Melinda's Graduation

Don't I look educated?

Benners and I right outside the Spectrum

My proud parents and me

Here I am, shocked at the graduation present I discovered when we went back to the apartment.

My beautiful new digital piano (and the cute little stuffed dog from Steph)

As of Saturday, December 15, 2007, I am a college graduate from Utah State University. It feels good, I'm not gonna lie. It's weird to think that I won't be registering for classes or stressing over student teaching evaluations, or dealing with the Registrar's office...sigh...ok I'm over it. I really have loved my 3 1/2 years here at Utah State. It's a great school, and I feel like I received a good education.
My loving husband Ben was in attendance at graduation, as were the Johnsons, Christensens, and Grandma and Grandpa McMullin. When my name was read to receive my degree, the whole Spectrum was silent. (;) I love you, family!) My dear family was all trying to get a picture of me, and they forgot to cheer. The report was that my mom gave a weak little "yay!" as she was trying to work the camera. It made me laugh, but I bet the other grads and audience members felt bad for me and imagined I had a rough past, and wasn't it great that this poor pregnant girl graduated from college with no support from anyone. Ha ha, just kidding. I'm sure no one really noticed, and I know my family loves me and that they were silently cheering or at least giving a mental fist pump for me.
After graduation, we went to the Coppermill for lunch/dinner...linner?. It was delicious! Props to me for thinking ahead to make reservations. I do think of things ahead of time, now that I'm a college grad...
After lunch, our families came back to our little apartment to see the Christmas decorations, or so I thought. I walked in the door, and there stood a beautiful new piano! I've wanted a piano for a very long time, and preferably a digital one with volume control so I don't drive the neighbors crazy. It was a huge surprise! Ben did tons of research to find out all about it and made all kinds of arrangements like having his parents drive it up in the van and have my mom bring my repertoire notebook (thanks Ann Harrington) up to Logan so I'd have something to play from. The Christensens and McMullins went in on the piano with Ben. I love it! The dear Johnson family gave me a brand-spankin' new video camera (which I've also wanted for a long time) complete with tapes and carrying case. I got absolutely spoiled at graduation! Besides just the wonderful and generous gifts, I really appreciated having so much family support. Thanks everyone!