Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Walk That Walk

-Mom, dad, and my fancy, $10,000 velvet hood.-

Yes, it's good to walk that walk you walk so well.

After three years of going to school at night, spending my weekends cramming and studying, pouring over research, being mummified in yellow and red tape, tutoring, teaching, and writing thousands of pages in papers. Years of trying to cram it into my work life, blogging life, cooking life, writing career. 40+ hours a week of mind numbing study. I am finally approaching graduation.

Due to the fire I won't have my thesis finished and turned in until late August. Still, the major course work is done and a finished draft -so far a 100+ page document examining the exclusionary rhetoric of the Slow Food movement - is now in the hands of the noble, kind, sagacious, forgiving hands of my thesis advisers. Since all my friends were walking and I had the course work done and yes, I was supposed to have the thesis done originally by now (again, fire), I went and walked.

The degree is so close to being in my hands I can almost grab hold. By the end of summer I'll be able to update my facebook status and resume to read, MA graduate in English Composition from California State University, Sacramento. I'm looking forward to buying a neat little frame for the diploma.

My family came up to celebrate with me, which was wonderful as they live in Southern California and I so rarely get to see them except during Christmas. At first I was a little blase about the whole ordeal. Another walk. I did it before and this was more for my family than anything. However, once the robe was on with my fancy new velvet Master's hood I became a little excited. By the time they called my name and handed me my show-diploma (real ones get mailed) I was beaming, unable to even think straight. Holy crap. I was done. (Mostly.)

The pomp and circumstance was pompous and circumstantial, but beyond fun nonetheless. Afterwards, we all went to OneSpeed pizza, my usual restaurant hangout in Sac where the manager and my friend, Michael, had a bottle of Champagne waiting for us to toast. The whole day was exhausting and wonderful. All I could think was, "Done."

Now I realize that the end really is in sight. I almost have my Master's. What are my plans now once it's all done? To begin, no, I do not have plans to go back for a PhD. anytime soon. I would rather saw my fingers off with a rusty steak knife. At some point I plan to look for work teaching community college, or teaching ESL classes, or even perhaps working at a private school. Though before any of that I think I'll take some time outside of the classroom to do a bit of writing and explore some areas of interest. I want to pursue a few dreams and fancies before I nail myself down anywhere.

It's all very up in the air as, for the first time in years, I suddenly have time on my hands. I'm a little lost as to what to do with it all. Re-establishing my social life and having many dirty martinis and sidecars are at the top of my list. Probably a lot more cooking and blogging too.

Thank God.

25 comments:

  1. Congratulations! I think that it's awfully nice to have a ceremony as a capstone to the enormous amount of work one does in grad school. Plus it makes the family happy.

    I'm still working my way through a PhD at the moment. You sure you don't want to remain in the cozy arms of grad school any longer? You get an even fancier robe and hood with a doctorate!

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  2. Congratulations! A Masters Degree is a huge achievement and you should be quite proud of yourself! Well done!

    Reba

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  3. Yay! Congratulations! Looking forward to hearing about your new adventures and lots more wacky cupcakes!

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  4. I can't wait to share in those Martini's and Sidecars... and since you've got so much time now, we should concoct some new cocktails to imbibe in too! Congrats again and it was great to see you!

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  5. Congratulations! On the degree and on having such a handsome family!

    That velvet hood feels niiiice doesn't it?

    Well done!!

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  6. Congratulations!! Well done!
    Dett

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  7. Congratulations! I am getting a PhD in English, and I remember that MA graduation as well! Awesome! Good luck with the thesis!

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  8. Very cool, congratulations! You have a lot to be proud of.

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  9. Yes, college is definitely worth finishing. Especially for the post-grad sidecars!

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  10. Congrats! A lot of hard work but it's over (almost) now.Enjoy your Summer.

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  11. Congratulations!!! Cheers to this huge milestone!

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  12. Congratulations! And how nice to have your parents to celebrate with you.

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  13. Congratulations on your awesome accomplishment!
    After all your hard work I think you should walk the walk and enjoy the ceremony.
    Enjoy having a bit more time this summer to try out lots of frosty cocktails :)

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  14. Very exciting! It has been a pleasure to read your blog as you have galloped on through your graduate school experience!

    I would say lots of drinking and decadence is in order!

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  15. Although I am a huge fan of yours, I have yet to post. After reading about your "walk" I could not resist. I, too, am working on a masters (a MS in Clinical Counseling). I cannot wait for my "walk." By the way, I very much enjoy reading your blog. Congratulations, again!

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  16. Congrats! In addition to "done" you can also say "next!"

    Great job, keep up the great work until the finish line. Your almost there!

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  17. Congratulations!!! I just got my Master's this past April. YAYYYYY!!! I'm so glad some of your friends came up to visit you to celebrate. You have nice friends. :) I felt the same way during the walk...when it was my turn to walk, it was just all a blur. But at least you got a fake diploma. We didn't. But I guess at Florida State, there are just WAYYYYY too many people. They have to split up spring graduation into three separate graduations.

    Anyway...CONGRATS!

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  18. What an accomplishment! You are, as you always have been, gonna ROCK it! I raise my glass (or rather, my office coffee mug) in your direction. Congratulations!

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  19. Congratulations! You definitely should celebrate such a great accomplishment :)

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  20. Not to be creepy internet stranger: but my you are an attractive young man!

    Congrats!

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  21. Congrats Garrett!! Glad you'll have more time to blog now. :)

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  22. Congrats on your huge achievement! So nice that you are taking time to enjoy and try out a few more things, inside and outside of the kitchen! Looking forward to reading about both.
    Jessica

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  23. "I would rather saw my fingers off with a rusty steak knife"

    I can relate!! I've finished the course work for my masters in French Lit--haven't started my thesis yet. I have little to no desire to get my PhD. I thought I did when I started but that's pretty much dead!

    Congratulations! I can't wait for my ceremony!

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~Garrett