Sunday, May 16, 2010

4,2,1...Go!!

Hey Everyone!
It's incredible how fast time truly flies. The title to this post are three numbers that I will now explain:

When I began writing this blog, it was one o clock on the dot. The number four represents the four weeks exactly to the hour when I will be wearing that black gown and cap, stole, and 2010 tassel, walking down that aisle to receive that blank piece of paper that represents my work these past four years at a university. Because the University has to review all candidates for a degree, I won't even be seeing my actual diploma until six months down the road. What's even more interesting, is I won't even be the first to see it. I'll be south of the equator doing God knows what in the new adventure I will be undertaking. My parents will be the first to see my diploma and to be quite honest, I wouldn't want it any other way. After all, it was because of them that I did it and made it through. Because of their generosity, love, and dedication, I was able to receive a college education. I am so grateful and indebted to my parents for their hard work in raising me and giving me the opportunity to go to school. My diploma they said, is my way of saying thank you to them. Mom and Dad, thank you for all your hard work and guidance for getting me through! I am forever endebted to you and I love you very much! Thank you for this opportunity; now what am I supposed to do with a degree in Classical History? (Any ideas?)

It is hard to imagine saying goodbye to a community that has become my home for the past couple years. I have met such wonderful people and have come to love the beauty of Santa Barbara and its rich history and people. I created a 'bucket list' of sorts at the beginning of the year on things that I still needed to see and do before leaving Santa Barbara. I still have a few on the list to accomplish. I welcome any and all new ideas as well as invite my fellow graduating friends as company who would like to join me on making our last few weeks here in SB the best!

The number four also represents the percentage toward my financial goal that I need to meet before leaving for my mission trip to Ecuador for a year. Because of these four individuals thus far, they are helping to make a reality come true! It is getting scary though on how I will make the goal of $10,000 a reality. It is simply a large number to raise, but in reality, it is not a lot of money to help sustain an annual living allowance. It's pittance and poverty. Living for a year in a developing country will be a most humbling experience. I will take on this new endeavor with humility and respect and will seek to learn about a new people and culture so different from my own and what I grew up with. I will continue my fundraising efforts with my home diocese in a few shorts weeks when I return home. I still have many meetings to attend, people to write to, and trainings galore before I leave. Please come say hi and goodbye before I leave to those of you who know me!

The number two represents the number of exams I have left in my undergraduate career as well as the final hurdles I must overcome in order to successfully complete my degree! Only two more exams, hard to believe with the countless number of exams I have taken thus far. I wonder if I will miss them? All I can say though is that when it comes to exams, I prefer written to multiple choice!

Finally, I have ONE (count 'em ONE!) paper to write (well, finish writing) this quarter before graduation day. The successful completion of these three tasks will ensure my graduation from the University of California Santa Barbara. I can remember thinking this day will never come, now I'm staring it in the face and it has come too fast. The irony of life. Something tells me though that the best is yet to come. I will always remember and cherish my time in college. The fantastic people, the great friends, raucous nights, social life, and great professors. There is nothing quite like college, but once through is enough for most people I'm sure. It's certainly how I feel. I do however have this feeling I will most likely go on to graduate school, but I'm told its another experience entirely and its further down the road if it does happen. For now, I'm content with parting ways with my undergraduate career and I am counting the days to the completion of college and to where the next exciting journey begins in South America! Continue to keep me company and I look forward to my next post!

Hasta Luego!