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Saturday, May 07, 2011

Free!

Last night, I had to attend my final obligation for the school year: commencement.

I was NOT excited to attend.

Typically, commencement is held in the mid-morning in the auditorium of our campus.  You still have to suffer through the long process of pomp and circumstance, but at least it's done early in the day and is conveniently located.  But this year, the college is celebrating its 50 year anniversary and the president has wanted to make a big deal of that anniversary by holding commencement in downtown Ft Lauderdale at the Convention Center -- at night.  It's what everyone wants to spend their Friday night doing, right?

I seriously thought of skipping out, and I probably would have but I was being specially recognized since I was Professor of the Year and my absence would be noted.  So, I went.  Reluctantly.

There were a lot of things about the ceremony that kinda sucked: confusion about where I was supposed to be in the processional and receiving little direction from commencement officials, sitting for 2 hours, standing on stage to receive my award and feeling absolutely Butterball-ish (in my regalia, it's indistinguishable that I am 9 months pregnant -- I just appear to be round and fat).  But, on the plus side, being recognized meant that I was in the front row, which means...yes, I was one of the first ones out!

To beat nearly 5,000 others out of the auditorium had a distinct advantage: I made a beeline for the bathroom and then for the parking garage, and I was outta there faster than I had anticipated.  So, I got home much earlier than I thought I would -- time enough to come home and still enjoy something of a Friday night with the Jer-Bear.

And now, I'm all done for the term and the year!  What a relief to have the next 14 weeks off.  There are definitley some things I'd like to get prepared around the house before Caleb's arrival, but if they didn't get done, it wouldn't matter.  Now that I'm done with work, I feel a huge weight off me: He can come anytime now and it'd be okay.  Phew!

13 comments:

Erin said...

Glad you survived and summer break is here!

Unknown said...

enjoy your break!

Lee said...

Nice! Enjoy your summer break!

Agate Lake Girl said...

Congrats again on Teacher of the Year and glad to hear you are starting your summer vacay. Enjoy your time with Norah and Caleb - I only wish we could enjoy some of it with you! We'll miss you-

Jim ... 50after40 said...

I don't know of anyone who enjoys graduation. That seriously made me laugh ... "I would have skipped it, but I had this MOST AWESOME TEACHER OF THE YEAR BAGGAGE hanging over my head!" Glad it's over for you - enjoy summer!

The Boring Runner said...

Wow, I piss and moan about having to go to those without being pregnant. I can't imagine going while I was! Enjoy the time off!!

ajh said...

Officially jealous that you are done for the year.

N.D. said...

Congrats again on your award! Commencements are so long, yay for it being over!

Why said...

Awesome blog.. just now found it and will for sure check back in. Congrats and keep on inspiring.
Gotta Run,
Mike
WhyMarathon.com

MNFirefly said...

Enjoy!!

fancy nancy said...

Yahoo! No more teachers...no more books....oh wait! Enjoy your break and congrats on the award!

Wes said...

I hate those thing too, but you optimized your escape! AWESOME!

Robin said...

End of the year and now you can focus on Caleb's impending arrival!

Graduations are just boring. Even when it is your own.