The weather was great for the drive in, and I had the windows and moon roof open for the traffic-free drive.  I arrived at work early enough to get a fantastic parking spot and a good breakfast (the cafeteria doesn’t make a ton of food, so if you don’t get it early, it’s gone).  I was even spared the usual irritation of a slow elevator ride (I work on the sixth floor, and I spend too much time in a silver box staring at lit up buttons).  The only other person on the elevator got on with me and got off at five - and she even flirted with me.  There was no actionable e-mail waiting for me.  I even ordered the boy two new toys.

Wow.  This feels good.

Amidst all of this, I’m coming to a great closure.  This month, I’m finally graduating from college.  If only I had the discipline to do this when I was 17, I would have had it much easier.  (And cheaper!)  I’m achieving this goal within my self-imposed time limit, so that feels pretty good, too.  It’s tough having a full-time job, a baby/toddler, a house and still take classes.  I started off taking one class per quarter, but it didn’t take long to realize that if I ever wanted to finish, I had to double up.  Some quarters have been easier than others.  One quarter, I actually thought I was going to have to withdraw from one class, but with the help of a tutor and an apparently wicked bell curve, I pulled out a “B”.  (Hey, it makes my GPA more believable.)  Yesterday I got my “name card” which I’ll hand to someone as I cross the stage at another university’s coliseum.  There’s closure in that, too.  I should have walked across that stage at 21, bearing a degree from that very university, as opposed to my university renting the venue for a day.  Either way, it will happen.  I can say that with greater certainty as time goes by.  I’m fairly cynical, so I’m not able to trust easily.  For instance, I don’t think of a class as being complete until I see the grade posted on the student server.  I didn’t really think I’d be attending commencement (though I’d done my own evaluation) until I received the e-mail from the University.  I ordered, and have received my cap, gown and stole.  I’ve received both my honors medallions and my honor cord (honor cord? whatever).  I did my own calculations, though I didn’t believe the result until the name card I got in the mail yesterday actually had printed on it “Summa Cum Laude“.  For the record, I’ll wait to see how many others have this distinction, and how many others are wearing the same bling as I have before I decide whether it’s special.

Of course, I’m not really done.  I have one week left in two classes for this quarter (two final exams, and one class project not even started), and technically one class outstanding.  (I’m imagining Peter Gibbons saying, “I wouldn’t say it’s outstanding, Kevin.”)  I say technically because it’s a class that I’ve no business taking.  I’m finishing the advanced version of the class this quarter (hooray for prerequisite waivers) and I currently have a 99.61% average.  I submitted a portfolio petition for life credit for the remaining class earlier this month, so it’s not unlikely that I won’t have to take it at all.  The petition approach has already worked for me for another class, and if this one succeeds as well, it’ll save me 12 weeks and $1,500.  It won’t be until I get credit for that outstanding class - and 10-12 weeks afterwards - that I get my actual diploma.  Let’s hope they don’t mail it in a soft bubble package like my Alpha Sigma Lambda certifcate.

After my commencement party, the next day I plan on starting my “normal” life again - whatever that means.  I’m envisioning more socializing, more visits to the gym, and more activities involvement.

For the next few days, though, I have schoolwork to do.