Walk That Walk

-Mom, dad, and my fancy, $10,000 velvet hood.-

Yes, it's good to walk that walk you walk so well.

After three years of going to school at night, spending my weekends cramming and studying, pouring over research, being mummified in yellow and red tape, tutoring, teaching, and writing thousands of pages in papers. Years of trying to cram it into my work life, blogging life, cooking life, writing career. 40+ hours a week of mind numbing study. I am finally approaching graduation.

Due to the fire I won't have my thesis finished and turned in until late August. Still, the major course work is done and a finished draft -so far a 100+ page document examining the exclusionary rhetoric of the Slow Food movement - is now in the hands of the noble, kind, sagacious, forgiving hands of my thesis advisers. Since all my friends were walking and I had the course work done and yes, I was supposed to have the thesis done originally by now (again, fire), I went and walked.

The degree is so close to being in my hands I can almost grab hold. By the end of summer I'll be able to update my facebook status and resume to read, MA graduate in English Composition from California State University, Sacramento. I'm looking forward to buying a neat little frame for the diploma.

My family came up to celebrate with me, which was wonderful as they live in Southern California and I so rarely get to see them except during Christmas. At first I was a little blase about the whole ordeal. Another walk. I did it before and this was more for my family than anything. However, once the robe was on with my fancy new velvet Master's hood I became a little excited. By the time they called my name and handed me my show-diploma (real ones get mailed) I was beaming, unable to even think straight. Holy crap. I was done. (Mostly.)

The pomp and circumstance was pompous and circumstantial, but beyond fun nonetheless. Afterwards, we all went to OneSpeed pizza, my usual restaurant hangout in Sac where the manager and my friend, Michael, had a bottle of Champagne waiting for us to toast. The whole day was exhausting and wonderful. All I could think was, "Done."

Now I realize that the end really is in sight. I almost have my Master's. What are my plans now once it's all done? To begin, no, I do not have plans to go back for a PhD. anytime soon. I would rather saw my fingers off with a rusty steak knife. At some point I plan to look for work teaching community college, or teaching ESL classes, or even perhaps working at a private school. Though before any of that I think I'll take some time outside of the classroom to do a bit of writing and explore some areas of interest. I want to pursue a few dreams and fancies before I nail myself down anywhere.

It's all very up in the air as, for the first time in years, I suddenly have time on my hands. I'm a little lost as to what to do with it all. Re-establishing my social life and having many dirty martinis and sidecars are at the top of my list. Probably a lot more cooking and blogging too.

Thank God.