If you'd like to contact me: TMF222@NYU.EDU
Real World Update 1 of 3
July 6, 2004 - 4:34 pm
Even though it's been about 2 months since I graduated from NYU, it feels like it was yesterday. Graduation week was so wonderful! My whole family was here, and the city is SO much fun when I get to share it with them. It was the first time that everyone (minus Eric) was together in New York. Usually it's just my mom and her +1 that comes (since she cannot fly alone). My grandparents drove their pick-up and so did my parents. Bonnie rode with my grandparents. They brought me tons of stuff for my new apartment (obviously since they brought 2 trucks). When they finally got there, Duane and Bonnie were still under the impression that I didn't have a ticket for them to go to my graduation. Well, needless to say, they were QUITE pleased when I presented them with their tickets. My family arrived on Mother's Day, which meant a lot to my mom. It was the first Mother's Day we'd celebrated together in a while.
They immediately went to work on my apartment. Duane and my grandpa brought a bunch of boards and tools to build me the grandest bookcase ever. My room isn't very big, but after my family was finished, I had more room than I knew what to do with. The bookcase is about 9.5 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It has 9 shelves. It fits all of my books and all of my dvds (a collection that is larger than average). Duane and Grandpa also put up two shelves on the north side of my room and two shelves on the east side of my room. My family brought a wardrobe that fits perfectly sideways under my bed. It has 4 drawers and a rack to hang clothes. They also brought another mini-dresser with 3 deep drawers and a computer chair. Oh, and let's not forget the mini-fridge that fits exactly on top of the wardrobe. Mom bought me a computer desk from Ikea, which arrived at work a few days before my family came. My family also brought me 2 very comfortable chairs that easily fold up and can be stored in a corner (SO practical, such a great idea). Lots of my favorite foods (including my favorite soda Squirt) were brought as well. I filled up the wardrobe and dresser immediately (with the exception of the bottom drawer of the wardrobe). I sent a lot of my stuff home, so I didn't have that much to put on the empty shelves. After everything was put away, the new computer desk was put together, and my computer was hooked up, my room looked extremely cute. My family had brought a huge area rug that completely covered my floor. They also brought a ladder so I can climb up and down on my loft bed. I am so incredibly pleased with the bookcase. I spend a good portion of my time (when I'm at home) just gazing at it's awesome-ness. It really is amazing. My grandpa and Duane are such good resources. No matter what breaks (whether it's the fridge, the car or my hairdryer) the two of them ALWAYS know how to fix it. I remember thinking about that before I came to New York. I thought about my future apartments post graduation, and what if something breaks or something needs to be built. I always wondered what I would do with them being so far away. I couldn't just holler across the street for my grandpa to come over and fix something or wait for Duane to get home so I could ask him what to do. I was lucky this time. I'm sure it will be a different story if I ever decide to move.
Cherish was also graduating, so her family was in town. Her sisters were staying with us, which was awesome, because I totally adore them. They are super cool. We always have a good time when they come to visit. Anyways, Monday morning came and I got dressed in a cute outfit, then surreal-ly put my purple gown on and pinned my cap securely in place. It was quite overwhelming. I waited until my mom called to let me know they were downstairs, then out the door I went. My family was staying in New Jersey, since it was cheaper and more conveinent. Grandpa parked his truck in front of my dorm, crossing his fingers that he wouldn't get a parking ticket. I advised him not to do that, but oh well. We took some family pictures in front of the park. I was so impressed by everyone's clothes. The females of the family had made quite a big deal out of getting new outfits for the trip. They were SO cute about it, especially my grandma. She even got her hair done "at the fancy place." SO cute! My mom was wearing a summer-esque pin striped suit, which is quite over the top for her. My grandpa was wearing a suit as well. He looked so handsome. I was so impressed. Grandma's hair looked lovely! We took 2 cabs to Madison Square Garden, the location for the School of Education's graduation. We were the second one's there, which paid off because my family had front row seats. I went backstage and joined the other students. It was all so weird, giving 'congrats' and 'good lucks' to all my fellow Communication-ers. It was nice to see a few people, like Frank, because he'd finished school a semester early, so I hadn't seen him in a while.
The ceremony was great. It was about 2 and a half hours long. All graduating students got to walk across the stage too. Not all of the NYU schools do that, so it was quite special. Duane videotaped the whole thing. I'm smiling like an idiot the entire time. In the rush to get inside, my family and I forgot to agree on a meeting spot. I tried to tell them across the auditorium, but it didn't work. I found them eventually though. We took some more pictures, then had lunch. After lunch I took all of them to Hallmark Entertainment so they could see where I worked and meet my co-workers. The building (lobby) is very nice and prestigious looking. My family was overwhelmed that I was working in a place like this and had my own office. It was like my grandpa had stars in his eyes. He was so proud of me, as was everyone. I love my family. They are so supportive of everything and always show me how much they love me and how proud they are of me. Good thing I'm a good girl, otherwise it might be hard to live up to.
Go to Real World, Update 2
