I'm a Big Girl Now!

As I previous mentioned, we've had a lot going on in our lives. While the passing of my grandpa was painful, we have had some happy occasions recently. One of those occasions being my graduation.
After six years of full time school and full time work, I can finally be done with one...for now.

I graduated with my degree in Psychology. I can say I started out in Psy and finished in Psy. I love learning about it and I do plan on going back in a years time to get my master in either I/O Psy or my MFT (Marriage and Family Therapy License). We shall see as I do more research in both ares.

I am so proud to say that my high school friend is one of the leading students in our psy program and he was asked a great honor to carry our banner. He is going on to get his doctorate and I couldn't be prouder of him.

It was pretty easy to spot me...yes that is a Johnny Cupcake logo. I got so many compliments :)

As you can see, I was pretty excited...
Oh ya baby! It felt so good to walk across that stage...and to think...I almost didn't want to do the commencement ceremony... The day before I visited my grandpa in the hospital (this was before his passing). He has always been a stickler for education. All my life I can remember him pounding into me that I had to go to college and get my education. I didn't appreciate it at the time but now that I look back at it, I'm so glad he did. My grandfather couldn't make it to my ceremony and I know it ate him up. He told me the day before to think about him as I went across that stage and accepted my diploma...and I did. I shouted to my family as I walked by them that I was thinking of him and it was a difficult moment but I know he was so proud of me.

Afterwards I had a fun time goofing off with my bestie!

I worked hard for this degree, working and going to school sucked. I was determined to do it and I did it. But I can't take all the credit, some important people helped me get to where I am today.

My bestie! I can't imagine anyone being a better friend to me. I see us as sisters and am so grateful she was always there to keep me in line and to be happy for me. She is my second breath of life...

Next is my touch-stone. My baby sister. If you can remember, we've had some difficult times. But her determination has always been an inspiration to me. I can't believe how much I've learned from her.

My parents have also been a guiding light. I have always done what I wanted to do. Even if they didn't agree with what I had planned for myself, they've always supported me. I am a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to my parents, and it might seem silly and irrational but one of my main goals in life is to make them proud of me...everything I do, I do it in hopes that it will make them happy and proud.

Lastly is my rock. Mr. Bumblebee has put almost as much blood, sweat, and tears into my degree as I have. Late nights of stress and panic, to early morning temper tantrums...the man has dealt with it all and God bless him still finds it in his heart to love me. As I sat listening to our speakers, I would look over and see him smiling from ear to ear with that smile I've fallen in love with over and over again. I'm so glad that he was by my side.

Lastly, Cal State Long Beach is know as an art museum with no walls. There is art all over campus and even our fountains are designed by artists. This is a main center in the school and I remember when I first applied to the school, the postcard it sent me had girls posing in the fountain with their grad gear on and I told myself...that will be me...

and now it is...