Graduate from College

Complete- Drop # 10- Graduate from College

Something that was on both my life list and on 25 before 25 was graduating from college. Although I still have graduate school in my future, I did earn my bachelor's degree!

Overcoming Challenges
      Being pregnant my senior year, I was unsure of whether I was going to be able to:

1. Walk and
2. Get my GPA above a 3.5.

      When getting my Associate degree I had graduated with a 3.8 GPA. So, I was disappointed in myself when the transition from community college to university did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. I calculated my likelihood of graduating from Clark with a 3.5 or better. I needed straight A's my final semester. An A- would mean failure. It seemed like a fat chance.

      Not only did I actually get straight A's my final semester, Lela's procrastination in escaping the womb meant that I was able to attend my graduation. I honestly hadn't planned on going- I was sure I would be in labor by then. I hadn't even picked up my cap and gown! On May 20th I woke up pregnant, so we headed up to Clark. Looks like I was walking after all!

Baking the Turkey

     I was excited- until I put on my cap and gown. It almost immediately became clear that a graduation ceremony on a nearly 90 degree day was hardly an appropriate place for a pregnant woman. I was wearing way too many layers, soaking up the rays with my lovely black gown, and packed together with hundreds of other graduates. I felt like a stuffed thanksgiving turkey covered in tinfoil and left to roast in the oven.

     When it came time to accept my degree, I could barely move. Nor could I keep up with the rest of the line. I tried to act as un-pregnant as possible. I jumped out of my chair way too fast and pulled a muscle in my leg. Now I became bloated pregnant turkey with a limp. Awesome. I waddled across the stage to accept my degree and eagerly went back to my chair to start stripping off my layers. It was way too hot for this formal nonsense.

     My parents had flown up from Texas for Lela's birth, so it was a bonus for them (and me) that they were able to also watch me graduate from Clark. Vinh's mother and sister were also able to come. Although I was very happy that I had the support, the last thing I wanted to do was to put the turkey tinfoil back on and take staged pictures. Let's just say that by the time this picture was taken, I was not a happy camper. Shortly after this picture I refused to put the cap back on. I was dried out and overcooked..

     Despite the heat, I was glad I was able to walk. Attending school at Clark was a great experience and- despite being a pregnant, bloated mess- it is nice to have pictures of the event.

The Life of a Pregnant College Senior

"Every New Beginning Comes from Some Other Beginning's End"

- Semisonic

     It feels like I am wrapping up so many thing in a four month period! I'm already feeling anxious, disorganized, and unprepared. Most of it, I think, is because there are so many things that are supposed to happen within the next few months, but nothing seems to be written in stone. I'm not one that has to have everything planned all the time but jeez, I need some sort of idea about what's going on when, if at all!

Final Semester

     Clark U, I'm baaack! It's my last semester! And this is what must be the only part of my life I feel organized about right now. Despite the organization, there is a lot that has to be accomplished this semester! Some of them are fairly substantial, so I am already trying to read ahead. No doubt that this may prove to be the biggest resume-building semester of my undergrad career.

1. I'm taking a class on influencing public policy on the state level, which I am really stoked about. I'll be helping in putting together the Family Impact Seminar taking place this Spring in Boston.
2. I'll be presenting group research with other students in my Cultural Psychology class during Academic Spree Day (date not yet announced, usually late April) 
3. I'll have the opportunity to publish a research paper. Hey! That's on my list!

     Looking at it now, it doesn't seem so bad. I think it's just knowing that all of this is happening in such a short amount of time, and during a time where my personal life is completely disorganized. All finals are due May 9th and then graduation from college is May 20th! I'll be able to cross that off the list!

**Note: Also currently working on my applications to Graduate schools-
another goal on my list that needs completing

23 Weeks

Carrying the Peanut

     I've seen quite a few pictures and, for 23 weeks, I'm pretty small. I'm considering myself pretty lucky- I've had no real aches, back pains, leg cramps, etc that a lot of other women experience. The only slight annoyances I've had thus far is swelling of the hands (not feet, though) and a soreness of my upper left leg. I'm probably jinxing myself right now.

     I think the thing that is giving me the most anxiety is not knowing where we're going to be living when baby comes. It's our hope to move back up closer to family, but when? It isn't even something that we can necessarily push- it has to fall in to place at the right time. I'm probably not very anxious about it at all, but the change in hormones have really had an effect on my mood within the past few weeks. The whole first half I was proud of my lack of mood swings and then BAM! I'm mostly trying to recognize when my emotions feel disproportionate to the extent of the issue and then gauge my reaction appropriately. I can't always control the emotion, but I can control my reaction.

     There's a lot going on! I just have to focus on managing my moods and not panicking about upcoming deadlines, and everything will be okay. It's always been, and most likely always will be, mind over matter.

Let's get this party started.