GRADUATION

It’s been busy around here. Maya had finals, and then we had the graduation. I had family coming into town for the graduation, which made me think, “why not have a party?” So we did. I thought perhaps we would have 20 people, but it turned out to be about 50 people. I am a planner, so my brain gets going and annoys me with its desire to GET THINGS DONE. I planned food for 50, seating for 60 (figuring that people might want to spread out a bit, and what if extra people came, etc.). Planning meals before, who will stay where, how will we get from point A to point B, my brain races. The very happy news is that the big weekend come and went and all went well. My family came to town, including three cousins from Southern California, my step mom from Portland, one of my sisters and her family from Portland, my brother and his wife from Alaska. Friends were there, including one friend from Pennsylvania (she came in the week prior to the graduation, due to other family committments the weekend of graduation), one from Texas, and many who were more local. It felt like a wedding, in that so many people were there, you love them all and want to see them, but you are SO busy and have to figure that out. So I saw some friends and family, mostly ignored others, and had a great time.

The ceremony was lovely. I cried, a lot. It was just the ceremony for the English department, so only about 250 students. The weather was good, sunny but not too hot. I cried my eyes out when the kids came on stage. It was amazing, thinking of all the students have done, all that we parents have done, to get here today.

The party went well. Ted’s aunt, uncle, cousin, and her fiancé worked their butts off getting things ready, stringing lights, arranging food and drinks and ice, just taking care of everything. We were SO grateful to them and all that they did for us. The food was good, though there was too much. I expected 50 people and ordered for 50 people, but could likely have ordered for 40, as there was far too much. And we were having a windy cold snap, so everyone wanted to go inside and be warm. But, on the plus side, we saw family and friends we haven’t seen in awhile, there was plenty of deliciou food, and it didn’t rain, and it wasn’t horribly hot. It was great.

The day after graduation, I had to run off to Vegas for work for a week. Perhaps I will write something about that, but who knows. Anyway, we are home now, planning and finals and so on is finished. Next, our vacation to France! Yay@