Yes, that's right. I am a graduate.

I did it! I graduated! This was a very bittersweet semester: so happy to finally graduate but it was such a good semester so it was hard to leave.

Please forgive me for all the details. This is where I journal.

All of the Mass Comm students. Half of the Humanities Dept.

I am really glad I decided to walk. I had heard a lot of people that said it was overrated but I thought it was worth it. A final culmination. And now I am the proud owner of a cap and gown. (anyone want to be Judge Judy for Halloween?)

I played a prank on my family and had my named announced as "Stephanie Snicklefritz Benson." My mom was laughing so hard she forgot to take pictures for the rest of the ceremony. Note: When I was younger I was sad I didn't have a middle name, so my mom called me Snicklefritz. I wrote it on everything like it was my middle name. So I thought it would be a funny tribute. When I told the announcer my name he just gave me a look like "Yeah, I am so sure that is your name." But he thankfully played along.




Even though I am a double major, I didn't get to walk twice. (um, hello. Twice the work, right?) Both of my majors were in the department of humanities, all in one ceremony. So to make up for it, I took another diploma holder when no one was looking. (my other diploma isn't going to hold itself)




Most of the fam made it out to the ceremony, and they humored me as we took pictures all over campus. (Yes, those are my wedding shoes. I wear them ALL the time.) We finished up with a celebration lunch at my favorite German restaurant, Siegfried's. Best. Bratwurst. Ever.

One of the funniest moments during the ceremony was when a distinguished alumni was being honored. The m.c. joked that the honoree's kids were attending University of Utah, Provo. Everyone laughed. (U of U, BYU humor and all) The best part was when my dad asked me where the U's Provo campus was. Nice. We couldn't stop laughing.



My number one supporter. I am a very needy studier, and Jacob spent many hours as a flash card technician.



We ended the day with a BBQ with family and friends and snow cones topped with sweetened condensed milk. (haven't tried it? You NEED to. So good.) There are too many pictures to share on the blog, but everything was red. Red balloons, strawberries in the water, red plates, etc. We finished up the party by my entire family falling asleep on the couch.

It panics me to not be a student. For the past five years that has been my identity. Now I am going to have to get real furniture, give up summer vacations and I won't be able to use the "I can't, I have to study" excuse to get out of things. (which usually was true) Now I guess it is time for me to become an adult, right?

The job search begins.