Update 2: Grauation

With my parents

Graham and I returned from Puerto Rico on May 18 to find the east coast rainy and cold--no great surprise, but disappointing nonetheless, especially given that all the graduation festivities of the coming weekend were slated to take place outdoors. On Thursday May 19, my parents and my Aunt Rosa flew into Connecticut (actually, they didn't arrive until around 5 am the next morning, thanks to a long, looong layover due to bad weather). Friday my Aunt Anita arrived, and Saturday my two cousins came--we had quite the bunch! Friday, 5/20, was my last concert as pitch of Slavs, in which I managed to not cry, somehow (barely). Saturday a reception at the University President's house. Sunday was Class Day, in which everyone crowded into Old Campus to listen to Tom Hanks give a speech. And finally, Monday was graduation. All the graduated filed into Old Campus, to much fanfare, honorary degrees were given to famous people (Martin Scorsese, Youssou N'Dour), and then we all went back to our respective colleges to get our own diplomas. Morse College was the only one that didn't set up a tent in the courtyard, and we just barely missed being poured on. Just as we were all filing into the dining hall to enjoy a nice lunch, the downpour began. Complimentary Yale umbrellas were provided.

Me in my gown, Slavs in the pjs on the morning of Class Day

And on Tuesday, I got to move out of my house.

After the Baccalaureate Service

Needless to say, the weekend was a blur, but although it was exhausting, it was wonderful. It was great having so much of my family out there. We were able to eat at several of my favorite New Haven restaurants--my father is still raving about Miya's--as well as cook together at my house. It was also really nice to be able to spend time with my friends without the stress of schoolwork to think about. The day after graduation, the weather turned beautiful. My mom and I finished packing, and then enjoyed a great dinner at Sol de Cuba.

And on Wednesday, we left for home.

Two weeks later, because we just can't get enough of exhausting festivities, we had a reception at my house, potluck style. My mother and I spent an entire day baking eight different cakes--banana cake, coconut cake, rhubarb upside down cake, lemon cake. This was overkill, really, but it was fun. I also made many quarts of ice cream. Now, potlucks are really one of my favorite things--for comparatively effort on the host's part, you get an entire feast--and you don't have to clean the serving ware.

So now I am a graduate, perpetually having to field the question, "What's next?" And what is next? I'll be going back to Yale for a one-year graduate program in the fall of 2012, but until then, I'll be working as an intern for the Santa Fe Farmers Market institute, which is pretty ideal. Best of all, I'll be in New Mexico. It has been far too long since I've been able to spend an entire year here. I'm looking forward to getting to see the seasons change.