Three in a Row

Chris's graduation ceremony was Thursday night at the Whiting Auditorium. It had been five years since I'd walked the stage, and I felt just as anxious for my brother as I did for myself. With a GPA of 4.0, he had the highest in his class, and graduated as Valedictorian.

With that honor, he's given the opportunity to give a speech in front of his classmates and all the guests. Although I knew he was very nervous (he didn't eat all day), when he was introduced and stepped in front of 1800+ people, he never faltered once. His speech was fabulous. Every word was strong, and hearing it sent chills down my spine, and brought tears to the corners of my eyes. Four years of very hard work lead up to that five minutes of his life which he will never forget. I clapped so hard my hands hurt.

Afterwards, he and his classmates walked the stage and received their diplomas, and a chapter of his life was closed forever. We spent a lot of time afterwards hugging teachers, friends, and family, and I took a ton of photos to capture it all. This year, when I go back to pharmacy school, he'll be going off in his own new direction, staring off from that beginning I began years ago. I'm so incredibly proud of him.

At the school board meeting this past Tuesday, he said that the person he most admires is me. That he strives in his endeavors to be more like me; to make me proud. But he is like me, and more importantly, he is himself. There is nothing greater than that. He's watched me chase my dream, and now I'm delighted to say it's his turn. I'm ready to tell him not to give up, to pick him up when he falls, and to cheer him on. I'll be waiting to celebrate at each sweet finish line.

I love him so much; my brother, my friend.

Shoot for the stars

The End of an Era

Chris graduated from high school last night as Valedictorian! It was a beautiful ceremony, and a great night in general. I'll write a ton more about it when I have a little more time. :)

Tourists

I don't think I've bitched about gas prices yet. I just want to say that I want to kill whoever is responsible. KILL. Driving is SO EXPENSIVE, OMG.

Even so, I still drove the 3+ hours to visit Mike up north over Memorial Day weekend. It seems that no matter where I am, or what time of year it is, there is always someone I care about that I need to drive long distances to get to (and for over half our relationship, Mike has fallen into that category). I like to think that this makes me a stronger person and all, but it sure as hell doesn't make me any richer. >_<

Mike's itty-bitty nothing-to-do town of Beulah is suddenly swarming with tourists. O_o A few are even staying downstairs in his house, and this morning I almost got nailed with a squirt gun wielding six year old whose father seemed unconcerned that she was harassing the natives. And they park in my spot.

It's been a lovely weekend otherwise. Yesterday was gorgeous weather, so we drove up the Leelanau Peninsula to visit some of the vineyards and go wine-tasting. I even tasted some of the wine! I'm trying to "acquire" a taste for it, as Mike says, but at this point the relationship between wine and myself is more of a tolerance. But I still had a great time, and the drive was beautiful.

Today the seniors at Mike's high school graduated, so I got to attend his first graduation as a teacher!! :D He had his own gown and teacher hood, which looked very handsome on him. The ceremony took place outside, but I forgot my camera so I couldn't get any pictures. :( I was very proud though, to witness him having nearly completed his first year of teaching. Just over a year ago he was not unlike the students who graduated today--ending one chapter to begin another. Things have come full circle. :)

Tomorrow is Memorial Day, and after that utter chaos until after Chris's open house. At least none of it will be homework! :D

My Time

Today I started up my internship again, and after a 9-month siesta, it only took me about an hour to remember all that time had made fuzzy in my mind. It felt really good, whether it was only because it was my first day back, or whether it was because I missed the pharmacy so much, I can't really say. But it's knowing this contentment exists within me that gets me through the mental stress that school brings on every year. If I didn't know I would love it in the end, there would be no salary large enough to drive me through.

Dan is giving me a $2 raise for completing my second year of P school, and he says I can even wear my white coat now! :D

Summer has kicked off, and I'm not sure where the last two weeks went. Perhaps they were lost in moving, driving across the state with my life packed in the backseat and with gallons of gas worth $4 in my tank. Or maybe it slipped away while I gave a toast at one of my best friend's wedding, and danced the night away. Now the internship has started, and Chris's last day of high school is tomorrow. Next week he graduates, the following week Mike moves back to Lansing, and the week after that is Chris's open house. June will be half over.

I've been with Mike for almost four years. By this time next year, it will nearly be five, and I will finally be able to say, "I only have one year left at school." I will have waited six long ones to say that. Though I am very young, and though I know I will want many, many things throughout my life, right now there is nothing I want more than these two things: to be with Mike, not just when I can, but wherever I am, and to be a pharmacist. I am now so close to having both. There are silly, indescribable moments when it becomes nearly impossible to wait another second. What great reward it will be. My time will come. It's coming.

Beth and Matt's Wedding <3

While trying to catch the "tossed" bouquet:

Relative: "Don't even try, I've got like 70 pounds on you."
Me: "Okay, I guess we'll see."
Relative: "What's your name?"
Me: "I'm not telling you!"
Relative: "I'm serious. What the heck is your name?"
Me: "My name's Maid of Honor."

____________________________

Well, I've moved my sorry ass back to Mt. Morris, so I'm glad that's over. I re-start my internship this upcoming Wednesday, so I'm anxious/nervous about that, but it'll be nice to be in a pharmacy again and to put some money in the bank.

In other none-me sort of news, my wonderful and very dear friend, Beth, married her high school sweetie Matt yesterday. I've been friends with Beth forever and she asked me to be her Maid of Honor! :D I had so many duties, including giving a toast at the reception and "fluffing" her train many times during the ceremony. I helped her into and out of her beautiful dress, and held it up whenever she had to pee. ;) I got to take many lovely pictures with her, and hang out with her awesome bridal party all day! We had a limo ride to the reception, and our own head table for dinner. I even caught the bouquet when she tossed it! I had to go toe-to-toe with a girl, but in the end it was mine. ;)

I had a blast. Of all the weddings I've been too, I think I enjoyed myself most yesterday. I knew so many people, danced the night away, and got to hang out with friends I've known since I was a little kid. And watching Beth start her life with Matt, after five long years of working hard to make it, was truly magical. I admire them; I love them. I wish them the very best, and I told them so in my Toast. :)


<3

Chris: "Hello? You Googled 'Anal Beads.' "

Back Home: Day 1

The last few days have been hectic since school has ended. For a day or two I simply basked in the sheer pleasure of not being constantly stressed out, before I had to begin the transition back home. I'll be moving tomorrow and Tuesday, but getting all my crap from school to home is only one part of the process. It's back to a whole new life of living with the family, having no privacy and no space, and hanging out with friends much different than those I go to school with. Sometimes it feels as though I lead two separate lives--one during the school year and one at home--and for a few days in between it always feels slightly awkward as I switch one off, and the other on. I can't say which I like better, for there are benefits and drawbacks to each, but the honest truth is I'm looking forward to what comes after. When I'll become a woman who is a blend of both, and yet something different altogether. I'm getting close. For the first time, the end is drawing near.

Yesterday I came home for about five minutes before I had to leave for Beth's bachelorette party in Grand Blanc. She and Matt have been dating for five years, and after being engaged for two and a half of those years, they are finally getting married next weekend! :D I'm very happy for them, and I get to be Beth's Maid of Honor!!! :D :D We had fun and played lots of embarrassing games, and then went to see "What Happens In Vegas." After that I came home and talked to Chris until 3:30 am. O.o

This morning I had to try to squeeze the first third of my crap back into my bedroom. Oy.

Tomorrow I have to call my Kroger pharmacist Dan to set up my summer internship schedule. I'm going to beg and plead for something earlier than 11-7. Wish me luck. I also have to set up my hair appointment for the wedding, and then drive back to Big Rapids to get the second third of my crap.

I've only been back in Genesee County for about 24 hours, and I'm already tired of the potholes. O.O

Lols

"Pharmacy school is where fun goes to die."

---P1 Class

At Last, the End

I'M HALFWAY THROUGH PHARMACY SCHOOL!!!
FIVE YEARS DOWN, TWO TO GO!!


I took my last final exam today, and left the pharmacy building for good. Never have I been so exhilarated to see a semester in my rear view mirror. The ending of this year is different than all those which have come before it, because I know now that it will never be this bad again. The worst is behind me now, and from here on out it's the downhill slide. I've come so far since WMU... I am truly proud to return to it next year as a third year pharmacy student. More importantly, as a whole new person.

My final grade in Chemo was posted about an hour ago. Not only did I pass, I got a B-!! :D That's like, super-human or something. And you know what? All the stress, all the bitching, all the feelings of helplessness and the tears were worth it. All the suffering that terrible course put me through was worth it to feel the way I do right now. Relieved, exhilarated, proud. I'm normally an A student, but I tell you what, that B- is the finest work I've ever done.

I'm pretty much the happiest person in the world right now.

:D

FINALS

I'm locking it down for finals folks. I probably won't answer my phone, Gtalk, or AIM at all until Wednesday evening, unless you're family and/or it's an emergency. I swear I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but this time of year simply requires 110% of my attention, and unfortunately I'm not able to stretch myself to meet other needs like I usually can. I hope you all understand. :-/

Thanks so much, and I'll be back when it's all over! :D :D