Wednesday
I had a very good Wednesday. My classes were actually interesting, both Orr and Finkler congradulated me on Phi Beta Kappa, which I wasn't expecting, but felt good. Not so much that I'm PBK, but that my professors feel I deserved it, and that to me speaks volumes more than Mortar Board or Lamba Sigma. My professors, in a sense, have validated my 4 years of intense work. That feels amazing, a real honor. However, I also realize I have alienated myself a bit from my friends and Kappa because I am such a hermit to the studies. So it's really a shame I did that to myself as well. Hmm...
I called in my decision to take the teaching position in Milwaukee. What a relief! I have a job, but not only that, it's EXACTLY the job I've wanted so desperately and have been working towards ever since the Newberry helped me realize I would rather concentrate my talents and energy on working directly with the students, not holed up in libraries doing research and worying about publishing enough for tenure.
As I was dressing for senior dinner, Mark dropped by. He'd been at his doctor's downtown getting checked out since he's diabetic and had that ambulance visit three weeks ago. The doctor wasn't surprised. Apparently most diabetics that are Type 2 get visited by the EMTs at least 3-4 times a year. Mark's pattern seems to be every other year. So he's a very healthy diabetic! Anyways, he was very sweet, gave me advice on how I looked, and walked me over to the bus pick-up. I love that man! Tuesday night we actually got into a long 2 hour discussion about marriage, and it was the most natural discussion, flowed very freely. We began discussing where to have the wedding, and that it'd be very special if his grandmother who has difficulty leaving his aunt's house, would be able to be at the wedding, how Mark is uncomfortable with the whole wedding ceremony itself, the idea of tons of people watching a very private moment of committment between two people, so we both agreed a small wedding of family and very close friends only, in a small church, probably in Jefferson so his grandmother is more likely to be able to make it. Otherwise, I suggested we go from the church to his aunt's house with the pastor, and then have the ceremony again, just for his grandmother. This means a lot to me too, since she's a wonderful woman, and I no longer have a grandmother. So all these discussions, and then it hit me that Mark and I have NEVER had the dicussion of "where are we in the relationship?". It's always just happened. We are so completely on the same page in that respect, ever since the fall when I finally let my guard down and gave Mark my heart.
However, to those who are quick to jump to conclusions: we are not engaged and have no immediate plans to become engaged. I need to be independent financially for myself first, and that's what this next year will bring. And Mark completely agrees with me. :)
Wow, sorry, I'll move on to last night: I truly enjoyed senior dinner. It was so nice having it off-campus and at such a classy venue. Made it truly special. I sat at a table with Dean Syverson and Prof Michael Orr. Orr was hilarious, and I enjoyed talking with him in-depth about my teaching plans, how I want to combine history with art history and anthropology in my curriculum, etc. Orr was very excited about that idea. I also had a nice chat with Michael, a guy I haven't seen since freshman year. Glick's speech was hilarious, and I am very pleased with Warch's ability to make fun of himself and his less-than-popular decisions from the last year or two. And the t-shirt with Warch stopping bullets (Matrix style) is hilarious. Anyways, I guess you had to be there.
Afterwards, walked back with Chip and Jamie, then Jamie and I headed to the VR. We talked with some people. I felt really out of place. Most of my friends weren't there that are seniors, and the majority of my friends are juniors or graduated last year anyways. So a bit awkward for me. I did indulge and go beyond my 2 drink limit with a Guiness. Enjoyed seeing Tim and Robin. I love those two. It's amazing to think I've been buddies with them since freshman year. Left early and was in bed by 10:30pm, since any amount of alcohol makes me sleepy, and I also haven't slept well for the past three nights, being woken up by people refusing to observe quiet hours.
I must say I am EXTREMELY HAPPY my room went un-touched. I know it's a tradition, and it'd be fun if it were something like decorating the room with streamers and balloons and such, or the time in high school when I was going through a rough time (friend died in a plane crash, anyone remember Alaska flight 261?) and my two closest friends had my twin brother let me in to my room when I was at basketball practice and they "heart-attacked" my room. Little cut-out hearts with encouraging messages were EVERYWHERE along with candy and balloons. It was a mess, but a good mess and I cried because I felt so loved and it meant so much. On the flip side, if I'd found my room a shambles with shaving cream and saran wrap, I would probably have cried out of frustration and annoyance. My life is just too high-stress to have time to deal with re-cleaning my room. Hmm...sorry...didn't mean for this to be a soap-box! I just am musing on the events of the past 24 hours.
Anyways, I digress...time to dress and re-enter the world of the living after sleeping through class this morning. :)
I called in my decision to take the teaching position in Milwaukee. What a relief! I have a job, but not only that, it's EXACTLY the job I've wanted so desperately and have been working towards ever since the Newberry helped me realize I would rather concentrate my talents and energy on working directly with the students, not holed up in libraries doing research and worying about publishing enough for tenure.
As I was dressing for senior dinner, Mark dropped by. He'd been at his doctor's downtown getting checked out since he's diabetic and had that ambulance visit three weeks ago. The doctor wasn't surprised. Apparently most diabetics that are Type 2 get visited by the EMTs at least 3-4 times a year. Mark's pattern seems to be every other year. So he's a very healthy diabetic! Anyways, he was very sweet, gave me advice on how I looked, and walked me over to the bus pick-up. I love that man! Tuesday night we actually got into a long 2 hour discussion about marriage, and it was the most natural discussion, flowed very freely. We began discussing where to have the wedding, and that it'd be very special if his grandmother who has difficulty leaving his aunt's house, would be able to be at the wedding, how Mark is uncomfortable with the whole wedding ceremony itself, the idea of tons of people watching a very private moment of committment between two people, so we both agreed a small wedding of family and very close friends only, in a small church, probably in Jefferson so his grandmother is more likely to be able to make it. Otherwise, I suggested we go from the church to his aunt's house with the pastor, and then have the ceremony again, just for his grandmother. This means a lot to me too, since she's a wonderful woman, and I no longer have a grandmother. So all these discussions, and then it hit me that Mark and I have NEVER had the dicussion of "where are we in the relationship?". It's always just happened. We are so completely on the same page in that respect, ever since the fall when I finally let my guard down and gave Mark my heart.
However, to those who are quick to jump to conclusions: we are not engaged and have no immediate plans to become engaged. I need to be independent financially for myself first, and that's what this next year will bring. And Mark completely agrees with me. :)
Wow, sorry, I'll move on to last night: I truly enjoyed senior dinner. It was so nice having it off-campus and at such a classy venue. Made it truly special. I sat at a table with Dean Syverson and Prof Michael Orr. Orr was hilarious, and I enjoyed talking with him in-depth about my teaching plans, how I want to combine history with art history and anthropology in my curriculum, etc. Orr was very excited about that idea. I also had a nice chat with Michael, a guy I haven't seen since freshman year. Glick's speech was hilarious, and I am very pleased with Warch's ability to make fun of himself and his less-than-popular decisions from the last year or two. And the t-shirt with Warch stopping bullets (Matrix style) is hilarious. Anyways, I guess you had to be there.
Afterwards, walked back with Chip and Jamie, then Jamie and I headed to the VR. We talked with some people. I felt really out of place. Most of my friends weren't there that are seniors, and the majority of my friends are juniors or graduated last year anyways. So a bit awkward for me. I did indulge and go beyond my 2 drink limit with a Guiness. Enjoyed seeing Tim and Robin. I love those two. It's amazing to think I've been buddies with them since freshman year. Left early and was in bed by 10:30pm, since any amount of alcohol makes me sleepy, and I also haven't slept well for the past three nights, being woken up by people refusing to observe quiet hours.
I must say I am EXTREMELY HAPPY my room went un-touched. I know it's a tradition, and it'd be fun if it were something like decorating the room with streamers and balloons and such, or the time in high school when I was going through a rough time (friend died in a plane crash, anyone remember Alaska flight 261?) and my two closest friends had my twin brother let me in to my room when I was at basketball practice and they "heart-attacked" my room. Little cut-out hearts with encouraging messages were EVERYWHERE along with candy and balloons. It was a mess, but a good mess and I cried because I felt so loved and it meant so much. On the flip side, if I'd found my room a shambles with shaving cream and saran wrap, I would probably have cried out of frustration and annoyance. My life is just too high-stress to have time to deal with re-cleaning my room. Hmm...sorry...didn't mean for this to be a soap-box! I just am musing on the events of the past 24 hours.
Anyways, I digress...time to dress and re-enter the world of the living after sleeping through class this morning. :)