Mission: Accomplished

Today I took the longest walk of my life across the stage of the Frank Erwin Center. I shook the hand of the dean and smiled out into the crowd. I'm done.
Two hours later...
The graduation ceremony for the UT College of Communication began at 3pm. I waited for 1.5 hours in the waiting room where all the college graduate candidates lined up. I didn't know anyone at first, except this guy who's face I knew from a class, but never really talked to. So I went over and introduced myself for a second time. He was a really nice guy after all, so I'm glad I went and spoke to him. Dean Ellen Wartella spoke first followed by TX State Senator Judith Zaffirini. As an advertising major, we were scheduled to walk the stage first. My card was number 119 out of I-don't-know-how-many advertising candidates. My friend Carisa was also graduating, which I had forgotten, and her number was 114, only 4 chairs away from mine. After walking across the stage, you have a feeling of elation, of completion, that lasts for about 30 minutes until you realize that you have gone on another hour since you've walked and there is still half of the program to go through. It was a very long ceremony, very very different from high school from where there were only 60 people and everyone's accomplishments were read and it only lasted maybe an hour. But when it was over, the accomplished feeling comes back, and you really do become proud of yourself. I mean, UT is a top school in the country after all. And the College of Communication is one of the best in the country. I have no regrets. All I have to do now is pass the advertising campaigns class during the second summer session and I will have a degree in Advertising with a concentration in Spanish. Y si, yo se que dicen, pero a mi, es muy dificil para responder muy rapidamente.
Afterwards I met up with my family and friends who could make it to take a few pictures. Then we all headed out to Buca di Beppo, a family style Italian eatery here in North Austin. It took 30 minutes to get out of the garage, so the table was ready for all 17 of us by the time my car got there. Pretty cool in that sense, I suppose. Dinner was excellent and the gifts were great! Mmmm Cheesecake!
I'm so glad and thankful for all the support from all of my friends and family. Thanks to Ricky, Melissa, Wolf, Druck, and Robert for making it out to the ceremony. I know it was extremely long, but it meant so much to me that y'all were there.
As for what's next....I have an internship this summer at a PR firm, and I'm looking for a part time morning job. I finish my class in July. That's when the real world shall hit. Hopefully it won't hit too too hard.