It’s Official… I’m an Unofficial College Graduate!
Sunday afternoon, I joined the ranks of the elite, obtaining my college degrees in Multimedia/Web Development and Computer Graphic Design.  Well, actually they just handed me an empty binder to put my diploma in once I actually earn it.  I still have to pass my classes this week.  Yes, they put graduation before finals, but I guess it’s understandable; otherwise everyone would want to take off when tests were done, especially with Christmas break approaching.  Sunday around 12:30, Mom, Dad, and Peyton came to Madison and we ate at Dairy Queen, where Peyton sobbed and fingered up the window with her tears.  Evidently she was homesick, as Jordan passed her off to the grandparents as she prepared for finals week at USD.  At 2pm, the graduation ceremony began, where all 100 or so grads walked through line to the occasional cheer from the crowd.  I heard a scattered applause for my name, but later on, everyone insisted they had cheered for me.  Other notable names to graduate included Amanda, Nick, Mark Theisen, Andrew Murphy, Doug Wire, Craig, Jeff White, Tate Uecker, Matt Brinkman, Kristin Kirkeby, and Brooke Bappe. After the ceremony was complete, we moved next door to the Playhouse for the reception.  Mom, Dad, and Peyton had the chance to meet many of my friends, professors such as Brad Hesser and Tom Jones, and other parents, such as the Geditzes, the Sandbultes, and even the Irvins (Chris Ahrendt’s fiance’s family).  

Grad Weekend = Much Partying
It seemed all of DSU wanted nothing more than to cut loose the weekend before finals and have a few toddies.  Thursday and Friday night, I was at Fat Daddy’s with Derrick Geiszler to sing karaoke.  Saturday night, the crowd was at Rumor’s at first, where the owner bought us all a round.  Later, we moved onto our usual hangout, The Cocktail, where Doug Wire, Cooney, Steph Sherbourne, and I played the card game “hockey” while having a few drinks.  Craig was a bit intoxicated that night, and came up with a legendary quote in a conversation with Doug.  “We’re gonna graduate the shit outta each other tomorrow!” Craig yelled, then proceeded to dive head-first over several empty barstools, which fell over and caused a scene.  The biggest event of the weekend was the after-graduation party at Jeff White and Tate Uecker’s house, where two free kegs were on hand for the evening.  I showed up alone around 8 to see what was happening, and before long, I was talked into a game of Quarters, where teams race to flip quarters into the cups, etc.  I’m sure you don’t need to be told how drinking games work.  Later, I joined another group for more (drinking) games, including my personal favorite, Categories.  With lots of fellow grads and friends there, it was a good time.

Top Ten List | Today’s Topic: Things I’m Most Concerned with Right Now
1. Finding a job.
2. Passing my SAD and Quantitative Methods finals.
3. Updating the website with new interview, log, and photos.
4. What I want to eat for dinner today.
5. Paying bills.
6. What to do in Madison for a week between finals and Christmas.
7. Buying Christmas gifts.
8. Getting a haircut.
9. Whether or not to keep the tablet PC from DSU.
10. Finding an apartment/place to live after graduation.

Well that is all for today.

Ryan