Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Graduation Day


Today, at 9:30 a.m., I graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree. Sitting in the convocation hall waiting for the procession to begin and listening to the musical prelude was surreal. I cannot believe that four years have flown by so fast. I have so many great memories, great friends, have been inspired by wonderful professors who have been my mentors over the years, have had the love and support from family and friends and have graduated from the University that I love.


Our valedictorian wrote an inspirational (and funny!) speech, beginning with the line...

"A good speech is like a miniskirt. Short enough to keep it interesting, but long enough to cover the essentials...." You just know that when a speech begins like that, it is sure to be a success.

But, I think the great Dr. Suess wrote it best:


"Congratulations! Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own.

And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.


You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know.

You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.

So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that

Life's a Great Balancing Act.


Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed!

(98 and 3 / 4 percent guaranteed.)


KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!


So...be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Brayor Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea, you're off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting.

So...get on your way!

---Dr. Seuss


Class of 2007, congratulations!
Mum, Dad, Alex, Ben and Jax - Thank you for your constant love, inspiration, support and guidance.
I love you.
xo

13 comments:

Rosemary said...

Congrats!! Happy Graduation!!
You must be so happy. I hope you are having a fun celebration.
Rosemary

Shaz said...

Congratulations Kate its all the better when that hard work pays off as yours seems to certainly have.
Have fun and enjoy your new found freedom.
Good Luck in the future

Sheila said...

Congratulations Kate. Well done..!
How you managed to study so hard and shop at all those yard sales, and fit in all those movies I will never know.
Or was it research for Women's Studies..LOL
Joking aside, I know your family is very proud of you. Again, well done..!!!
xox

Vallen said...

Congratulations Kate - you are sure to go places!!

Deb said...

Congratulations on all you have accomplished, are accomplishing, and will accomplish!! Keep reaching for those stars Stargazer!!
Love
Mum
xx

Susie Q said...

Congratulations dear Kate!
Such a wonderful accomplishment and now you enjoy all that it will bring you.
Your hard work will pay off well...
good luck in all your endeavors!

Hugs,
Sue

Southern Heart said...

Congratulations to you! You have the whole world at your feet, and wonderful experiences ahead. Oh, the places you'll go!... :)

Best to you,

Andrea

Naturegirl said...

~CONGRATULATIONS KATE!~ a job well done many memories I'm sure of life as a student and now as your proud mom says~the world is your oyster!~
~~~Go get em kid!!~~~
I have enjoyed getting to know you and your mom through your blogs...there is much love between you and I love that! You remind me of my sweet precious daughter who graduated 10 yrs ago!!!
Oh my how time flys...she has changed her career 3 times and YES is doing very well because
~~she has her degree!~~ hugs NG

Naturegirl said...

~~~Congratulations Kate!~~~
A job well done! As your mom said ~the world is your oyster! Go get em kiddo!!
hugs NG

i, Coomber said...

Congratulations!!!

Normally I'd consider all this sentimentality to be 'cute', but I know what its like to finally have something rewarding after all the hard work.

And I hope that my speeches will be as interseting as yours!!!

savvycityfarmer said...

You're such a hard worker!!!

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

Well done Kate-brilliant news!! Now you can relax and enjoy yourself for a short time!!

Jeanne said...

I am so proud of you.
Go forward in the direction of your dreams and live the live you have imagined.
~Thoreau.

Blessings!