Dear patient readers, The past week has blown by and, in its rush through, blown me away. I haven't had two minutes to sit down and review anything. The following sum-up will lack the recognition and attention that these important times are worth, but such is the way with every important event that consumes so much time. Graduation was, in a word, amazing. Forget the ceremony for a moment--the event in itself was amazing for the simple fact that it was ours. Three years of attending commencements and finally, FINALLY, that grand melody of Pomp and Circumstance was being played for us, the crowd of people filling the stands and standing outside the fences was ours, the people in the gowns were us, the names were called, the caps were thrown, for us. And in the details of it all, well, those are what made it so special. Nevermind the grand itinerary of the ceremony, for an hours worth of time is easily condensed and folded in the memory, but the instant--the single, miniscule moment--that is enlarged and framed in the memory, shining and glowing with importance, let it be sad or joyful. My first framed memory is not so grand, for arriving into our rooms I was quick to discover that I had not been put into Mr. Miller's room, but Ms. Howell's instead, due to the fact that I was a speaker. The look on Mr. Miller's face when he heard is what stands out in my mind, as well as the deep lurch in my stomach when I found out I wouldn't be walking with my closest friends--including Kris, which made me more upset than anything. However, this matter was resolved rather efficiently, thanks to the concerned man, Miller. And so I walked between Aaron, whom changed my life in 8th grade, and Kristofer, whom changed my life at the beginning of the year and continues to make a great impact, and led by the man who changed my year. So, with speech in hand, I stepped onto the little stage out there in the middle of the field and took a seat where I have wanted to sit since the freshmen year. In a privated moment I remembered sitting with the band the previous year, listening to the infamous Marjorie Hazeltine give her speech, and thinking, "I'm going to do that. I'm going to be there; and I'm going to be better." It's been a selfish and secret goal all this time. Well, when it finally was time to take that place, I was pleased to check-off a box on my list of life-long goals (for this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity). I gave my speech, smiled at my dearest friends, and when my mouth felt like it was dryer than Arizona its self, I managed to enunciate my final words and took my seat to the sound of applause. Goal met. The ceremonious shaking of hands and recieving of empty diploma book was not, I admit, the most celebrated transaction of the night. What surpasses it, by far, was the walk down the green runway, one hand in His, the other holding the diploma, walking to the cheers in the triumphs of our accomplishments. And then we paused, each in turn, giving Mr. Miller a tight hug before returning to our seats. This is my second picture frame, accompanied by an audio recording of the words which left me choking: "I love you." He said something else, I honestly don't remember what it was though because I was in such shock, and was barely able to utter a "thank you", a stupid response to a statement that was impossible to respond appropriately to. It was the only thing that made me cry that night. The sky filled with a tossing of caps and a scattering of gowns and then lit with a fine display of fireworks. Kris and I hugged and kissed, and posed for the final pictures that would conclude this chapter in our lives. Project Graduation was a big success. It was held at the F-1 Raceway, an indoor race cart place. Kris and I raced (he kicked my ass of course), we did the rock wall (well, he did, I tried with sad results), played boxer bingo (bingo for boxers...nice silky ones...), playing free video games (again, he kicked my ass :P), but I was the only one in our little group to win a raffle--$100 to Office Max- go me! The hypnatist guy was absolutely hillarious...poor Curtis was so hypnotized...he thought he lost his belly botton, then found it but realized it wasn't his own, acted like Elvis, slept when told, and doesn't remember a thing...we were rolling with laughter the whole time. The only part of the night that sucked was the damned senior video- fifteen minutes of senior stadium painting, twenty minutes of one hocky game, 45 seconds of football, three seconds of homecoming, 2 seconds of prom, and that was it. We were SO disappointed. I'm mad at Miss Hanley for that and very much relieved that I made my own video this year. Anyways, we were up all night and then Kris and I went to Jackie and Tim's (I had to house-sit again) and slept the day away. Now, without the details, the story is thus: Grandma is finally gone, and I say that kindly. As I explained to kris the other night, she just isn't the same person she was when grandpa was alive and it's taken me some time to figure that out--to realize what the difference was. Needless to say we (mostly mom and I) feel very good to have our space back, along with our way of life. It has been a very nervous and high-strung five months. But the pillow has been removed from the second chair and the woman has returned to her throne. Had dinner with Jackie and Tim tonight, just the five of us. It was really nice. We ate, talked, watched the terrific ending to the suns game, and otherwise enjoyed the pleasure of family company. Mom still thinks that there is something different about Jackie but I just don't know. Working a lot now. In fact today was my first day off since Friday. Doesn't seem like too much I guess but in my world it was. You won't believe what I've missed just by working three days in a row. A graduation/birthday party, a Diamondback's game, and more. Which reminds me, the church recognized Kris and I for graduating and gave us little gifts, which was very thoughtful of them. I'm really going to miss Ascention when I go to college. Not for the fact that it's church because, who am I kidding, God himself knows my feelings towards religion, but I like the church. I like the people and the feeling of the place, and I like the Sunday tradition. I wish America would take more after other cultures and just devote entire Sundays to family. I miss Sunday dinners on a regular basis. Ironic since I know I took them for granted. On a sidenote, I think it's about time to announce the big news for the summer. For my graduation present, mom and I are going to NY. I'm finally going back! Just mom and me! We've already bought our plane tickets and our tickets to see the choir at carnegie. Mom has a whole itinerary made-up. We're seeing The Producers, taking a tour around the city, having lunch at The Tavern on the Green, going to a musuem, and joining the choir on a boat cruise! We leave the 9th and come home the 13th, I believe. Oh, and watch The Today Show on the 10th because we're going to go stand outside that morning. We did last time I was in the city--my mom, sister, and I, so we're making another poster and going out there. I'm SOOO excited though! If it can't be London, it might as well be New York!! Well, that's all I think. Now I have to go unload my mind of a lot of ideas because it's been a good month or so since I've written and perhaps nine months since I've really let anything flow for hours on end. I've got writers' back-up like bad plumbing and if I let this go too long, it might get ugly... With love, Carrie