I’m not sure if I’m the first generation to get a degree from college, but whatever the case, it sure is one hell of an accomplishment. Much greater than finishing high school, and much more pleasing than turning another year older on a birthday. Maybe.

At first I thought it was a day for my family to celebrate my accomplishment. The day turned out to be something else. I was happy, so happy, and so proud to be sitting in that tent with my fellow colleagues because we made it. We spent the last five years suffering and enjoying the likes of architecture, all in solidarity. And then came the celebration with the family. All these people, all here for me, I’ve never been more grateful to have the people in my life. I received hugs, kisses, phone calls, text messsages, emails, facebook wall posts, and greeting cards telling me congratulations. And yes, it couldn’t be done if it weren’t for me. But I couldn’t help but thank a lot of people along the way. I did it for me, but I couldn’t do it without a strong support system.

My name was called, I walked across the stage. My brother kept yelling “That’s my sister!!” repeatedly until I walked off the stage. Causing the Dean of Architecture to pause calling out anymore names, and to receive numerous comments later in the day about how my brother got the audience revved up and how everyone else tried competing with a loud mouth like him to a huge group of people. They couldn’t. Haha.

I hope to graduate again from college, get a Master’s within the next five years. But for now, I’m taking a nice long break before I make my next move. It’s well-deserved.