Pomp and Circumstance

A lot has happened in the past 14 days.

I graduated.

Jennifer graduated.

Jacob, Jennifer's beloved graduated from Police Academy.

Osama bin Laden graduated from mortal life.

May he rest unhappily ever after.

But, let's dwell on happier events.

Jennifer and I GRADUATED! I know you want pictures--To PROVE that I actually graduated.

Here you go (with some slight commentary from me, of course.)

Before Thursday's Commencement, BYU had a lovely luncheon for the BGS graduates and their families. We enjoyed tasty sandwiches, yummy salads, raw vegetables with the obligatory ranch dip, various types of chips (which I finally ate when I returned home 12 days later. I'm a slow eater--but this was ridiculous!) and TASTY chocolate mint brownies. BYU is FAMOUS for their tasty chocolate mint brownies. I think this might be the first time I ate one and now I am a BYU chocolate mint brownie fan for life.

On a side note--do you notice the cute shoes I'm wearing? Please notice them because they caused me excruciating pain and a few blisters. They didn't even have that high of a heel. But after walking and walking and walking and standing and standing and standing, my feet paid the price for several days.

Never in my WILDEST dreams did I EVER think I would get a picture taken with Cosmo. Cosmo never said a word during our photo shoot, but I think that secretly he was DELIGHTED to take this photo with Jennifer, Emily, Ron, and I. I mean, who wouldn't? We were the ONLY mother-daughter duo that day.

After the luncheon, Jennifer and I took the opportunity to take some pictures. I won't bore you with all of them. Don't we look adorable? Note our white collars. These collars were SUPPOSED to be attached with adhesive tape. The tape didn't work--except getting stuck in our hair. Heather and Dustin went to the rescue and walked and walked and walked to find some safety pins. Jennifer, Emily, and I could simply NOT take another unnecessary step because our feet hurt.

How did the Pioneers do it?

Do you remember those Where's Waldo books? Well, can you spot Jennifer and I? We are SOMEWHERE in this section of the Marriott Center. I can't even find us. Over 6,000 students graduated this day. Elder Richard G. Scott was the keynote speaker. I LOVED his talk. When Commencement was over, Jennifer and I hobbled out of the Marriott Center and once we were reunited with our family, spent the next 45 minutes trying to get out of the parking lot.

That evening, we had a pizza party at Heather and Dustin's house. We enjoyed huddling together on their "Love Sack" nicknamed by Emily as "The Cream Puff." Ron, Emily, and I spent the night with Heather and Dustin. Emily spent the night on the Cream Puff which she said was one of the best night's sleep she EVER enjoyed!

The next morning, Ron and I showed up at the Smith Fieldhouse before 7:00 am to get ready for the next event of the day--Convocation! Convocation is where Jennifer and I would actually hear our names spoken out loud! It was very exciting.

Jennifer and I waiting patiently for our turn to cross the stage. We were in the second to last row to graduate. We were very patient.

Jennifer and I right after receiving our lovely diploma covers. Don't we look happy? Jennifer walked the stage first. The speaker announced her name and mentioned that she was graduating Cum Laud. Way to go Jennifer! We will NOT repeat what her delightful husband shouted when she crossed the stage, but I can tell you that Jennifer blushed.

Then, it was MY turn! I prayed that I would not trip crossing the stage and cause a memorable moment for everyone. Do you notice the sensible shoes I am wearing in this photo? I learned my lesson on Thursday and wore Grandma type shoes (even though I am NOT a grandma) and so there was no tripping. They said my name and then announced, "Loralee is the mother of Jennifer and she is graduating with her Bachelor of General Studies Degree."

There was great shouting and whooping and cheering from our fan club. Christie told me that several people said, "Oh how sweet--a mother and daughter graduating together." Yes! Yes, it was!

After convocation, the education department (which Jennifer graduated from) had light refreshments. I was very excited to discover that they were serving BYU's famous chocolate mint brownies. I partook again. I was very, very happy!

Barbara (one of my Utah sisters) supported me by being one of our photographers as well as attending two very long graduation ceremonies. Barbara--you are a GREAT sport!

The entire family minus Dustin who was valiantly attending his last day of college classes before finals began for him. We missed you Dustin--but you were where you were supposed to be! I can't wait to attend YOUR college graduation in a couple more years.

So, there you go. Photographic proof that it wasn't a dream.

I truly am a college graduate!

Graduation Checklist

Graduation preparations are underway.

Cap and Gown....Check.

New dress for Emily....Check.

New outfit for me......Uncheck.

Haircut for Ron....Check.

Food for car trip.....Check.

Books on CD for trip.....Check.

Clean clothes....Check.

Oil change and full tank of gas.....Check.

I have searched for a cute new dress or skirt ensemble to wear for graduation without success. It doesn't really matter because no one will be able to SEE the cute new dress or skirt ensemble because of the robe covering it. But, it's always fun to have a new outfit. Not that it would fit in my undersized closet. But, I would have made ROOM for it somewhere. Sigh. How I miss my old closet. Now THAT was a closet! It was also where our newborns slept for the first few months of life. It was that big.

On the way home from work, Ron stopped and got a haircut. It was badly needed. Emily commented on his "tan line." There is a good half inch of white skin showing where his hair used to be.

"You look great!" I told him. "You are ready for our BGS commercial!"

"I haven't had a haircut!" Emily shrieked! "I'm not ready for the BGS commercial."

"Ahhh, but you have a cute new dress. That will make up for the hair."

Three more days....and I'll be an official college graduate!

Three more days to see if I'm offered a starring role in an upcoming BGS commercial.

Jennifer, how does your hair look?

Knights in Shining Armor

I'm sure that my faithful readers have been tossing and turning all night long, losing precious sleep as they worry about my graduation dilemna.

Oh, you haven't?

You don't even REMEMBER my graduation dilemna?

Well, let me remind you of the details.

About 24 years after I started a family, I returned to college to complete my degree. For the past five years I have taken one BYU Independent Study class at a time. It was overall, a lovely experience.

After spending 5 intense weeks madly writing multiple papers, I completed my last class. I was now able to graduate! There was great rejoicing in the land (at least in my home) and then, I received the unpleasant news--it was too late to order my cap and gown. Without a cap and gown, I could not walk. Without a cap and gown it would THWART my plans to stand next to Jennifer as she graduated. Without a cap and gown it would THWART my ambition of appearing in a possible future print ad or TV commercial with Jennifer by my side advertising the success of the BGS program and the bonds of mother-daughter relationships.

You can see I have very big ideas.

It was a very sad day. I lost sleep. Sigh.

But, NEVER fear! My darling Utah daughters were determined to come to my rescue.

Christie was planning on setting up her lawn chair, her lap top, and camping out at the Hinckley Center to buy one of the few remaining coveted caps and gowns.

Heather, in her fog-induced CPA tax preparation haze probably did not EVEN know what great plans I had in store for her in case Christie could not camp out. She was going to be the back up.

Lucky, lucky girl.

Jennifer however had an even MORE clever plan. She decided to advertise my heartfelt dilemna.

On Facebook.

Yes, once again, Facebook united people together, or in this case, Facebook united Jennifer to a friend of a friend who had a cap and gown that they would be willing to loan me.

This is what she posted:

"Attention, BYU alumni: Does anyone have a cap and gown they would be willing to let my mom borrow? She's willing to pay a rental fee."

Then she went on to explain:

"Nearly 30 years after leaving college to raise a family, my mom has accomplished her goal of graduating. However, she wasn't notified that she would be eligible to graduate until after the deadline to order a cap and gown. She would really like to be able to walk with me and celebrate her accomplishment. "

The first offer was from a lovely gentlemen who was too tall. (But, I would have taken it anyway.)

The second offer was from a lovely lady who was too short. (But, I would have taken it anyway.)

The third offer was JUST RIGHT!

So, next week I will be marching into the Mariott Center looking up into the vast audience with tears streaming down my face--thanks to the love and support of my darling daughters. They are truly my knights in shining armor.

I Wonder if Warm Milk REALLY Works?

It's 2:00 am. I've been awake since 1:00. This is a problem because I went to bed after 10:00 pm. So, what's the problem now?

The camp fundraiser is over.

I've completed my last BYU class.

My last BYU class has been graded and I passed.

I don't teach seminary until next week.

Everything should be GOOD. Eternally speaking--all is well!

But, I've been awake for over an hour and I know that it's going to be hard to go back to sleep.

The reason I can't sleep now is because when I tried to order my cap and gown for graduation, I found out it was too late. The deadline to order caps and gowns closed over two weeks ago. Two weeks ago, I didn't know for sure that I had been approved to graduate in April. Two weeks ago I didn't know that the deadline to order caps and gowns was happening.

Without a cap and gown, I can't walk. Oh, I'll still graduate, and that's the big thing. But, I wanted to walk.

Now, not all is lost. There will be a LIMITED amount of caps and gowns to purchase the week of graduation. First come. First served. Christie has already told me that she would be willing to help out. I'm sure Heather or Jennifer would be, too.

But it's the NOT knowing that keeps me awake. Thanks, Grandma for my "worry gene."

But, that's ANOTHER blog post.

Goal Accomplished!

Have you missed me?

I've missed you.

I have spent the past five weeks intently working on my last BYU class. I have spent the past five weeks reviewing textbooks and notes of all the courses I have taken. I have spent the last five weeks doing research for my capstone class. I have spent the last five weeks writing many papers. This has left little free time for blogging. Or cleaning my house. Or making nutritious meals.

It has left little free time to read books. Or talk on the phone. Or do fun things with my family.

But, it's been worth it. I've taken 14 classes the past five years. Finally, I'm done.

A few minutes ago, I submitted a 12 page research paper, a 6 page paper, a 24 page paper, and two one page papers, along with assorted other necessary documents to prove that I have learned something the past five years.

I am sitting at my computer weeping tears of joy that the journey is over. I am happy the finals are over. I am SO glad I don't have to write any more research papers. I am relieved that I don't have to figure out exactly what my instructor wants sitting at my computer 800 miles from their office.

I am sitting at my computer weeping tears of sadness that the journey is over. I have LOVED going back to school and learning new things. I have LOVED having my mind and imagination opened to new concepts. I will miss being a BYU student. It has been a joyous journey.

I want to shout to the world that almost 30 years after I left college to raise a family...

GOAL ACCOMPLISHED!!!

Little Letters--BYU Edition

Here are some little letters I would like to send to BYU.

Dear BYU,

Congratulations! You made The Today Show this morning as they discussed the suspension of one of your key BYU basketball players because he broke the Honor Code. I know that BYU was recently voted #3 in the nation. I know the NCAA championships are rapidly approaching. But, may I just say that as a current student (with one class left) how PROUD I am of you for making the Honor Code real and relevant. Each year as I meet with my Bishop, I commit to living the Honor Code and I'm glad the rules aren't bent for your star players. Yes, you lost a game against New Mexico after he was cut. Yes, you may not do as well in the polls next Monday. Yes, there are many, many people who just don't get it. But I do. So thanks!

Sincerely,
A Current Student


Dear BYU,

Thank you so much for having such AMAZING performing arts groups! Last night, Ron, Emily, and I attended the International Folk Dance Ensemble and we LOVED it! We loved the energy of the dancers and the Mountain Strings band. The performers radiated joy and light and love. As we watched them perform one high energy number after another, I wondered, "How do they do it?" As we left the venue, I overheard one man ask a male performer, "How many calories do you burn up there?" I never heard the answer, but that's what I want to know, too!

Love,
A Very Happy Fan


Dear BYU,

So, do I get to graduate in April with my darling daughter, Jennifer or do I need to come back in August and graduate by myself? It's been almost three weeks since I sent in the paperwork asking if it would be possible to change my graduation date from August to April. I haven't heard anything. Think about the memories and photo opportunities that another mother-daughter pair could have graduating together? Think how GOOD it would look in a commercial on BYUTV advertising the success of the BGS program? Think how GOOD Jennifer and I would look in print ads? Please consider this and get back to me as soon as possible.

Very sincerely,
A Hopeful Graduate