The G word...

Grotesque? No. Gore? Nope. Gruesome? Maybe. Gangsta? Definitely not. So what "g word" and I talking about exactly?


Graduation...[insert dramatic "dun dun dun" here]

Day by day I feel it creeping up on me quickly. It is already the third week of February and midterms are knocking on the door, so May 6 (or the dreaded g-word) is going to be here before I can even blink. Before this semester started, I was completely ready (or so I thought) with the thought of moving on with my life. And while I still feel that I am completely over college and classes, I don't think I'm ready for my friends to all leave.

Moving home this semester has felt like an early departure from the University of Dayton. Sure, I only live five minutes down the street and I can go any time I want, but I find myself (more often then not) staying at home because "I don't want to waste gas driving back and forth." Now this is a bit of an issue because I STILL don't have a job (I'm so tired of filling out applications), so I have to be careful on how much money I'm spending (especially since I still want to buy a new camera with my money I got back from moving home). This whole no job thing really sucks. You would think a 22-year-old college student (almost college graduate) would be able to find ANY job doing ANYTHING...I guess I should get used to this though since I have wasted my four years getting a degree that is practically pointless. Why didn't anyone tell me what I was doing was stupid? Grrrr.

"What do you plan to do after graduation?" seems to be the question on everybody's mind these days as well...and what's my answer? Try to find a job, just like everyone else. And when asked what kind of job, I answer with any kind. Honestly, I think I went in to college with the mentality that it didn't really matter what I was getting a degree in, as long as I was getting one in something. I am going to be graduating with a major in Communications with a concentration in journalism (mistake number one), and a minor in photography (mistake number two). As far as the journalism thing goes, I should have concentrated more in PR instead of journalism, but that ship sailed a long time ago. And as far as photography, well, I learned more in the last four years getting paid shooting weddings with Nick then I did in any of my classes at UD, which is unfortunate. I've actually been considering going to massage school after graduation just for shits and giggles...we'll see about that though. I've over school and need time off.

As far as Ben and I go, we need to be together. I'm tired of the distance and I know it's hard, if not harder sometimes, for him. So the unofficial plan, at least for now, is to wait until he is done with TBS (The Basic School aka Marine bootcamp which lasts for six months after his graduation (May 29)) and then move with him where ever he gets stationed afterwards.

So before the big day of receiving my diploma, what do I have to do? Well it's going to be a crazy three and a half months. During my midterm break (February 29 - March 4), I will be headed to the Dive Vortex and Morrison Springs in Ponce de Leon, FL to get scuba certified! For the last month and a half, every Monday and every other Wednesday, I have been enrolled in a class to become certified. I'm super excited, but kind of nervous at the same time. I think it'll be really awesome! I just hope my nerves don't get the best of me! As far as March goes, well, there's my senior St. Patrick's Day, which by any guess will be more insane than the past three years combined. And then the UD Club Softball team is headed to the Cavalier Classic at the University of Virginia. April is going to be a complete blur. We have Easter Break from April 4-10 (along with Ben's and my two year anniversary!!), then the second weekend is I-Ball (International Ball) in Annapolis, but I'm not sure if we're going to that or if Ben is coming home that weekend, but the third weekend, the softball team is at it again, only we're headed to Chicago to play Loyola, and the last weekend is Renee's bachelorette party! Then it's a week of finals (May 1-4) and I graduate May 6.

But wait! Just because school is over doesn't mean it gets any less busy. Daytona is May 8-13 and I couldn't be more excited! I'm going with Shannon, Caroline, April and Jenni and we're going to be in Hotel 2, so that will be a blast! Then the following weekend is Danny and Renee's wedding (FINALLY!!!!!!) and then I'm headed to Annapolis with Ben's parents for a week for his commissioning.

Overall, I'm pretty excited for the next few months, but my senior year of college is almost over. I can't believe my college experience is almost over. When they say time flies...they're really NOT kidding. I feel like yesterday I was moving in to Founders (my freshman dorm) and meeting all the amazing people I have encountered since then.

So for now, that's it. Happy Valentine's Day ya'll!

XOXO