Graduation and next steps

In 2002 I was getting ready to graduate from high school and contemplating colleges.  I really wanted to go to Cal Poly with my sister and major in Party Planning aka Recreation Administration.  Instead I went to Davis for Sociology via Atmospheric Science.  Fast-forward 11 years to my graduation with my MBA, my advising professor came up to my parents to tell them how proud they should be of me, sure of my academic success, but really because of my role of Vice President of the business social club.  The president and I really took the Association of Graduate Business Students to the next level. Can you say full circle?  The next day, at my graduation party, they met my water aerobics instructor, he let them know that I am the best in the class, the one who follows directions (also the only student under 50).   So really I’m not sure why went to grad school but evidently I learned to throw a good mixer and follow directions – two very practical skills.  I also mastered painting my own nails since my budget cut out manicures.  

Here are pictures of me with my parents and with Julie and Stella, who flew out for my graduation.   

 

These are before I actually graduated so I’m not wearing my whole costume, but you can watch a fascinating video of me walking across a stage here: Joy Graduating and get the whole effect without the terrible speeches. 

Since graduation I’ve been in recovery mode and adjusting to a life without the guilt of procrastination. I’ve been working some at my same job but haven’t made that a very high priority (maybe tomorrow?).  On Friday I’m going to San Diego, then Mexico and Concord before I head back to Albuquerque on June 14^th.  Then I’ll start my job as Associate Director of the after school program I’ve been working for, MATCHnm.org.  I’ve gotten over the anxiety of working full-time again and trust the Lord will build in enough interaction with other people to keep me sane while working primarily from home.  My goal is to stay with that job for 1 year and then do something else, preferably in the Bay Area.  But that is total speculation.  I am really blessed to have a job lined up and am reminded of that whenever I talk to my friends who are in the search. 

Overall the land of enchantment is still enchanting and God has blessed me greatly.  I’m not quite sure if I’m old yet, but still I’ve been reflecting on Psalm 37:25 today: “I have been young, and now am old; yet have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendents begging bread.”