Day 1: The End

Cue this song. Or this one. Whichever one you makes you sadder.

Graduation day finally arrived to as much pomp and circumstance as expected. We were all incredibly grumpy from the all nighter we just pulled, but still sentimental all the same. So instead of falling back into our respective beds, we decided to start our morning (or rather end our night) with a trip to our favorite IHOP.

I was actually fortunate enough to get 2 hours of sleep before grabbing lunch with the fambam! So hopefully I look somewhat refreshed? Or you can at least lie and say I look refreshed! 

It was finally showtime! 4 years later, we were finally called across the stage. Too bad it was 90 degrees that day, because it made me even more haggard. 

Plenty of selfies were taken this day. No shame. In fact, I wish I had a selfie stick. But we all have to act "adult" as soon as we get this fake diploma right? RIGHT???

After all, I am holding a quarter of a million dollars in this single sheet of paper.

 When I say it like that, I think the face in that first selfie above sums it all...

But honestly, what can I say? I've graduated, and now I've finally completed my goal for 50 posts (ok I admit I cheated in the end). It's a strange feeling to say that I'm a college graduate. When people ask, I can no longer default to the same, "I'm a student" response that I've been using for 16 years. I can no longer pretend to be dumb or oblivious, but rather educated and accountable. Eeek, I don't even want to imagine what will happen once work starts. There will be no excuses to hide behind.I have about 2 whole months left. 1 month in Europe, and 1 month at home. Am I ready to take on the real world? Definitely not. But when I think of college, I don't think of how it prepared me (or not...). I think about all the people I connected with, and all the lifelong relationships I made. So if you're reading this, you have had an impact on my life one way or another. Thank you. Thank you for sticking it out with me, whether that be hearing my rants in real life, or reading my rambles online. Now it's time to follow me to San Francisco for my next adventure, so I hope to see you all very soon!

Day 2: Senior Ball

College prom. That's the best way I can describe Senior Ball. It's this uber fancy gala held every year at Union Station for boat loads of money. I mean, it costs a leg and an arm for a ticket, so I expected to be super fancy!

We all got super dolled up, and ready for our close up! Dress shopping started way back in February when we started to get bored in class. Fortunately, I got my dress at one of my favorite stores that has recently closed :(. Hopefully I'll find one in Cali....

This is how I imagine I would look if the Prince and Me actually happened...to you know, me.

But this is how we actually are.

Y came to join the fun!

After dancing the night away, we meandered our way back to bed for a quick nap. The nap was more pleasant for some than others.

We ultimately "ended," or rather stayed up for the sunrise at the National Monument. It was a beautiful affair, and no better way to end with my lifelong friends.

 

Day 3: It's finally begun

Apologies for the prolonged absence. It's all finally over, and I've only now gotten some time to take a collective breath to even process what has happened.

On Thursday, May 14, the festivities finally began! The morning was spent at Y's graduation ceremony where she finally became a Doctor! I now officially have someone to replace WebMD.

Who would have guessed that I would feel like the giant one day?

Doctor in the house!

Unfortunately we weren't able to stay for the whole ceremony because I had to rush to my very own Convocation ceremony 45 minutes away. Yes, 2 ceremonies in one day. Let's just say tensions were incredibly high when I freaked out that I was going to miss my own ceremony. Buuuut, I may have overreacted just a teensy bit. 

Here I am ecstatic that I made it just in time, with Bae nonetheless! This was the first time in our gowns since freshman year, and they still look like trashbags.   

My family away from home. Obviously a photoshoot was necessary.  

And of course my real family (minus Doctor Y) who physically and mentally supported me through it all!

Days 6,5,4: It's finally begun!

It's been such a hectic few days that I barely have time to write, but I'll always have time for a photo dump :)

Days 9, 8, 7: A Game of Numbers

It's been a hectic few days. In the past three days I've traveled over 300 miles, slept in 3 different beds, drove 2 different cars, hopped on 1 boat, and walked over 40,000 steps. And finally, I am updating my blog.

Do I feel somewhat deflated knowing that I didn't hold my promise? Yes. But honestly, I just don't have the energy to do it any other way. I don't know how I'm going to travel Europe, but it's going to happen somehow...

So to bring things up to date, this past weekend I went to an intimate wedding at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. It was a quiet affair, but exciting nonetheless!

The bride and groom rented out two beautiful houses that we stayed in. I told you it was intimate!

Charlie had a blast meeting new friends.

#tbt I went to a middle school dance. 

While also catching up with some old friends on a boat cruise! 

Day 10: Best Views on Campus

If I needed another reminder about my prime location, then today was it.

Today, on the 70th anniversary of VE day, dozens of old WWII aircrafts flew across DC. It was an amazing sight to see, but even better, I didn't even need to leave my apartment complex.

Day 11: My New Companion

A few days ago I finally bit the dust and ordered a Fitbit. I was so excited for this object to come that I felt like a child waiting for Christmas morning. I was eyeing the tracking number every day, itching to try out my new toy. And behold, it finally arrived a few days later!

So far, I'm definitely enjoying my experience with it. I'm obsessed with how many steps I take a day, and how I can walk just a bit more to increase my number. Today, I wanted to reach 20,000 steps so I walked a friend home just for the sake of it (Unusual on my behalf!)

The stat that I like to look at the most is my active moments. It shows how many steps I've taken and when. 

The other night, when I didn't quite remember walking home (don't ask), my trusty Fitbit remembered for me. So, I guess I'll never be quite alone!