Coffee & Honeycomb: May 2014

ALUMNA STATUS

Monday, May 19, 2014

This past weekend, I became an official college graduate and an UIUC alumna!
I DIIIIIID IT, I DIIIID IT, I DIIIIIIID IT.

People keep asking me how I feel and honestly, it really hasn't hit me yet. It kind of just feels like another school year ended and that I am returning in the fall. I think the three moments when it did feel the most real was a) when I took cap/gown photos with my friends b) when I saw my dad waving at me from the audience during the ceremony c) when the college dean called us "U of I alumni."

U of I alumni, huh. So surreal.

I just can't believe how quickly these four years went by... I did have my emotional moments over the weekend and I was so grateful that family, friends, and the boyfriend drove down to celebrate this special moment with me — because they have just as much of a reason to be celebrated. I know many of my friends are so sad that they're leaving campus, and it is, but to me, it just feels so, so, so right. It feels right to graduate. It feels appropriate.

And I think that's because I tried my best to take advantage of the endless opportunities on campus and I had my fair share of what college had to offer. There were a lot of things on my "college bucket list" and for the most part, I'm lucky to check off some. In the last four years, I wrote for my school newspaper, played for the school lacrosse team, worked at a local coffee shop, competed in two case competitions, interned at two agencies, lived in dorms, lived in an apartment, studied abroad in Italy, chartered an RSO, won a free trip to NYC, co-led a small group, (finalllyyy) won a BIFF trophy, made the most wonderful group of friends and colleagues, and... landed a job to end it all. :) It was, indeed, a good four years.

College was more than just receiving an education; and I know we hear this a lot, but it really was a space to grow, to live, to laugh... To take risks and walk out of your comfort zone, to eat junk food really late at night, to build a network and seek mentors, to find God and purpose and love...

So what happens next? What does real world and post-grad life look like? How do you navigate young adulthood? How do you navigate working life and a new city? How do you even look for an apartment? How do you search for a church? ... These are some of the questions floating in my new alumna brain because clearly there isn't a syllabus on how to do this anymore.

My blog is no longer a "college girl blog." I don't know what it is. But thank you for reading, thank you for following me since sophomore year. I don't know what life is going to look like anymore and I don't know what this blog is going to look like anymore, but I hope you will continue to follow along for the ride! :) Maybe I should make a new "20-something bucket list".... Is that what's next? #POSTGRADPROBLEMS.

CHEERS TO GRADUATING! HOOORAAAH CLASS OF 2014!

SPONTANEOUS ROAD TRIP

Monday, May 12, 2014

My roommates and I went on a spontaneous road trip last week to St. Louis to sightsee and visit Wash U campus for a day, and it was so fun. :) We wanted to go one last trip together as roommates and as seniors, but timing was never right. Originally, we were going to go on a Spring Break trip, but with my upcoming Japan missions trip, we didn't think it would be wise to spend that much money.

Last week, classes ended and my roommates and I decided to take advantage of that before finals got too crazy. St. Louis was only a 3-hour drive away so we thought that would be a fun destination. (: The weather was beautiful so we walked around to see the arch, downtown, Wash U campus, and stopped by a few good eateries. Oh, and coffee shop. Always a coffee shop.

MOTHER IS ALWAYS RIGHT

Friday, May 2, 2014

Mother's Day is coming up and today is actually my mom's birthday, so I thought I'd dedicate today's post to our supportive, awesome, loving super-moms. (I think they are actually super heroes.)

This was her when she was younger. Wasn't she a beaut? She claims that she had a boy fawning over her in every state... I think I got my complete inaccurate sense of confidence from her

With each year that passes by, I realize more and more just how eerily correct my mom is about everything. Although at the time I always think my way is better, I find myself correlating many of my current problems to advice she offered years ago I should have taken (ex: my poor eye site, my poor spending habits, my inability to wake up in the morning, etc.) Let me give you a list.

Things my mom was right about:

- Cheese is good.
- Wear layers.
- Always offer to help.
- Go to sleep.
- Pick out your clothes the night before.
- Double check.
- Write a 'thank you' letter.
- Don't settle.
- You can do anything you want — if you just try.
- Don't sit so close to the tv.
- Don't date him.
- Don't date him, either.
- Don't spend that much money on a homecoming dress.
- Don't read in the dark.
- Stop touching your face.
- Don't sign up for an 8 am. You won't wake up.

I should have listened... Maybe I should start now?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UMMMMMMA! :)

Coffee & Honeycomb

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