Kathy and I are now officially graduates. We went back to campus a week ago for rehearsals, which basically meant a mediocre cookout and people telling us where we’d sit the next day. It felt too soon returning to campus after having a beautiful three days being at our new apartment and I definitely did not miss sleeping in the college dorms. As is usual with most of our trips, we did forget some things and I didn’t have dress shoes to go with my nice professional outfit (not that anyone saw it under our black robes). A late night run to Concord and I found some cheap $30 no-name replacements and Kath was able to grab some fancy sandals to solve her shoe dilemma as well.
The next morning we woke to the familiar college, this time without homework in mind but butterflies in our stomachs. The first meal of the day sucked; the college supplied a few varieties of muffins and bread but certainly no logger’s breakfast. In Wheeler Hall, we and the rest of the graduating class put our 4 years (or more) of education to use by figuring out how to wear the damn graduation attire. A square hat for a round head, a dangling mop in my face, a hood like a dragon’s tale, and a woman’s dress: who started this tradition?
The group gathered at the far end of the campus as the line moved through Colgate, onto the front field between masses of parents and cameras and finally to our seating. The BFA Graphic Design students happened to be in the last rows back away from the stage and nearest to the mob of overly excited family members, some of them practically fighting their way to the front for the money shot of their son or daughter. Luckily, mom and dad are always early so seating wasn’t too bad for them. The rest of my family soon followed and arrived in time to fend for seats. By chance, Kathy’s parents landed two empty chairs right next to dad.
The ceremony actually wasn’t too bad to bear, considering most graduations are very long and tiresome. The president gave a pretty nice speech, as this day was also his investiture, along with a few other professors and students (one went on and on about Inukshuks…), then it was diploma time. I remember Bob saying to me after, “You walked the right speed, a lot of other kids ran across the stage.” It felt pretty amazing getting that “little piece of paper.” It took a lot getting here and it’s finally sinking in that it’s over. After a mini photo shoot among parents and friends near the graduation tent, we hurriedly emptied the last remains of our rooms, checked out, and said goodbye to Colby-Sawyer College.
That Sunday was Mother’s Day and I gave mom her CSC blanket, one of the few buys I’ve enjoyed at the campus bookstore. Being the first day after graduation, it really felt like the start of a new crossroad. Ironically Bob and I spent most of the day hauling firewood with Dad, something we’ve done countless times in childhood years. I loved every minute of it. Having the three of us working outdoors on a warm summer day brought back a flood of memories for all of us. Bob and I traded off using the pulp hook and Dad gave us our turns running the chainsaw. Sherri (family dog and mascot) playfully leaped off every uncut log and splashed through a nearby puddle, her mouth in the water like a whale looking for plankton. Later, we talked with some neighbors building sprint cars and we even fired up Bob’s ’57 Chevy. It was a blast tearing up and down Red Hill Road, though the mouse I almost stepped on in the back seat looked a little dizzy.
I’m not sure if it’s irony or what, but you have a spelling error here:
In Wheeler Hall, we and the rest of the graduating class put our 4 years (or more) of education to use by figuring out how to where the damn graduation attire.
You have “where” and it should be “wear”.
Comment by Jason — May 20, 2007 @ 9:57 pm
Whoops, forgot to add this…
Nice post, it is very strange being away from it all for good now. We don’t have as much to look forward to now, sure there is getting a job, getting married and such, but no more looking forward to breaks, and summers off and graduation. Things come few and much farther apart in life now. I’m not sure if I’m ready for all that, but I don’t have much of a choice, maybe grad school will help me out there.
Good luck in whatever you end up doing and wherever life takes you. I know you well enough to know that you will be happy doing whatever it is and you will be damn good at it. Keep in touch, I want to be able to say “hey, I know that guy” someday when looking at a list of those who “made it big, doing what they loved.”
-Jason-
Comment by Jason — May 20, 2007 @ 10:01 pm
School’s out, I’m allowed one grammatical error
Thanks for pointing it out; I do like to keep my writing clean.
I appreciate the vote of confidence and I do believe we’ll both do great. Keep me posted on where you end up and keep in touch.
Comment by Adrian — May 21, 2007 @ 9:12 am
Congratulations! I remember the first time I met you. You said that the number one thing you were looking forward too was graduating and getting a job in web design. Look at you now!
Having graduated last year, I can attest to the fact that things come farther apart. Days off from work are worth celebrating, as is the weekend. Being able to leave your work at work is probably one of the things I enjoy the most. Not that I don’t like my job or what I do, but I do enjoy the ability to go home and relax, cook, play video games, and work on my own personal projects.
The bills suck. Sometimes cleaning up after yourself can be a chore. But when you think back to when you graduated high school and how far you have come since then, it truly is an impressive transformation.
And then again, we really have just begun.
Comment by Travis — May 22, 2007 @ 10:12 am
Haha, good memory
I spent the most of that year trying to find recruits for my business, only to realize there were maybe three of us on campus who knew anything about web design. Definitely appreciate the help I received from guys like you, Jason, and Chris. If anyone is looking for some web design, keep me posted, I’d be glad to help out.
I’ll keep you updated on the work situation. First week is going great, looking forward to a three day weekend as well. I also like your last line the best. It reminds us that we’ve made big steps from school to full-time gigs, but to never stop creating goals and trying to improve. Who knows what’s next.
Comment by Adrian — May 22, 2007 @ 8:55 pm
You know, not to step on Jason’s toes, but as you start working, the weekend becomes something you really, really value. It’s like a mini-winter-break at the end of every week. Thank god for that. You start to really pick up on the little things, like going out to dinner after work, or having a friend visit for an evening.
And thanks for the shout out in the last post, but, really, you’ve helped me a hell of a lot more than I’ve helped you. (Speaking of which, know of any decent drop down menus that don’t suck in IE?)
Where are you and Kathy now? What’s she up to? And, wow, it’s weird to graduate, but it’s also weird when your friends who were a year behind you start graduating too. Sorta sinks the real world in a bit.
To end this multiparagraph ramble, congratulations on graduating, the new apartment, the new job, and the beginning!
Comment by ChrisHP — May 23, 2007 @ 9:33 am
I can agree with time being more valuable. It’s very nice to live outside of work because we can now separate our jobs from home. Every night has been awesome because we work hard during the day and then that’s it, no crappy homework to worry about that night.
And don’t be fooled, you deserve a lot of credit for helping make a college double work with 3 people. Much appreciated. Not to mention, your Illustrator tips also helped.
Kath is working just down the road from me about a mile away and she’s kicking butt. She works for Silver Oven, a very talented studio, and they set her up on the first day with a new Mac and 24″ LCD. She was pretty nervous going in but once the butterflies were gone, she was loving it. Couldn’t be happier with how our jobs and living worked out, most of it from work and research, but a little luck as well. The apartment, about 15 min. from work, is perfect. Nice 2 bedroom with 60+acre view of an open grass field and it’s a very secure, quiet area. Next on the list: a dog.
Talk to you soon, hope all is well.
Comment by Adrian — May 25, 2007 @ 4:58 pm
Speaking of friends visiting. When can I come visit you guys? I haven’t seen anyone in over 100 years it seems.
Comment by Jason — May 27, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
Great post, Adrian! Congratulations again on everything. I’m really going to miss you and Kathy next year. You two better make time in your busy schedules to come visit CSC next year
Comment by Sarah — June 1, 2007 @ 8:15 pm
Jason: haha, we’ll set something up.
Sarah: Thank you! Kathy and I will miss you very much and do plan to come visit during the year some time. We’re making it a point to do something fun every weekend so CSC is on the list. And don’t forget to e-mail! Take care.
Comment by Adrian — June 3, 2007 @ 8:02 pm
Time for an update
Comment by Sarah — September 15, 2007 @ 10:59 am