five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes five hundred twenty five thousand moments so dear five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes how do you measure? measure a year I am graduated. I really wanted to start this entry with something like, "so, ok, wow ..." but you know, I didn't. I'm a high school graduate. I'm typing with caps and punctuation, which is a bit unusual for me for this style of writing. After all, I am a high school graduate. Usually that wouldn't mean a lot to me, but when Dr. Bird (yeah, haha) was speaking last night, I did realize that I did have to jump through a LOT of hoops to get this diploma ... both @ WHS (academic hoops, such as profs, grad tests, senior project, etc) and hoops set up for me by a bunch of people before I even got to WHS. Last night was a great night. Being the high-strung person I am, I was really nervous about walking across the stage, and some of the time I was kind-of like, dude OK I love you, but please end your speech ;), and in one case, dude, you are ridiculous, you don't know what you're talking about, why you think you're so above me is BEYOND me, but please, end your speech now ... ok we just won't sink to that level and go there ... but anyways, after I walked across the stage and got my diploma, I was really able to enjoy the rest of the ceremony. Lots of hugs, no tears, but almost at one point. The highlight was probably tossing the caps. As much as Sisson & I are at odds, he did a great job with the ending ... absolutely superb. Yeah, tossing the caps was awesome. It was like a huge release, and I got my cap back. Those things toss really well. The entrance was really cool too ... we waited and got ready in the same place where all the stars get ready, and our partners entered from seperate tunnels before we joined to walk to the seats, and split to sit in seperate rows, red, black, red, black, red, black, red, black. No carnations or flowers like @ Mand's graduation, but I thought it was classier. Great lighting and all. And I liked how they really got through the graduates fast ... and the big screen. It was nice. Sara, Liza, and Shirley did wonderful jobs speaking. At the end I think we were supposed to file out really orderly ... but it just didn't happen. Caps were off, caps were on, people we in rows, people were not ... Mr. Howe was @ the exit to the tunnel though, and it was good to see him again. Chris, surprisingly, pulled me over and gave me a big hug. That was surprising. After the prom situation, I didn't think he was super super partial to me, but it was nice. Thanked Katie Nails for makin me feel welcome @ the school. And lots of hugs with Donita. Grandma O was there, mom's parents, mom, dad, Morgan, Mandy, and Nick ... yay for Mandy and Nick!! I was SO excited that they came. I had actually run into them quite a bit lately ... Saturday I saw both before work and Mand's party ... Sunday I saw both and graduation and then that evening twice on the roads, and yesterday I saw them in the WalMart parking lot. They were going to get fish for Nicky, I was going to get my hair highlighted blonde. Nicole did it SO well ... she even straightened it and it just looked gorgeous. I had my black dress on, with fishnet hose, my black strappy homecoming shoes, red star dangly earings, and a really pretty braclet and necklace (red, red and black) that really matched the dress and cap and gown. Basically, I was all decked out in just the right colors. I didn't make it to honors night (just a few mins too late!!) so I didn't get to get my certs for the scholarships and the OWH thing in front of everyone, but more then that everyone there (the kids who were being recognized) got crisp $100 bills ... man, oh well?? yeah, ok, oh well. anyways, but yeah ... so i got my certs, diploma inserts ... and yeah. went home. I have a TV in my room now. it feels INCREDIBLE to be graduated. just incredible. incredible sadness and realizing just how BLESSED i was, and how i refused to recognize it and how utterly UNTHANKFUL i was ... and how insane that was ... horribly nostalgic ... and terribly excited. i feel free and matured ... but then i'm still under this household, where freedom depends on certain people's whims, and it's constantly rubbed in my face that if i screw up and loose this scholarship (exactly why i would is beyond me) i have to take out loans in my name, etc. We won't even go into that ... we just won't. Last night I didn't even get a congrats from mom, all I got was yelling that I turned my gown in before she got a pic (they had already taken a professional one, and boy she was FUMING MAD), trying to control where I was, telling me I had five mins to see my friends that I may barely see anymore, etc. I was not happy with her. But graduation is above and beyond her ... it's just too bad that she did and continually does put a damper on things. There's probably more to say, but I can't think of it right now. Peace out.