Getting My Associate's Degree

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On June 8, 2002, two days before both of my final exams, I participated in the graduation ceremonies of Glendale Community College.  I was almost hesitant to celebrate completely.  I still had a lot of studying to do and two finals to take.  I had to pass my finals in order to pass my classes.  But with everyone who came to see me, I couldn't help but be jovial, and I earned my degree with minimal trouble.

For me, the day begins and ends with the look on my face in this photo.  I look like the cat that swallowed the canary for several reasons: my favorite folks were in the stands watching, I was finally graduating, and I was moving on to an even bigger place.  It was a great feeling.

This is the first graduation ceremony my mom got to attend since I was in the ninth grade, since I didn't attend my high school graduation, and she gave me proud looks the whole time.  That made all of the hassle worth it.  

Mr. and Mrs. Fiske are some of our oldest family friends, seeing as how Mr. Fiske was one of my mom's teachers growing up.  They helped us a lot as I was growing up and it was wonderful to have them with us on the big day.  In a way, a graduation is like a birth - it's something that people want to celebrate and be a part of.  It makes family and friends feel good, especially if they've helped you succeed.  I didn't realize that half as well as I did when I got my AA.

Kimba and Vince are some of my favorite people and they have been since I first met them when I was seventeen.  They made the trek out to the ceremony and that made my day.

My boyfriend sits below me in this picture.  Next to us are Mike and Helen, who were part of a group of friends at my school called the Freaks' Corner.  Mike and Helen spent many a day hanging out with me between classes and I was glad Helen graduated with me.  My boyfriend got to know most of the Freaks by default, and he fit right in.

Mary was a fellow Freak and a wonderful, down-to-earth, salt of the earth lady.  I wish I hadn't fallen out of touch with her; she was a breath of fresh air.

Robert and Niki are my peeps!  Can you tell they were excited?  

Ye olde graduation dinner party.  We went to a cozy little place near my house called Grinder's, and I wish that restaurant had never closed.  In the back row are Robert, myself and Vince.  Below are Nikki, Sarah and Kimba from left to right.  We had a nice, long meal full of laughter.  Some of us then went to see Star Wars Episode II at the Mann Theater a few blocks away - oh for the days when I hardly needed to drive!