Call Me Master

Yesterday I graduated. It was incredible to be led by Scottish Bagpipes through the crowd of friends and families of the 2008 graduates into the outdoor, Harper quadrangle of campus. We were surrounded by ivy covered halls and a sense of the tradition that continued in the 494th convocation at the University of Chicago. The ceremony lasted about 2 hours. The speaker seemed to have a bit of a liberal agenda--OK, overtly so. But it was soon forgotten. It was forgettable. They honored one of my professors for excellence in graduate teaching, among a handful of others. They read each of our names as we walked to receive our diploma from the President of the University before the bagpipes led us out of the Harper quadrangle into the main quad and around the roundabout. It was good. It was memorable.

We then took pictures and convened at a champagne reception for my program and our neighboring MAPPS program, another social sciences program. The night was completed by dinner at Maggianos with my family, Courtney, and my aunt, uncle and cousins. It's an amazing Italian restaurant here in Chicago. We had a great time. The day was good.

Awkward Week Update

The last week has been weird. I've been so used to being busy and overwhelmed with classes and a thesis, it's been a dramatic turn of events to feel so overwhelmingly bored. I have managed to keep myself occupied for the most part--finishing the new trim for my aunt and uncle's new window, finally installing the towel racks that have been sitting in boxes outside my room for the last six months, packing things to move home, running, lifting, and watching a lot of the Euro 2008 soccer tournament on ESPN360.com. Oh yeah, and I'm trying to start reading "Moby Dick." I feel like with all of this time, I should be posting on my blog more regularly, but I haven't felt that inspired to write without too much going on. I haven't really known what to do with myself.

But, there should be a lot to come. My uncle, cousins and I will be heading to the city to explore a bit tomorrow morning, so that will be fun. My family and Courtney arrive on Thursday, and My graduation ceremony is Friday--an outdoor ceremony on a potentially rainy afternoon, yikes. Sunday, I move home! There's plenty more to come.

Finally, today is Courtney's birthday! My beautiful girlfriend of more than two years, today is 22 years old! She has to work most of the day, but if you think of it, those of you who know her should e-mail or text her if you can. I know she would greatly appreciate it. Happy Birthday, Babe!

El Fin... for now

As of 1:20 PM, yesterday, June 4, 2008, I am done. The whirlwind of the last 9 months has seemed to come to an abrupt end. Now, I am leisurely enjoying the Semi-finals of the French Open without the guilt of required reading and papers hanging over my head--a new reality to which I am still adjusting. The next week will involve packing and preparing to go home. The Graduation ceremony is a week from tomorrow, for which my family and Courtney will be here. Then i will return home to keep up the job hunt. I'm still in the process of applying to the CNA Corporation (www.cna.org) in Alexandria, Virginina, which seems to be promising. But I will pursue other avenues as well. I think it will be nice to return home for a little R & R before heading off into the next adventure.

So Close and Feeling so Far

So I have two papers to complete and I'm done... well, one now really. I have a paper due on Tue. this week, which is pretty much done, and another on Wednesday which I am trying to write now. But writing these papers has felt like I'm pulling out my own teeth, to add to the euphemism. I feel like I'm forcing myself to write and fighting the urge to just fill space with words that appear to make sense but really accomplish nothing for showing actual thought and effort. What compels me is the desire to finish well... that and each of these papers alone is responsible for the grade I receive in each of these classes. Is this 'senioritis?' Why does this happen? Thoughts, please?

International Olympic

I went out with a majority of my CIR colleagues to see improv at International Olympic (IO) in Wrigleyville on Saturday night. It was good to hang out with everyone. The improv was surprisingly good as well. I still need to check out Second City to compare. Anyway, below is a link to some pictures from the Saturday evening, both at dinner and the show. Cheers!

http://flickr.com/photos/joshuaswu/sets/72157605262896970/

I love this guy

The Monkey's Off My Back!

So life has been crazy. I was back in Nebraska the weekend before last for Courtney's UNL graduation. I drove back to Chicago last Monday and arrived Monday night to attend an information session for a potential job and class on Tuesday. Tuesday night I did laundry and packed again to fly BACK to Nebraska on Wed. night for my littlest sister's high school graduation. (I had booked the tickets weeks ago). First though, I had an interview at 9:00 AM on Wednesday for said potential job on U of C campus (the Center for Naval Analysis (CNA) in Alexandria, Virginia... it went well I think). The interview finished at 10:00, in time for me to make my 3-hour, 10:30 class. I had lunch and made my way by bus to the airport from campus. My flight was delayed an hour, but mind you I had a thesis due on Friday--I needed all the spare time I could manage. Courtney picked me up at the airport in Omaha and we made our way back to Lincoln.

Thursday and Friday were mostly comprised of feverish writing and editing. I finished my thesis and sent it via e-mail to my faculty adviser and preceptor at 4:00 on Friday in time to pack up my things and meet a friend at 4:30 to give me a ride back to Norfolk. IT'S DONE!! The weekend was full of graduation open house preparations, the open house on Sat. evening, and the graduation on Sunday--though the pace and work were much more enjoyable. It was really good to be home. Courtney was able to join us in Norfolk by Sat. evening and she took me to the airport on Monday of this week to return to some normalcy here in Chicago. Sheesh. I now have two papers to complete for each of my remaining courses in the next two weeks and then I'm done!! Can you believe it? Graduation's June 13th! The fam and Court will be driving over here for my Graduation weekend and then... I don't know yet. I'm still waiting to here about the CNA job and I need to apply a few other places. I'll do my best to keep you updated. Right now, I need to start a paper. Cheers!