Pigs Have Flown

After much high anticipation...
5 years later...
Many sleepless nights...
Lots of homework...

MANDY FINALLY GRADUATED!!!!

That's right!!! I have finally graduated from GRAD school...for those who don't know...with my MSW (Master of Social Work). It's been a long journey, but well worth it. I have many thanks to send out to my friends and family who have been a HUGE support system. There's no way I could have made it this far without all of you.

Here is a re-cap of the exhausting, but gratifying weekend.

So, although official commencement graduation was Saturday, May 17th, the School of Social Work holds their mini graduation, aka "Hooding Ceremony"...that's right, I have a hood (because a cape would be too obvious)...


Here's the hood...pretty cool, huh?!

Here's Riley helping me get ready...it wouldn't be graduation without her!!!




Here's one of my favorite professors...he's been one of my biggest supporters of the years...I don't think I would be the social worker I am today without his guidance...I know I wouldn't have made it through the past year without his (and the school's) support. Thank you Will!





Here's Jim...my practicum supervisor from the ACT Team...I learned SO much from him and everyone else there...thanks for a great experience guys!!

Here's me and Riley with my mom and the following picture is with my Grandma...that's right...that's where I get my good looks from...

Here I am with Robin...another amazing, supportive, influential teacher...thanks for everything Robin...





So...since I didn't "walk the line" last year I did it this year. The following day, Saturday, was another CRAZY day. Here we are on the way to commencement...YEAH!!



Here I am...the one in the middle...do you see me??




Here we are...three hours later...basking in the glow of the sun and my NEW degree...It was tiring, can you tell??




So, after the commencement, and a long nap, we went back to my house for my graduation party...isn't my cake cool?? Too bad I wasn't really in Hawaii or some tropical paradise to celebrate (miss you Kristin).





Aaahhhh...as usual...the whole weekend went by in a blur...only to be followed by starting a new job first thing Monday morning...that's right...I got a job...YEAH...see me for more juicy details...until then...