#8: Get a graduate degree

Hooded n' tassled.
Maybe that should be the title of a rap song?

I GRADUATED!!!


First up, though: recognition on my part that it's been a long-ass time since I've posted a blog entry. In addition to graduating, there were also a LOT of pre-graduation celebrations and general cavorting. Like, two weeks of it. Then, almost immediately after graduation, I headed to Paris (blog entry to come) and then made quick stops in NYC, DC and Maryland before heading back to the Arb. So here we are!


So, this entry on my list was one of two "freebies" I gave myself (the other being wedding officiating) -- meaning it was something I knew was going to happen, but wanted to recognize and include anyway.


What an amazing weekend it was. My parents arrived the Thursday before, and that evening we did a lovely, tame dinner at Mercy's at the Bell Tower Hotel, after which they dropped Kate and I -- in their Toyota Sienna minivan -- at Rick's (also, can we talk about how "The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers is the music on Rick's homepage?!) for a lovely, not-quite-as-tame evening of drinks and fun with friends. Friday night was a fantastic dinner at the Quarter Bistro with my parents and my second set of parents. And then Saturday was the big day -- rainy, but fantastic just the same. I think I basically blacked out when they called my name and I walked across the stage because I don't remember much, but there are photos and witnesses that can verify.

Graduation shoes!

Saturday night to celebrate, Josh, Ariel, Ilana -- also fellow graduates -- and I hosted a backyard BBQ at Ilana and Ari's place, which was by all accounts a fabulous success. We had all the trappings of a good time: ridiculous amounts of food (including 80+ Chicago-style hot dogs, straight from Chicago), Jello shots, flip cup, a fire pit with s'mores, bumpin' beatz, kitchen dance parties, and great friends and family. Hell, my MOM took a Jello shot -- her first! -- so you know it was a good time. 


It still hasn't sunk in that I've actually graduated, despite the fact that I've been in Ann Arbor this whole week and the closest I've come to campus was a lunchtime trip to Sadako on South U. I think I'm okay with living in this weird half-reality for now though, where alarms don't need to be set and laying out reading old US Weekly's is totally acceptable Monday afternoon behavior. 


With all this time, I should be better about updating my list, too! Next up, my post (or perhaps posts plural) about Paris before I depart on my southern road trip (#2). Stay tuned!