Greenport with Wifey

Friday - Saturday Carrie and I went to Greenport. It has been so hot out lately that we barely spent any time outdoors. We had a delicious dinner and played Apples to Apples. Carrie and I then watched Zach and Miri make a Porno. The next morning we got up to do some yard sailing.I got a big sweet black belt. After taking a nap/watching Bedtime Stories, we went to this festival at the skate park. It was really fun to watch a bunch of kids compete and skate around. They make it look so easy!

Commencement

This morning was my graduation. Campus was decorated with hoards of friends and family and of course a barrage of light blue robes. It was around 80 degrees and very sunny. There I was, sitting among a mass of grad students, soon to be contributing members of society, recounting the past year and what I have gained, let go of, and learned.

I realized I got exactly what I wanted. I learned how to be more assertive, independent, harder working, more competent and how to take initiative in adverse situations. I learned that no one initially feels like they fit in at grad school. You have to work hard to feel like you belong. When you finally do feel like you belong, you realize that everyone in your field is completely different and together you make up the department, almost like a puzzle. I like to think I am an edge piece of the puzzle. Considering my studies and the subject area that I wish to pursue, I am off center, but I help to make the innards come together as a full picture of sociology.

While exiting the ceremony, I heard the beautiful vocal stylings of some of my colleagues, singing the Columbia anthem (Stand Up Columbia). I walked down and out of the college walk alone, while this music resonated in my mind. A couple of tears begged to be let out, and I allowed them. I felt happy and fulfilled and a tinge of sadness as I am closing a very industrious and successful, pedagogical chapter of my life.

Then I went to get lunch with the family at Cafe do Monde. It was delicious and I really enjoyed spending time with my family (as always). Being that I am a little girl at heart and still seek approval from my parents, the conversations I had with my father today really made me feel proud and reaffirmed the connectedness I feel with him. I am really happy that we have such a great relationship now.

My life right now is excellent. I have been getting everything that I wanted. I have no reason to be sad, aside from the fact that I have been packing on a few pounds and smoking too many ciggs. I will focus on these things this summer, and work toward changing them,

Lilacs and American Idol

Today I was walking on Amsterdam to meet up with Lisa and Vala at Central Park, after I finishsed my work for the day. I walked past the old folks home and got a huge whiff of lilacs. They always make me think of spring and take me back to walks in the backyard with my dad to pick flowers. I got all nostalgic and I sent him a text to tell him that at 5:49. I got no response then at 9:33, I get a text from him saying "5704". I write back "Huh? 5704?. Then he writes back"Oops. I was voting for American Idol".

LOL. Me and Kristen Burst out laughing.

Valentines

Last night I went to my dads for dinner and movies. We ate chinese and watched 'Vicky Christina Barcelona and 'Slumdog Millionaire'. They were both really good. I kept seeing places I have been in Barcelona and it really made me want to go back. I keep fantasizing about my upcoming travels, putting all my eggs in one basket, I suppose.

Today we went to Martha Clara vineyard and tasted some wines. Then we saw some donkeys, llamas and alpacas! I decided I want to donkey for christmas.

I gotta say (and not only because I know you're reading this) that I am pretty lucky to have such awesome parents/step parent(s). I have met a lot of families in my day, and have seen a lot of different parent/child dynamics. I gotta say that I think I am the luckiest. Yes, it was hard growing up and being a badass (or thinking that I was a badass) but now that I see eye to eye with my parents I am thankful that they are as cool as they are and that we can learn and grow from each other.

So yeah, I didn't have a valentine this year. But maybe this valentines day was more than lust and dumb cards and more about drinking wine and spending time with family.