What just happened?!

So I'm graduating soon. I know because everyone keeps reminding me, not so much because it's on my mind. Apparently I'm fixated on exactly two weeks after the graduation date, which naturally means that the end of school has seriously snuck up on me. I had a sort of "aha" moment as I was walking down the hall at school today and realized that my Kogod days were numbered. It's a staggering thought, and it leaves me feeling all sorts of emotions. I have no intentions of pursuing another degree after this one, which means I'm about to enter into my last finals week. Ever. Today I had my last Derivatives class. Ever. Monday is my last graduate class. Ever. How did this time come so quickly?

Of course, I'm excited about this accomplishment. It's been a long, grueling lesson on time management and how to play well with others, and it feels good to finish something I've worked so hard at. I honestly feel like grad school is the best investment I've ever made, and of course it's exhilarating to reach the pinnacle of said investment.

But it also means that it's almost time for another transition.

I like school. I think I'm pretty good at school. I've grown quite comfortable with my current circumstances and acquaintances as a student. I love the constant flow of new and different information that keeps my brain from atrophy. As I sat in class tonight, I was consciously trying to savor whatever last vestiges of wisdom I could glean from my brilliant professor. I feel in my element when I'm roaming the halls of Kogod, and I'll always retain a high level of gratitude for what I have gained from this school.

I don't like change. I know it's good for me and whatever, but that doesn't make it any less unpleasant. It's like moving from the top of one ladder to the bottom rung of another. When I was younger, I was much better at doing things that absolutely freaked me out on a regular basis - like leaving home for college, living in Spain, moving to DC - because I knew it would help me to grow. But after I got to DC and life became a little more stable, I slowed down a bit on the freak-out activities. School has upped the frequency a little, but I'm still feeling a little rusty. (In case you're wondering, I'm not referring here to change of a marital nature. Like I mentioned, I think about that change so much that I forget about my own graduation.) Now, I've been "career girl" before, and I know it has its perks too. I'm just suddenly not in such a hurry to get back there. I'd like to spend a little more time in warm and cozy academia, rather than venture out into the big, bad, menacing real world.

But you know what? Every one of those freak-out transitions had their growing pains, but then they became something beautiful. I just had to acclimate and start climbing that ladder.

I guess that means all I have left to do is figure out which ladder it's going to be...

Tribute

I was chatting with Princess the other day, and I realized what an amazing feat she is about to accomplish. I know I've got a lot on my plate and whatever this semester, but as long as I'm careful with my time, I can manage alright.

Let's talk about Princess.

Princess actually played a pivotal role in my return to school. If left to my own devices, I almost definitely would have put it off for at least another semester - if not indefinitely. But Princess would have none of it. She bullied me into finishing my application right before the deadline, which has drastically affected the direction my life has taken over the last two years and given a serious boost to my confidence, self-awareness, and personal development. For that, I am grateful.

But I digress. Back to Princess.

She's in law school. She started the same time I started business school. From what I understand, law school is HARD even if you're just taking the typical load. But Princess is made of tougher stuff. Girl's taking 19.5 credits this semester, because she wants to graduate early. 19.5! Credits! Of law school! I don't know what a typical load is, but for me it starts to get a little hairy once you pass 12. I imagine it's similar for law.

So does she spend her life stuck in the library, buried in books and papers? Nope! Look at all the fun she manages to have! Adventure finds her wherever she goes. It's actually made me jealous on numerous occasions since she left DC and keeps having adventures without me.

Her finals are this week, and she's still managed to call me for a chat - on more than one occasion. The last time we talked, she had to cut the conversation short because she didn't want to be late for her water polo tournament. I don't know how she does it. But even more than that, I don't know how she can say that she doesn't know how I do it.

But what I do know is that I'm excited for her to finish with those finals so she can get out here for a month of play interning.

Cheers to Princess!

On the move...

Last weekend I vacated what was my place of residence for the past 5 years.

A moment of silence to reminisce and commemorate the end of an era, please.

my old room before the move...


...during... (yes, it's true that I slept in a sleeping bag on my bare mattress on the last night)

...and after. Weird. I'm glad I won't be around when the landlord paints my walls back to boring bone white.

It's going to take me awhile to wrap my mind around not living there. It feels very surreal to not be living with those girls. We've been telling everyone that the house imploded on its own awesomeness.

But on the plus side, I get fabulous sunset views from my room in my new humble abode. And it will be David's humble abode too, come June.

That's happy.

Everyone in my house moved out and didn't replace ourselves, which meant we also had to move out at least a decade of other girls' belongings that had been left behind as people have cycled through this house. Foutons, linens, bikes, cabinets, rugs, kitchen utensils, appliances, and lots and lots of other little (or not-so-little) knickknacks. I think we just singlehandedly kept Goodwill fully stocked for about a month.

As you can imagine, five years of buildup has left me with plenty of stuff too. (Granted, this isn't all mine...but you get the idea.)

All 15 members of Team Move joined forces for a flurry of loading, unloading, scrubbing, sweeping, raking, and emptying. It was a humbling reminder of what awesome friends I have.

Goodbye, 22206. I'll miss most things about you.

Hello, 22202. I'm excited to get to know you.

In other news...it's Cherry Blossom Festival time!! David and I got up extra-early one day this week to catch the beauty and beat the crowds. Beauty, check. Lack of crowds...not so much. Ah well, still totally worth it.

Happy Easter/Conference weekend!