I'se Graduated Now!!!

Yes, yes. May 27, 2006 marked the close of another chapter along this journey. I graduated with my Masters in Information Technology. It was truly a remarkable thing. The weight of it all didn't hit me until the Dean of our college began speaking. I was saying to myself - this is really a big deal. Especially being the first male in my family to graduate with a Bachelors and a Masters from college. And being one of a small number of black males graduating from my school's computing college adds to that. It hasn't been easy. It's been a struggle from day one. But I kept striving. Kept moving. Kept pushing on. And the next chapter will mark the beginning of the reward for all of this hard work. One thing's for sure, I definitely didn't do it on my own. I am truly grateful for the love and support from my family, friends, mentors, professors, supervisors, and others along the way. And I'm ready to give back to the community that's given so much to me. It is my turn to be the model, the inspiration, the reality check, the supporter, the mentor to those coming after me. It's only right.

Graduation weekend was beautiful yet very bittersweet. You find that so many people you've become close with were heading down the same road. And now, it's time for closure. For the road you were traveling down is going to become quite different. But before all the final goodbyes, you know you've got party one last time (and there was plenty of that)!

After graduation, I went home for a few weeks. Chilled with the fam, enjoyed some good food and got some much needed rest. I also had the pleasure of singing at two of my dearest friends' wedding. I did my rendition of John Legend's "So High." I received a great deal praise (my friends keep telling me that their families and friends won't stop talking about how good my performance was). I was just happy to take part in the commemoration and celebration of their love. The wedding was a beautiful introduction to the journey that they will taking together. I wish them well.

I've been back in Rochester, NY for the last few weeks. Where I'll be until I start working most likely. I do have some things to wrap up - the main one being my grad project. Remember - it was supposed to be a thesis. But during the fourth week of spring quarter - it had to be changed to a somewhat unrelated grad project. So I had to go back and do everything all over again. Yeah, I know.....It sucks. Once this is done, I can sever all ties to student life. The sooner the better. I'm also interviewing and waiting to hear back about jobs. Such a long, drawn out process. I had no idea it would be this involved. But I shall not worry. Something good will come along!

Oh goodness....This post is getting kinda long. I guess this is what happens when you don't keep your blog updated regularly. I've got a little bit of extra time on my hands now, so I'm hoping to alleviate that issue. Until next time - live, love and learn!