing and now it's over. I can really empathize with these actors in the retrospectives who are having a hard time letting go of their comfort zones, their home away from home that they have had with them for so long. I've only been here for two years, but it feels like forever (in the good way). I know that I won't lose the friends I've made here and the relationships that I cherish, but everything is going to shift in the next But I want to be. Jenn posted at 3:45 AM | |
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Time goes by fast Got my memories And they will last I try to keep it simple Cause I hate goodbyes I try to keep it simple By telling myself [Chorus] That I, I will remember you And all of the things that we've gone through There is so much I could say But words get in the way So, if we're not together I will remember you I will remember you We're a picture In my mind And when I want to find you I just close my eyes You'll never be that far from me So don't say goodbye Cause you'll never be that far from me I'm telling myself [Chorus] You were there when I needed a friend Thank you, thank you I never told you How much that meant Yeah thank you, thank you I will remember you And all of the things that we've gone through There is so much I could say But words get in the way [Chorus] I will remember you "I Will Remember You" by Ryan Cabrera Jenn posted at 12:02 AM | |
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I slept in today, a bit longer than I probably should have, but I really needed it. By this point next week, my family will be somewhere over Nevada - crazy, but true! The Giants made my day by sticking it to the Astros, 14-3! Just fabulous! I have about three pages of my 15-page paper for IGR written. I'm knitting right now, but I'm hoping to get some more work done tonight before I see Prof C tomorrow. After this paper, I have one final and then graduation, baby! I got my cap and gown yesterday - whoohoo! Grad announcements went in the mail this afternoon. Only 11 days to go ;) Jenn posted at 1:02 AM | |
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I am finally home after an exceedingly long day. The details are too mundane to bore you with, but I'll summarize in bulletpoints:
But it's okay. I got to change clothes three times and have blisters on my feet because I forgot to pack different shoes to change into. Excuse me while I go knit until I fall asleep. Jenn posted at 2:30 AM | |
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It's the perfect day, Tomorrow's gonna come too soon I could stay, forever as I am On this perfect day "Perfect Day" by Hoku The digital thermometer on the GiftCenter read 94 degrees as I drove to Oakland this afternoon. I actually had to come home and change into shorts because I was just too hot wearing jeans! For those of you back East, you are probably wondering why this is so exciting, but we never get weather like this! I did some shopping and driving around and just generally enjoying life in the Bay Area today. It was time that I should have spent reading for Prof C's class, but I think he'll have to forgive me just this once. Besides, I have to read all of these articles for my paper that's due next week, so I'll be done reading one way or another. I have addressed almost of my graduation announcements. I am very close to being finished with a special graduation gift. I have finished my paper for my proseminar. There is one paper and one final that stands between me and graduation. Life. Is. Good. Jenn posted at 9:43 PM | |
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I'm on page 15 of 18 and feeling pretty good. I want to be finished with this draft in the next couple of hours, so I can have a relaxing evening of addressing graduation announcements and knitting. I know, I know - I'm living the high life here in the City. The Giants just came back from 3 runs down in the bottom of the 9th to win against the Dodgers! Though football is my sport of choice, I've come to adopt baseball as my secondary love. Since both C and K are obsessed Giants fans, it pays to watch the game and know what's going on. And games like the one this afternoon really explain why people love this sport. I was on the edge of the couch, watching the Giants come from behind to win and I'm sure my neighbors knew what I was watching as I screamed for Vizquiel's sac fly that brought in the winning run. The Dodgers and Giants are tied for this series and whoever wins tomorrow, not only wins the series between the rivals but also gets out of last place for which they are tied. Man, I'm on such a baseball high, I may even watch the Braves-Nationals game on TBS when it comes on in fifteen minutes. I don't usually like to watch games on television because they move too slowly for me, but I've found that they are great ambient noise for writing papers. Jenn posted at 6:45 PM | |
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Well, I have twice as many "real" pages written right now as I did when I went to bed yesterday, so that feels pretty good. I still have about five pages to go to get to the minimum of the required amount, but Page 13 is good to see in any case. I actually got up, got ready and got to campus on time today. In fact, I was about fifteen minutes early. I had to time to take back the books I have decided I don't need for this paper (about 10 of them). I got to class before most of my classmates for once and quietly found a seat. Then at 12:15, Prof K came in to announce that he had larengytis and wouldn't be able to lecture. I dunno why there wasn't a sign up outside the classroom that class was cancelled, but whatever. I called KB and we actually chatted for about two minutes before he had to go. One of these days, I hope we can actually catch up because there is way too much TV and life stuff to talk about. I ran into C on my way to the car and we chatted for a few minutes about some stuff that he is working for me. He loaded on the guilt about his commute, but it made me laugh nonetheless. I headed down to Hallmark to pick up cards for the various Moms I need to send cards to. C called my cell to let me know that his meeting had been cancelled, but they had told him I was getting an interview for the internship. Monday is going to be a crazy day - no joke! Jenn posted at 11:14 PM | |
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Oh, I *so* hope this is true! Some big plans for your future just got finalized -- you're excited, and you should be. Ride this feeling for as long as you can, but don't forget the benefit of living in the moment. Fretting about the demands of tomorrow is a big waste of time. Instead, be grateful for what you have and for what you can count on. People have come and gone in your life -- look to those who have stuck around and shoot them a sweet, gushy email to let them know they're important to you. Jenn posted at 4:29 AM | |
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Bipartisan Team Introduces Voting Rights Bill: Bill Would Give One Full Vote in Congress to D.C., Utah This is intriguing to me, if only because 437 would be such a weird number for the House. I guess it's no weirder than 435, but I'm just used to that. I am in full paper-writing mode. Thanks to Katie for her suggestion - it's something that I've tried in the past and I don't know why it hadn't occured to me for this paper. I'm well into my second page now of actual writing (the first two pages from the last post have been scrapped) and I feel good about where this is going. That's not to say that there won't be a block sometime this afternoon, but I feel good at this point. Of course, it may be because I'm munching on C's homemade ginger snaps while writing. It's a bit annoying that not only is C smart, funny and sweet, but he can also bake cookies - but I guess as long as I get to share in the cookie goodness, I'll let it pass ;) I woke up with a migraine, but I'm not letting it stop me. I did let it make me sleep in a bit more than I wanted to, but I'm trying to make up for it now. Here's hoping for a full draft done by the time The Office comes on tonight! Jenn posted at 3:43 PM | |
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I have a 20 page paper due on Monday and I am totally blocked. I have about two pages written right now and I just have lost direction completely. I don't have any idea what I'm even trying to write about. I hate this. I *so* just want to be done with this stupid paper. If I can get past this paper, I feel like I can tackle my IGR paper and I'll be done writing academically for a long while. I'm taking a break for tonight and meeting with my prof tomorrow - hopefully those two things will help me write when I get home tomorrow night. Just a draft would be an improvement at this point. Jenn posted at 1:58 AM | |
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The Giants game is on and D is over, studying with K and B on their way in a bit. I have finished two of my four term papers for the semester and it feels really good. Of course, they were the two easiest (and shortest) papers, but done is beautiful in my book. Now I am free to stress about my proseminar paper for the rest of the week. The new plan is to write 3-4 pages a day until it's finished and then I can edit over the weekend. We shall see how well this plan holds up as the week progresses. Edited to add my appropriate horoscope: Jenn posted at 8:45 PM | |
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It's another serious, paper-writing weekend at Casa Jenn. I have one book review due on Monday and I'm hoping to get some sort of draft of my history paper written for Monday afternoon as well. Prof R is having office hours since we aren't having class and it would be nice to know before I turn it in for 50% of my grade if I'm on the right track with this bear of a paper or not. Although if I'm not, I'm not sure a week will be enough time to fix it - but at least I'll know ;) What do you think? Is it true? Jenn posted at 6:33 PM | |
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Yesterday went pretty well, except for the fact that I was dressed for summer and the weather was very much winter ;) I got in a good run (though my body doesn't seem to be agreeing with me today), watch a good basketball game and got some of my book read for the paper that's due on Monday. Of course, the boys lost the basketball game, but it's all good. And in light of a conversation I had yesterday, I give you this quiz ;)
Jenn posted at 6:58 PM | |
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This morning started with me waking up at 7:45 with no alarm. My one day to sleep in and I'm up at the same time as yesterday. Go figure! I've struggled with a headache all afternoon, but I'm almost done with my internship paper. I found a good little 'thank you' gift for Prof N in a catalog that came today. I'm getting closer to done on the blanket I'm knitting. So, not as productive as I would have liked for today, but I'm not beating myself up about it. I'm trying to be zen about these next three weeks because stress is eating me alive. We'll see how that works out for me. Jenn posted at 12:46 AM | |
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If you watched The Daily Show tonight, the author, Matthew Continetti, was a classmate of mine in high school. Not only was he a member of my graduating class, but I sat next to him in English class several years during our LB years. I'm sitting here in shock, awe and extreme jealousy. I was going to write about my day, but this just takes the cake. Rock on Matt! Jenn posted at 2:23 AM | |