Diploma, where are you?

As you all know, I graduated with my MA in Written Communication from EMU last winter semester (spring semester most everywhere else). And I’ve been waiting for my diploma ever since. That little piece of paper really means nothing–but it’s something to me. I’ve worked hard to get to where I am, and darn it, I want to hang it on my wall! I called last week because I still hadn’t received it, and though universities are notorious for being slow, this was getting a little ridiculous. They said 6 to 8 weeks, and I graduated in April. Yeah, that’s a lot longer than 6 to 8 weeks. The nice man I spoke with in Records and Registration informed me that mine had gotten damaged in shipping to the university from the printer and that he had had to order a new one. And then the new president of EMU recalled all the diplomas from this year because of a revamp in the appearance (or something like that–I know they were talking about starting a new color scheme last year). So mine was doubly behind. But I received a phone call from UPS yesterday saying that a shipment from R&R was due to arrive today between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. (how nice of them to narrow it down for us) and that someone was going to have to sign for it.

So that little diploma might be there when I get home from work. And then I’m going to frame it and lovingly stare at it for all of five seconds before getting back to my day. But at least it will be there. And it’s mine.

Master’s Degree = Done.

I just have to send in my portfolios to my reader, Ann, but other than that, I’m all done! There are a few pages that keep getting cut off on my typeset version, so I have to wait for the little sister to get back from partyin’ hardy in Duluth (she’s at a wedding) this weekend to get them fixed, but other than that, it’s all set. Everything has been printed and assembled. I just have to put in the cover for the project and the porfolio and about 5 pages worth of project, and I’m set! Yay!

It felt weird this morning, when I started to plan my day, and it didn’t involve sitting at my computer to write. I’ve been MIA from everything else for a while, and that’s because every spare minute at work and at home was spent writing and revising–over and over again. It was worth it, though. I’m really proud of how it turned out.

Both grades (my independent study class and my master’s project) were submitted well before the deadline of May 29th, so now it’s just a matter of a couple of months, and I’ll have my diploma in hand!

Now I can get back to “normal” life–whatever that is. I’m getting caught up on my freelance editing (a big thank you to all of you who have been so patient while I finished this up), and I can start sewing and crafting again. I have lots of blankets, quilts, toys, etc., to make for a couple friends’ babies and for my own little girl.

I even got a chance to bake this afternoon–Blueberry-Yogurt Muffins.

Blueberry-Yogurt Muffins

They’re delicious. And so is having time to be.

And The Jitters Set In

Everything for graduate applications are where they need to be.

I called one of the schools to make sure the package had gotten there because it had been over a week, and I still hadn’t gotten a confirmation back from USPS that it had arrived. I talked to someone in the graduate admissions office, and they were very nice and told me everything was okay and if I wanted to call the program directly, here is their number and have at it.

I called the program office, and I talked to probably the nicest secretary in the whole world. She told me she had received my application and knew who I was before I told her my last name (I just introduced myself as Alicia) which means she actually notices and reads whose information they receive and perhaps even cares if she puts it to memory.

And then, here’s the kicker. I asked her how long it might take for the program to get back to me on whether or not I get in, and she said to give it around 2-3 weeks. I said that it might take a bit longer for the letter to get here considering I’m in a state very far away from them. She laughed, agreed, and then asked me if I need to know soon. I said, “Well, yes, it would be nice to know soon. I was planning on travelling to wherever I am going to go to grad school at over spring break, which is in March to check out the area and the school. Look for apartments and all that stuff. It’s my husband and I who are moving this summer, so it is important that we know the area. Well, my soon-to-be-husband. We’re getting married in June.” There was a slight pause and she responded brightly. “Well, considering that, I’ll get your file ready right now and have them look over it soon.”

Wow.

How nice is that? I thinked her profusely, thanked her for her time, and hung up. I’m still a bit taken aback as I haven’t been treated that nicely by any school thus far. The other school I’m seriously looking at was very kind, as well, but to actually get my file ready now and have the program admissions board look over it ASAP? That made my week. Actually, my month. Ok, my entire undergraduate career. Being treated well makes a very good impression, and this school just shot to the top of my list, though it was already there. It had jumped higher.

Finally Knowing Freedom

I was sitting at work this morning, thinking about all the “work” I need to do that day, and then I realized something-

I have nothing to do anymore.

Granted, schoolwork still lingers and work for the comm office, but there is nothing more to do for the graduate school stuff. I can’t do anything more. I’m still waiting on that letter of rec, which is fine and all, but there is nothing more to do for me.

Wow. What a sense of freedom.

I felt the pressure lift off my shoulders, though my stomach began to turn into knots at the thought that soon (as soon as a month, I guess) I will know what I have been wanting to know for months.

I’ll know where we’ll be a year from now. I’ll know where we are moving to finally. Whenever we get bombarded with the questions about next year from people I meet, I’ll finally have an answer. I’ll know. We’ll know.

Two down, one to go

Two left this afternoon at around 5:30. One left to send. Waiting for a letter of rec, which has been promised to be in my hands tomorrow. I’m excited, nervous, etc. I can’t wait to hear back. How long will it take? *sigh* Can’t wait for the last one to go out tomorrow!

Wednesday is a pretty day

All of my letters of intent, each catered to a certain graduate school, are in my backpack as we speak. My resume is formatted to one page and is now waiting for the link and the ok that the resume online is up and running from Tim. Letters of Rec? Three are still MIA but should be in my little hands on Tuesday. You know what that means, don’t you? They’ll all be gone by Wednesday. Glorious, glorious day! Why aren’t you here now?

Application Family

My resume is ready and waiting. Four portfolios filled to the brim. Letter of intent in need of day surgery but definitely not major. Transcripts sitting in the wings, ready to be opened and fly away. Letters of recommendation? Two sleeping quietly with the transcripts, hoping their friends will come over to play soon.

As for me? I’m what they call a nervous wreck.

Black Hole Revelation

I was talking to Dr. C yesterday, and something hit me about all this. I don’t remember undergraduate applications being this stressful. Not even the first day of classes going PSEO was this bad. Then I realized it was only about me then. I could do whatever the hell I wanted to and the only person it really affected (besides my family, of course, but they weren’t moving) was me. How self-centered, I know, but it is true.

And now, it’s no longer about me. There’s a whole ‘nother person to think about. His future, our future, is on the line. The next two years, potentially more, will be determined by three little letters coming through snail mail. His graduate education, his job, our housing situation, the registration of our vehicles, our future settling area where we will once day raise our kids, all on this. What an immense responsibility. I’m getting a panic attack just thinking about it.

But Dr. C assured me everything will be all right. I just need to focus for a little while longer. This black hole will be gone soon. I just need to breathe and keep typing.

Hang in there, my dear friends.

I know there is nothing more annoying than listening to me go on and on about my grad school stuff, but it has really become a part-time, borderline full-time, job for me. So if I’m cranky or seem upset, take pity on me. I have never come across anything more stressful than grad school apps. Even the GREs weren’t this bad! But it is all worth it, I know it is. Once those packets go out, there is nothing else to be said or done. And it will be sweet relief. What bliss there will be then. Until the waiting game sets in. And then I’ll be the biggest butt around, again.

The Self-Centered I

Al has informed me that I have too many “I”s in my letter of intent. Damn it! Though I am incredibly grateful to Al for looking over it and making it better, I need to go fix it now. Oh, this will never end, will it?