Living and Learning; Together: Graduated...for the third time.

No, that's not counting my high school graduation. I used to joke in high school that instead of a career that I would be a professional student. After three college degrees (2 Bachelors, and one associates) and the intent for another (Doctorate of Nursing Practice), I'm realizing that my joke may be a reality. Still, I'm glad my undergraduate portion is over. I'm looking forward to entering the graduate portion. Primary care provider has always been my end-game.

I digress, I'm sure you are less interested in my musings of past and future educational attainments than last Friday's graduation. Yes, I graduated from Weber State University on December 13th, 2013. I had to be specific because recently I found out just how minimalistic I kept the knowledge of my graduation date. KaLyn had to see a Facebook post; Kevin and Scott found out in Lorraine's weekly family news e-mail. I feel slightly bad that I wasn't more vocal about letting people know about the graduation.

Part of that is that until about a week prior to graduation I didn't intend on walking. I view this graduation as a milestone; not an ending. I had attended the full graduation at USU and felt that it was extremely long and boring. Upon reflection, and encouragement I finally decided to walk. The main factors were; one, it has actually been a long-time coming and I should celebrate that; two, with departmental honors, and a high gpa I would have a bunch of stuff around my neck and it's a way to brag through pictures without bragging overtly. Yea, I'm shallow like that sometimes.

As expected the ceremony was long. I was scared how Andrew would deal with being confined to one spot for three hours. I shouldn't have worried; Aunt Dejah attended the graduation. Between the books, puzzles, games, and even food Dejah made sure little Andrew and Elliot were rarely bored. For the times that Dejah was unable to entertain Andrew there were other amusements...such as the stadium stairs.

I also managed to stay awake, fortunately as it would turn out,

The keynote speaker graduated from WSU thirty-eight years ago. She told us that when she graduated she never would have imagined that she would be back as the speaker and receive an honorary doctorate. She stopped at that point and slowly asked,

"Now, which one of you will come back in forty years?"
"Let me give you some of my ideas..."

"Benjamin Stuart, he'll be back here. Where's Benjamin?"

Benjamin is slightly hyperventilating but raises his hand.

"Benjamin is going to create a ground-breaking patient care algorithm."

Benjamin is still speechless; apparently he is also on the jumbo-tron. Benjamin is still trying to figure out how the speaker knew his name much less his degree. Benjamin is slightly relieved as she goes on to mention another graduate.

Throughout the remainder of her speech the speaker continued to call out graduates names and make comments based upon their major. It's a novel way to make sure all the graduates are paying attention for sure.