Graduation and Bye Bye Tally

I don't even know what to say, but I'll do my best here.

On Friday, May 1st I graduated with my Master of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Florida State University. I also moved away from Tallahassee, leaving memories and special people behind.

The blur of the past two weeks...

After a long working weekend, spending a lot of study time with my pip in various locations I birthed my research paper in the wee hours of Sunday, April 19. That was the last assignment for my Directed Individual Study on the American Community College.

I immediately began working on my portion of the paper/presentation for our capstone course, Program Financial Management... but I was able to relax a little bit... so I broke the blog ice (as you may have seen). My group presented our project Thursday night, April 23 and then I was done and DONE with all of my coursework.

All I had left to do was clean out my desk at work, write my self-evaluation... and finish packing up my apartment. Pif and I drove a carload to my parent's house in GA on Friday. She said I looked like I was running away from an abusive husband the way I had what looked like ALL of my belongings stuffed into Carmen (my car). Sunday morning I woke up SICK, drove back to Florida that afternoon, went to the Doctor on Monday to find out that I had a Upper Respiratory Infection. I felt so bad Monday through Wednesday that I went to work around noon and could only stay for a couple of hours before needing to get back in the bed. I rarely get sick, but when I experience the ending of a HUGE wave of stress and my body feels like it can chill... it lets me have it with whatever infection it has been fighting all along.

In the midst of being sick, I thought about packing and I went about the business of trying to schedule 'appointments' with people I wanted to see before leaving Tallahassee. On Tuesday night I got offered an on-campus interview for the position I truly want. I don't know yet that God wants me to have it or where He wants me to be, but I will walk the path He places in front of me. That was pretty great. I was super stoked in addition to being excited beforehand that Pip had invited me out for dessert and I was happy to get the opportunity to see him without staring across a library or coffee table and the presence of a laptop. I enjoyed our talk, but I wish he hadn't still been so stressed. I was chipper and I wanted him to be chipper as well... but that's how I function. My True Color (TM) (personality speaking) is Blue and one of my personal mottoes is "I'm ok if you're ok."... and I am an EXTREME Blue. Harmony focused. I like to rejoice with others, not rejoice while I see them still going through.

Wednesday I finally began to feel better, which was great because I had the rest of my apartment to pack by that night, in addition to palmrolling my hair. I finished packing everything (and Carmen) by around 2:30am. I immediately began my hair, which normally takes me about four4 hours... but took me 1 hour and 45 mins this time in my eagerness to go to sleep. I fell asleep around 5am, woke up at 9am to do the final wrap-up and vacuum the floors. I was out of my apartment by 10:30am at which time I turned in my keys and headed to Ruby Salon to get my eyebrows threaded for the first time, which was awesome. I went next door, got a "Sunny Day" smoothie and moseyed on in to work for my last day. Mi jefe y yo went to lunch, BagelHeads YUM! Then I went shopping for a suit because I was not planning to head home to Augusta before my interview in Atlanta on Tuesday.

After shopping, I went to pif's. She was housing me for my last night in Tallahassee. I sat around for a long time, super duper tired, super excited about that night's outing with Pip (AND about my new dress that I bought for such an important occasion. I <3 dresses.) We went to Cafe Cabernet. I had a bit of a rocky/off start, but warmed up and had a good time. The transition from study partners to just hanging out at Cafe Cab and kicking it was semi awkward for me I guess... not that I didn't want to transition.

Graduation and leaving

Friday morning, day of graduation, I ate lunch with one of my friends and ended up rushing to the graduation ceremony. I wasn't late, but I was late for the time that I was asked to be there lol. Pip and I got there at the same time. I was very flustered, semi-disoriented, just a hot mess. I had done a lot in the past 36 hours and it was getting to me. My pif and another friend came to the graduation as well, but Pip provided me the support I needed. I was kinda freaking out and all over the place and he was the calm I needed. He took my stuff and held it for me as I put on my cap and gown. During the ceremony he was sitting where I could see him, and the faces he made and the smiles were entertainment relief for the ceremony that seemed to drag on, especially since I could not text being that I was FACING EVERYONE in the audience.

After the ceremony I was still a mess, but he stood by my side (and with my stuff) as I said goodbye and took pictures with my select friends and Profs. He bore with me as I hastily ripped off my robe, hood, and cap because I was HOT, fixed me a little plate of refreshments, waited for me to change into my maxi dress that I was driving to Atlanta in. Carried my stuff outside and sat with me while I recharged (or kind of attempted to) and let everything slow down a minute so I could get my head right for the 4.5hr drive. Yes, I needed to get my bearings, but honestly I wanted a moment with him. I knew it was the last time I'd see him for a while. I hate that I had to be such a mess and that I know he was there stressing about his interviews and busy weekend ahead. I didn't want to hold him up, but I also wanted him to be there with me as long as he could. He had slipped a card into my bag, but since I was expecting it to be the card my friend Karen gave me and didn't realize it was from him until I finished reading it the full message and significance of the card did not officially hit me until I read it when I reached Atlanta and I was like whoa, but in pleasantly surprised way.

It was time to go, so he walked me to my car and I drove him to his as I played "Prototype" which I had been jammin to for the past couple of days. I parked and we hugged. I didn't want to let go and drive away. As much as I enjoyed the past two super stressful weeks because they allowed Pip and I to meet, I feel shortchanged... like we didn't get to hang out enough before I had to whisk myself away to GA. The card brought up a lot of sentiments that I also felt, but we didn't get the opportunity to debrief them in person.