Amazing.  On August 4th, I graduated.  I officially finished on August 8th.  Here are some photos!

The weekend before graduation.  Lexi, D, and I tore up Great Lakes Crossing Mall
Love spending time with my kid sister
even if she cons me out of money 

Awwww, Lexi helping D feel better
She looks so grown-up, yet so tiny still

Making eggrolls! Thanks to Mom, Lexi & D for helping with the party!

Then... GRADUATION!!!

Me and Mommy right after I received my Order of the Engineer Certificate and ring

D and I said bye to my family and then we headed to Clayton's to predrink.  We stayed at the Marriot across from the Bob so that we didn't have to worry about driving that night.  He surprised me with a new Khaki Coach hobo purse and check wallet  (which I am not the type to ask for that-- he just got it and I love it!)  Then, after a bit, we walked across the street to meet up with my fellow Enginerds!

D, me, Ashley, and one of my best buddies, Corey

All the Engineering girls out for the celebration

I had a great time.  I think it was the first time in a LONG while that I don't remember ANYTHING from that night .  I think it was well deserved.  Sucked though because I was so tired from pulling several consecutive all-nighters that week.  D had to BEG me to dance and I fell asleep dancing!

Anyway, so I started working for a week and a half and now I'm on vacation!!! Here are some photos of fun times I've had...

Ran out of space for now, hehe.  Will add more tonight??

I am finally enjoying time out with my friends, guilt-free.  It is a huge stress reliever.  I don't go back to work until the 5th so my plans are to organize, clean, party, and RELAX!  The past couple of months were too much.  I was dealing with a lot in every corner of my life, but now I have a somewhat fresh start.  It's amazing what some time to yourself away from everyone and everything can do for you. 

I was told recently that my standards of people are too high, because no one will ever meet them.  I find that lowering them is too easy, but perhaps more realistic and attainable.  There are people out there who do what they have to do the right way.  They take care of their responsibilities and behave with respect.  Why is it that respect is not basic?  Why does it come with quid pro quo? Respect is important in my culture... it's not just "sir" and "thank you" or any other form of politeness.  It's a way of life. 

Unfortunately, I agree that I do hold people to high standards, but only because I hold myself to such high standards.  Simply put: If you break something that does not belong to you, you need to fix, replace, or find a way to ammend the damage.  If you owe money, you better pay it back and be thankful you're not dealing with mobsters who kill people for dumb "mistakes" like that.

I've learned after elementary school, middle school, high school, and now college... that no matter how old you are or where you are in life, the only person looking out for you is you (and my fam because they're down like that). Basically,

people suck.
and I must learn to accept it.

Categorized: Events, Partying, Thoughts