G.R.A.D.U.A.T.I.O.N!

Hey everyone! Last night marked the ultimate rite of passage...high school graduation. This whole last week has been crazy irritating! For example, Distribution Day where seniors pick up their graduation materials. It started at 10 and I didn't get out until 1...sunburned, hungry, everyone was on edge! 

Although, I have to say yesterday was definitely fun, excited and still a little crazy. It began with a bright and early wake-up call at 6am! Then, my grandmother posting old pictures, actually incredibly sweet but some embarrassing...shall I recall the bridal veil when I was in Tennessee and lookin' like I'm crazy...then Graduation Rehearsal, lunch, light shopping and eventually Graduation. 

Here are a few pictures: 

 This first picture is from Graduation Rehearsal, his smile just kills me every time we take a picture...

                                             
                                        Probably my favorite picture from yesterday..(above)

These pictures were from a pre-graduation celebration in Seal Beach when my entourage, AJ and his mother,  all out to lunch. 

This was the very beginning of the ceremony. I couldn't wear my cap because I had decorated it (which wasn't allowed) and the gold sash was for AP classes. It was cool to wear but I have taken more than one AP class, AP Euro (10th grade), APUSH and AP Lit (11th grade) and this year AP Gov..

These are some of the most important individuals in my life, individuals I couldn't live without..The Kania's and Cook's who raised me and helped me throughout my entire life. If there was every anyone to dish embarrassing kid details, it would be them. My friend Jo who although I didn't know very well just a few months ago, has believed in me from the beginning and fought for me until the end.

There are countless others in my life that I would have wished to have been there. Thank you to Mrs. and Mr. Ruger. From the moment I met y'all I felt immediately at home. Mrs. Ruger, I have never met anyone so sweet and that I always have fun hanging out with! Zack (AJ's brother) and Mr. Ruger, I am always laughing and full of joy because you guys are hilarious! 

 My Dad was able to make it and see me graduate! Really special since this is the first school event he could come and watch. I am thankful for the opportunity, this past year to start building a relationship. As a friend and eventually a father and daughter.

This is a picture I like to call our "After Prom", all messy from a busy senior event weekend but excitement for the events yet to come. Also ended up getting sick that week and started finals, those being the less exciting events.

Now, that high school is over and as the days pass, my excitement for Mary Baldwin, Virginia and college builds! I'm building a new (mostly winter) wardrobe, applying to jobs and scholarships so tuition and books are out of the way, planning fun summer events (my favorite being the Orange County Fair!!!) and finding cute decor for my dorm.

California will always be a part of me because I have individuals and relationships that mean the world to me here and this is where I grew up. Although, DC is my city. And I am more than ready to take it by storm....