I couldn't think of a more exciting title than "GRADUATION"

S0 I stuck with that.

I figured I'd write a little something about it, since it is a pretty big change.

I'll be honest: Over the last 12 years, I have said some stuff I really didn't mean. I have bitched and complained about my graduating class. I've called people shallow, gotten into numerous political squabbles, cried over dumb things people said in middle school, been called "weird" more times than I can count, but in the end...the Class of 2008 was a pretty cool class, and I am going to miss people.

Not an incredible amount, but a little. These people I have shared the elementary, middle and high school with have shaped my life. Maybe not an immense amount in comparison to what's going to happen in the next few years, but for now they have.

The actual ceremony lasted about an hour, which is good for a class our size. It was a hot, stuffy night and we all got warm and uncomfortable. That aside, it was a good night for reminiscing , aspiring and glorifying the move between required public education and whatever we chose to do next. It sunk in that evening (among other times) just how close our class is. From "Ugly Sweater Day" to "Toga Day" to the cross-dressing fiasco, we have stuck together as a team. After one of our classmates finished her speech, regarding the present and how close our class was, all 321 of us began to chant "Friends, Friends Friends Friends!" over and over, louder and louder until we were screaming at the top of our lungs. And in that moment, it didn't matter that I had been picked on in 5th grade music class or that so-and-so called his girlfriend a whore two years ago. What mattered was our success and our hope that it would continue in higher education.
My friend Blake gave a phenomenal speech about the future and what is to come. (Kristjan and Greta, our other speakers did a fabulous job as well, let's not forget). Instead of the fluffy, warm-and-fuzzy stuff Blake could have said (like, "the world is our Oyster" and "the world better be ready for us!") he took an honest approach: He admitted that things in this country weren't ideal, and that we wouldn't be stepping into a future that was safe & sound. But that we were a talented class, a gifted and smart class that could work with other people to make our futures better. He said we have the power to do awesome things- and we do. We do and we also have the responsibility, if we want to make this world a better place.
He also thanked the "possibly underpaid" teachers, while shooting a glance at the School Board President behind him (who is fighting the teachers on their demand for a contract, which they have gone 200+ days without)
And as selfish as it seems, that moment of time, that hour, was about us. Nothing else mattered but our success and our joy to be getting out of the high school.

Walking across the stage (without tripping! yay me!) was great...surreal, really. The principal shook my hand and said, "well, it's been a long ride. Thanks for everything you've done to contribute, especially with music." (or something near that. I wasn't really listening, i wanted my freaking diploma) and dear, wise Mr. Keeney called my name. I did the tassel switching thing and then sat down. It seemed so anticlimactic, switching tassel from one side of my head to the other...but I felt awesome. I was tickled to have graduated. (These days I don't know what to do with my sorry butt. I've been wasting away watching tv, cleaning, and filing music for my high school music teacher. Good use of time, I assure you).

Sadly enough, after that moment passed, the world stopped caring again. The photography companies have already sent out pictures of next year's seniors and we're chopped liver. Funny how things go.

Now I've got next year to look forward to.

As much as I talk about being excited for college and say "I can't wait to get out of this town!", I am scared to leave life as I know it. Things are going to change next year and to be honest, it scares the living crap out of me. For those of you who have known me for awhile, or even those of you who are just getting to know me, you'll realize that most of the time, I'm stuck on my ways. I am happy with life as it is, and change isn't always something I welcome. I want that to be different. I would like to look at change as a great thing, and I'm trying. I think I'll have to conquer the fear first. Once I do not fear change, it will not be painful. I've got to be willing to take risks.