Friday, May 26, 2006

Graduation 2006 Style

Graduation turned out to be a really fun time. Truthfully I have alot of mixed emotions about graduation. As happy as I am to be a graduate of the University of Richmond with a degree in Urban Practice and Policy and Fashion Design from a school that cost over $40,000 to attend, I still dont feel like an alum. I suppose that around August I will begin to feel that usual tugging at my heart about returning to school and as I realize that I will not be I will feel like an alum. Maybe I will feel like an alum when I change my status on the facebook and stop getting invited to join random clubs because my underclassman have forgetten about me. Or maybe it will be when I realize that I am in New York and have a full time job and an apartment. Whatever it will take I dont have it just yet.
Ive moved from UR and Im awaiting my move to NY. This sunday I will pack what belongings will fit into my Uncles spare bedroom on Winthrop in Brooklyn and head off to the city of NY. As grand as that is...it really doesnt faze me much. Everyone thinks its such a grand thing and their first question is if NY is home for me. When I respond in the negative they then ask my purpose for leaving Richmond...I respond to work and their eyes widen in some fear for me. "New York is a busy city" or "Be Careful" they all warn and wish me good luck in as much of a genuine way as they can possibly muster but I know the underlying fear that I will in the end return with hurt feelings and brusied self esteem. I know how hard it is for many to think of New York outside of that "If I can make it there...I'll make it anywhwere" mentality but I really feel like Ive been there and done that and that its the best place for me. Im a city girl and I belong in the only city of consequence on the east coast.
Graduation was fun but it was tireing as hell... and to top it all off it rained like crazy. Either way...I dont have to do another damn thing for UR. It's funny...every now and then I will think of some little thing that I forgot to do...like fill out that life survey for Wellness and I worry just a little, then I rememeber that if it was that big of a deal they wouldnt have let me graduate... HAHAHA. There are a few things I didnt get to but nothing really worth stressing over. I was kinda upset for a second that I didnt make the Deans List this semester but I guess I asked for it when I decided to not stress over Finite Math. Missing it by a minus as opposed to the plus I got kinda ticked me off but its all good...I still made the GPA. Some say its no big deal but it was a personal goal.
I saw all the people I love with the exception of one at graduation. My friends came down to see me trip over a buckle in the carpet and to chill with me and have a great time. Sam arrived 9 in the damn morning (Gosh) and Erin arrived a little later that Saturday. We chilled for a little while then I ran off to grocery shop for my party. After returning a little late we headed over to Erica's to chill and talk shit to each other as we customarily do when we get together. We finally got our lives togther and convinced Shannon to have dinner with and headed over to Kobe. I have the best time when Im with those girls. I can be my ghetto progressive self, I can say whats on my mind and I can expect them to do the same for me. I really wish that I could be around them all the time like in junior year but we each must do our own thing. Im steadily trying to convince Erica to move to NY. Like me she too is a city girl..all this Richmond BS just isnt her style. She needs to progress to bigger and better things that can be found in NY....plain and simple. After dinner we decided against going out and ended up heading back to Ericas to talk more shit and sleep. After that Shan Shan took me hope and I rested up for the big day.
It rained cats and dogs the whole time and I got tired of the whole ordeal really quick. All I wanted to do was shake Cooper's hand and return to my room to watch Hitch again for fifth time. After spending most of the time laughing & joking with Sam and Erin from the top of the Stadium, graduation was finally over. I ran over to North court Reception Room and still wasn't able to rest the least bit. Between chasing after my nieces and nephews and trying to greet people before my nieces and nephews attacked them I only got to eat one cocoanut shrimp and two cups of punch! I was beat by the end of the night but it was worth it in the end: I had a great time and really appreciate all the love and gifts I got from everyone! After clean Up, I returned to my mom and chilled w/ S. Dot and E. Money who were leaving the next morning. Andrea came by later that night and we powwowed for a while. The next morning Sam had a dentist appointment which lead me to believe that that was the only reason she'd come to Richmond. Sam and Erin kept talking Shit about packing and I was not having it. Though I told my sister to arrive around 2 pm, I still had no desire to begin packing! I waited as long as I could then began to gather the last of my things and head out. If you know me... you know, hate packing and would rather throw everything away than move heavy boxes.
To Be Continued.....

No comments: