there’s this, too
Last week, I opened the door to hustle the baby to the bus stop, and gasped when I saw a big, flat package on the porch.
My diploma. My Master’s degree. Live and in the flesh paper-and-faux-leather-case.
Faced with a cartoonish amount of student debt (when I think of the total, which I’ve been advised not to do, I automatically picture Scrooge McDuck as the symbolic beneficiary as he cackles and holds two large sacks with dollar signs on them), and the *^%#(*^ dumb luck of graduating during the worst economic climate in generations, the husband and I have both been experiencing some sort of…buyer’s remorse about our degrees. I may have whined about this here before, but we’re both dealing with bummed out thoughts about aiming too high or something and that we’re as embarrassed of our student debt as we would be if we had burned through credit cards or invested in swampland or something.
Self-esteem: we has none.
Anyway, it’s over. No going back now. And in May, I’ll don my cap, gown, and Master’s hood and participate in a little good ol’ pomp and circumstance. And then figure out what to do with this monster.
I offer my hand for scale. The thing is huge. Also, please note my mad Photoshop skills. I’m not so paranoid, but for whatever reason, posting a picture of my diploma with my full name on it seemed like a bad idea.
March 25th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
oh man, major, major congrats. hope i can be there to get you drunk at the graduation ceremony, and then pour a big tub of gatorade over your head. they do that at grad ceremonies now, right?
.-= Sweetney´s last blog ..Love, peace, understanding =-.
March 25th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
You did it, though. You really did it. That is wonderful! Congratulations!
March 25th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
oh freaking wow! my master’s diploma is like half that size. i need to call someone and tell them i was cheated! i need more paper!
congratulations. having the tangible object that is the diploma helped my spirits when i got it. it will surely help yours.
also–looks like you had a great time in DC! fun fun fun. and lebanese taverna is completely delicious. also, i couldn’t agree more with the roll up the streets at 10pm thing. when we moved here 4 years ago i just couldn’t get over it. i know more 24 hour places in the midwest than here. i still don’t get it. but i have acclimated. begrudgingly.
March 25th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Congratulations! Well deserved and a result of a lot of hard work. You be smart. 🙂
.-= Frank´s last blog ..Daughter In The House =-.
March 25th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Correction: THIS is the best post ever. Congratulations, man. You fuckin’… you DID that. xo
.-= Sara´s last blog ..The greatest. =-.
March 26th, 2010 at 7:52 am
Congratulations! I often think about how I could have not gone to school and just worked at Giant Eagle — I’d be bringing home just about the same income I am now when you figure in my loan payments. But oh well, your degree is tangible and HUGE and they can’t take it away from you!
March 27th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
WOW. I am in awe. You should be so proud of yourself. Congrats!!
.-= Jenny, Crash Test Mommy´s last blog ..Not Your Mama’s Embarrassing Tampon Commercial =-.
March 27th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
I had a whole photo session with mine when I finally paid Maryland for my parking ticket last year and they sent it to me.
This seemed like the place to admit that sort of thing.
Congratulations!
.-= Laurie´s last blog ..Rosary Bracelets and Checkbook Prayers, Again =-.
March 29th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Congratulations, again!
Anytime I get mopey about how much that piece of paper cost me (oh, every month or so, as I write the check), I *try* and remember how education is an investment in yourself/never a waste/rainbows and puppies. Whatevs, it still sucks that it costs as much as it does, so you have my empathy.
Also? I think that CMU makes its diplomas that freaking big so that you’re essentially FORCED to buy one of their fancy frames if you want to hang it, thereby guaranteeing another chunk of changes from its grads. No, I’m not paranoid, why do you ask?
March 29th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
You, Master KDiddy, are a badass with a HUGE diploma.
.-= Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah´s last blog ..Who Likes Winning Free Stuff? =-.
March 30th, 2010 at 3:33 am
Don’t think about the cost now. It’s just a flash in the pan. There’s almost nothing you can get that’s wroth more.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Chest bump, high five, and all the rest. Be proud and enjoy your accomplishment.
March 30th, 2010 at 8:52 am
good lord, woman! that thing is HUGE!
congratulations, though 🙂
March 30th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Mine isn’t even framed yet…I need to get on that. You know, with my copious amounts of spare time. 🙂
April 1st, 2010 at 12:31 pm
My favorite quote from my favorite columnist Sydney Harris.
“The only thing more expensive than an education is ignorance” or something like that. You get the picture.
Congratulations!
November 22nd, 2015 at 10:58 pm
I know those crazy weeks! I have been trying to write all week and haven’t found more than 60 seocdns to ..I have time today but I have a dear friend coming in to viist out of town. So the big decision clean so I look like a halfway decent mom, or write so I can be halfway sane? Thanks for the reminder about taking time to be creative!BTW, do you have a laundramat nearby? They have nice oversized washers ..