I've Gradu-a-mated!

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind. We've gotten the new keys to our shiny new apartment (we're moving this weekend, so updates soon!), my folks came to visit, I finished my classes, and I graduated this past Saturday!!

Officially, Cameron and I have been in Los Angeles for 11 months and 8 days. How bizarre is it that I've already graduated in such a short time?! Graduating this time was definitely the most fun for me. It was outdoors at one of my favorite spots on campus, sunny with a nice breeze, and all of my cohort-mates were there to celebrate as well. Most of my group had decorated our caps, and it was apparent that our program was the most outgoing of all the programs in our department (we had the most decorated caps, we brought snacks for the ceremony, and when the ceremony closed, we finished it off with a rousing 8-Clap. Linked is my favorite video, and here are directions if you are itching to learn the 8-Clap.)

One of the traditions I like here (meaning SoCal) is that leis are given out as a part of the graduation hooplah. My supervisors in the Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs office gave me a kukui nut lei with UCLA colored ribbons on it. So cute! Many of my cohort had the traditional orchid lei- you don't see these on the East Coast!

I can't believe it's already over!

Best source of support I had all year-- this guy! 

The epitome of my artsiness- my graduation cap! A few girls in my cohort and I had a graduation cap decorating party; lots of fun and laughter. 

Here's the biggest difference between a Bachelors and a Masters gown- the hood. The light blue signifies the department, in this case, Education (my English one is white), and the lining reflects the school's colors.