Graduation from Loyola Marymount University!

In the words of an idol of mine, Dora the Explorer, "Lo hicimos! We did it! Yay!" 

On May 9, 2015, I proudly strutted my graduated stuff across the stage at Loyola Marymount University. I shook the hand of President Burcham himself as he handed me my
(empty) diploma (folder). It was awesome. I was pretty stoked about the entire thing but it's really hard to tell because I look pretty unimpressed on the photo that the jumbotron captured of me.

On the walk from the gym where we gathered to Sunken Gardens where the graduation was held, I called dibs on sitting next to two of my favorite art people - Steph and Jojo.  I got so lucky with the fact that we got to choose where we sat at graduation so I didn't get stuck next to shit heads and I got to sit next to the art homies. We had a whole, kick ass row, making it very easy to not pay attention to any of the serious trash that was going on and have one last college hoorah with my friends.

I am so beyond #blessed to have met the people that I did throughout my experience at LMU. On one of my first days at school, some random guy in the DRN 4th floor lounge loudly yelled at me "Fuck Don Bosco!" That was the moment that I found my first best friend at college who became my best friend in the world and my flawless boyfriend, Cole. He has been by my side every single day for the entire 4 years of my college experience - helping me, challenging me, and (mostly) pushing my frickin buttons. (Mostly the off button on my computer because of the inconvenience game). He is the reason for so much of the happiness in my life and I know we both ended up at LMU for a reason. I honestly don't know if I would've survived the four years without him. 

The art department is full of people that are near and dear to my heart. On the left, my graphic design friends, are the first people that I met in my major department. They were there as I failed all of my graphics classes and needed to entirely change my future plans, they were there when I was drunk off my ass in an alley in desperate need of some gelato in Italy, and they were there when I was trying to figure out what the fuck the difference between all the Buddha paintings is. They are the best kind of people and a guaranteed fun time. We are Kappa Pi, til we die. And I would not have it any other way. On the right is part of my senior thesis class. There were eight uniquely talented and hilariously fun people in that class. They were the ones that I found after I had to change from graphics to something that I would be better at - fine arts. We drank wine with our priest professor and met up in the studio to cry about (and not really work on) our thesis projects in the wee hours of the morning. The chemistry that we had as a group was apparently unheard of for a senior thesis class and, because of this, we made a killer show. Because of them, I have one of my fondest memories. They were all apart of the proudest accomplishment of my college career and life thus far - the senior thesis show. 

I am honored to have shared the last two years of my college experience living with these wonderful ladies - the OG roommates. After having some far from ideal living situations, it was nice to have such amazing, drama-free ladies to live with. I never had to dread coming home to them and will miss the "roommates" chant every time we see each other in public. I don't know how I'm going to function without Gaby, specifically, teaching me how to be an adult and coming into my room, drunk, at 3am to wake me up and tell me things that I do not care about. She is a gem who keeps me sane and living with her for three years has been a blessing. 

Most importantly and above all, I am grateful for everything that my family has done for me. My parents made my dreams possible. I am too beyond fortunate that they allowed me to come all the way to Los Angeles to attend the college of my dreams. They are full of constant love and support. I don't know what I would've done without my mother responding to my 3 am stress texts about how I'm dropping out of school and ending my life in a calm cool and collected manner, letting me know that the hard times will pass. My father is still convinced that I don't know where the library is but I'd like to wave my 3.51 GPA in his face to let him know that I didn't need a library to bring home honors. That's "whats haaaapppeninnnn, dude." I could never thank them enough for all that they have provided me with but, mostly, the money for food so that I never had to try ramen. 

Then there's my diva sister, Fiona, who was always the first to jump at the chance to tell me when I was being dramatic or when I needed to change my profile picture because it wasn't cool enough for college. I'll never forget her first piece of college advice that she gave to me at my freshman orientation - she told me that I had to eat the bun on my hamburger because, if I didn't, I wouldn't make any friends. It was tough, but I learned how to eat buns on my meat and I would've never made this step to adulthood if it wasn't for her pushing me and threatening me with a lack of friends. She has been my best friend and motivator since day one of my life. She is my ride or die. Womb to tomb. Squad goals. I am lucky to have had her by my side throughout this crazy experience. 

 

So that was that, we fucking did it. 

I mean, I graduated with honors from an amazing university... but like, it's whatever.