Graduation

Yeah, I'm a College Graduate... and I was EXCITED!

So, obviously, I survived those last few crazy weeks in college. I finished all my papers, projects and other deadlines and got all A's but one B. Not bad for a busy last semester.  We had a fabulous ceremony on May 21st and enjoyed a delicious BBQ afterward at the Elk Grove Park with family.  The actual day was so surreal because it felt like a fun celebration but in the back of my mind I kept thinking I'd be back when the next semester came around.  That's just what I've always done.  One of my most favorite things about the ceremony was the unity you could see from my major.  The Deaf Studies major is such a tight knit group and we were all friends too.  We all signed the Star Spangled Banner and **waved hands** as our fellow graduate received the Dean's Award on stage.  I will definitely miss my friends, school and all the fun experiences I have had but I have learned so much and have had some great times!  Also, if you know me at all, you know that I am a huge ally of the Deaf community, obviously why I majored in Deaf Studies.  If you feel like reading one of my final papers here is my 15 pager titled, "Medical Biases Decide the Fate of Your Child's Deafhood".  As I had just finished writing this, I sat down and read it out loud to my parents to get their input. (Yes, I made them endure all 15 pages). At the end I was literally crying.  I am so passionate about the awareness of Deaf Culture and ASL.  The injustices forced upon the Deaf community are unreal and the worst part is that the majority of people have no clue what has been done.  Anyway, lets not get me fired up on that subject! As of right now, I am applying for any job opening I see.  I truly hope to go back and get my Interpreting Certification or by some miracle go back and get a Master's/Teaching Cred. so I can teach to Deaf children.  My internship was in a Kindergarten-2nd grade class and I just fell in love with it!...One day....one day...

My biggest supporter! Could not have finished without this hunky guy!

My two best friends...my sisters. Aren't they absolutely beautiful?

Deaf Studies Graduates and Dr. Vicars, Dr. Rayman and Dr. Egbert!

Oh do I love these girls: Lindsey, Becky, Libby, Torre, Sarah, Casey, Chrissy, Joey and me!

Robert's parents and youngest brother, Kyle came too.

The Gale Family & Popi who is also a CSUS Alumni!

Heather made these adorable "ILY" signs and my professors and other grads loved them!! My whole family was in the first row right as we walked in waving the signs.... I love my family!

The final stretch--

It is crazy to think that my whole college career has boiled down to the end and I am in a final sprint to home plate.

It took 4 years and one semester ( I took a semester off to get married!!) ....but still not too shabby.

In 19 days I have:

--One 15 page research paper

--Six 2-4 page papers

--Video project

--Two in class performances

--One 10-minute presentation

--Two finals

--Only Eight and a half more hours at my placement

I'm feeling quite stressed but I just remind myself, THIS IS IT!
Whew....I'll feel a lot better when this is all done.
I can do this....I can do this...I can do this!!!

Mom time...Is there anything better?

Seriously, what is better than having a day to hang out with your mom? I mean it.  If I could, I would weekly....I love my momma! This past Saturday the hubs had his very first golf tournament. My dad was on his team **brag time (by the way they got 6th place, on Robert's very first tournament!!! $35 each! Way to go babe.)*  So I thought it would be fun to do something with my mom that I haven't been able to do in a long time -- Antique shopping. I have so many fond memories of gazing hours on end with my mom and sisters at fun old trinkets and knick-knacks...some familiar and some just plain odd. I had such a great time! There was one thing I had my eye set out for though. A cookie jar. I have been needing/wanting one for so long so I thought this was the day I would find one.  When I informed Robert that I wanted look for a cookie jar he requested that it wasn't "lame" but "really cool".  He said, "You should get Chewbacca or Cookie Monster.  Those are cool."  After walking aisle by aisle at the Antique Trove, we did find some but not me at all, and by Robert's defintion..."really lame".  I thought that it was just not my day, until we walked into the second to last vendor's nook. On the very top of the shelf I saw white and an oreo cookie. I grabbed it down and found my very first cookie jar!  It was so me...I am a milkoholic!  I was ecstatic when I saw the price too.  Compared to other cookie jars we saw throughout the day that range from $50+, this one was only $29.99 in excellent condition... After a disappointing beginning of my day I was so happy to have found what I originally set out to buy. On another note...

The only disappointment of the day was that I found something I have NEVER seen before. I have always been in love with Edgar Degas-he is a famous French artist and sculptor. My favorite art pieces of all time belong to him. I have a blanket I adore with a replica of my favorite painting... One piece that is especially close to my heart is a sculpture called Little Dancer Of Fourteen Years. My uncle brought me back a postcard of her when he visited NYC and I have it framed. So when my mom said "No way! Look Emily!" and when I turned I saw a small replica of my statue, although the colors on it were different from the original, but I still loved it!  I knew it was mine as fast as I could run over and get my hands on it!  Though when I picked it up I realized my dreams were dashed. $135. No way could I buy that when I told Robert I'd spend $40 tops and on a cookie jar. I reluctantly put it back down but I have never seen anything ever that I have such a strong love for. As cheezy as it sounds, It's just a statue to a lot of people but this statue means so much more to me. It is my hopes, dreams, childhood and so many emotions packaged in a beautiful bronze girl.

One day though.....maybe one day.

Blogs, blogs and more blogs!

First of all, I have been thinking about my blog nonstop lately.  I have all these ideas I want to write about but no time to! (At least right now) In a month and two days I graduate which has been the cause of my neglect on the blog...

Thankfully, today I have NO obligations, well,  I guess that's not true. I have the hubby, housework, puppy, homework...you get the point.  Let me rephrase--There is no where that I need to be today.  WHEW--and I needed today to catch up on a lot of things.

Now onto the fun. Like I mentioned, I have been busy.  I hear all about blog giveaways, fun prizes and all that.  I think I tried one day to jump on  and enter to win--no luck.  So, today I jumped on and thought, why not?  I was so excited!!  I was most excited to see that my own FABULOUS sister was a giveaway click here  to check it out!  She started out with all kinds of button jewelry but she has so many great ideas.  My favorite are her rose rings and her reusable sandwiches wraps...Yes, reusable sandwich wraps--they are ADORABLE, easy to clean, use and store.  She is so talented in altering, sewing, crafts and so much more. Way to go Heather!

Another great giveaway I found was for a camera bag. If you know me, you know I LOVE photography.  I do fun photoshoots here and there for engagements, weddings, babies, portraits, and family photos.  My bag is black, small and...well, not so cute.  These bags are adorable! The blog giveaway is sponsored by Love Stitched. They are so cute and I want it! :)

I think graduating in a month is a good thing. You know college, 4 years, studying, working hard, getting a Bachelor's it's quite an accomplishment and I am glad I'm almost done, but I think I'm excited to have time to check out giveaways! Oh well, such is life!