And so it begins...

I figured such a momentous occasion as college graduation deserved me finally setting up my own blog. While grateful for those who have pushed me into this blogging world (Cyrus) I figured it was about time I attemtped to stand on my own two feet.

Saturday I graduated from Taylor University. It was my last and final day as a student. Well, at least for the time being. I left a place I had grown to love over the past four years. A place of many joys, triumphs, heartaches, tears, and wonderful memories. Graduation was the perfect conclusion to that time. It was a delicate closure to a time beyond description. And now I have left that haven of sorts. I have left those girls that had become my sisters, my teammates, my math majors, and the professors that cared more than I imagined. Dr. Benbow put things very nicely during our commencement breakfast before the ceremony on Saturday. He said our class was about community, contributing to the department, and acting as a liason beyond Taylor. Of course, he presented it much more eloquently than I can replicate.

As we lined up in the indoor track for our procession, I got such a huge smile out of our behavior. The 9 or so of us math majors, being the close-knit bunch that we are, had to have those last minute graduation pictures together. Naturally, we were the only major to do so. I can honestly say that I never would have made it through without them. Of course, it was only made better by the fact that I got to graduate right next to some of my best friends.

After the ceremony I had the chance to see the faces that had the most impact on my during my time at Taylor. I was reminded of their influence and how they made me smile and grow. Then "the fam" (Rach, Deb, Mark, SJ, Jacob, Vanna, Neil, and I) and our real families headed off to Exit 59 Church where we partook in some catered Fazoli's in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Again, it was probably the perfect ending to the day.

Fastforward just a bit... here I am, sitting back home in MI. It's Tuesday evening and I'm just over 72 hours removed from Upland. It's the first time I've been home since Christmas and I'd forgotten how much I missed MI- and home. It's strange to have my heart so much in two different places. But I think it has helped me appreciate each all the more. Of course, I'm also in a strange place right now. I am a college graduate, but as my dad so keenly likes to say, I'm "in the ranks of the unemployed". No summer job. No teaching job. Many pieces still need to fall into place. It's taking a whole lot of trust, but I think at least the pieces are beginning to take on a vague form. For now, I'm waiting on my IN teaching license to be processed. The next step after that is to apply for my MI teaching certificate. After that, well... hopefully find a district that wants me!

In the midst of the utter uncertainty, there is profound peace.

Tomorrow Kirstin has her senior walk. Thursday she has her AP Stats exam and grandma flies in from PA! The next two weeks are going to be a whirlwind of activity- applying for jobs, unpacking and packing simultaneously, helping Kirstin with graduation festivities, and celebrating my birthday and two graduations. At least life is never boring with the Hegeleins!