DONE!

Does anyone remember the old Monster House series on Discovery Channel? Steve Watson used to tear up rooms and get a team of carpenter/electricians-extraordinare to make the rooms into man caves on steroids. Guitar-shaped bars, motorized recliners, diamond steel cabinets. When each project was done they'd put a big stamp on it...

DONE!

Let's just say I have finally, mercifully, excitedly put a DONE! stamp on my USF education/career/slavery.

After nine long years (more than five in the School of Mass Communications), three degrees, a minor, two theses, three internships and three jobs (one at the mall, which probably doesn't count), I am done. Done done done done DONE.

Did I mention I'm freakin' DONE???

I happily walked the stage on Saturday, May 8 (also the birthday of my bestest friend in the whole wide universe) to the tune of some 15 people screaming and yelling at me from the stands. The walk itself was short yet blissful. Judy Genshaft doesn't like shaking hands and Karen Liller doesn't realize what a mistake she made by questioning my ability to work 50 hours a week and complete my thesis. Dean Eisenberg and Dr. Werder offered huge hugs, and the line to get photos felt like Disney World. I don't remember when I looked up, but I know I saw my friends (special shoutout to Melissa and Mike, who came out from San Antonio to see this!) and family jumping up and down and screaming -- especially Carlos, thanks to the hat and white shirt -- and it was one of the most awesome moments in my life.

You see, as I hibernated for two months -- capping off a wild eight months of working, teaching and thesising -- I knew I had an awesome support system. My peeps may not have seen me much, but they were there for me at the drop of a hat. Just knowing they were there meant the world to me. And for those reasons it meant more to me to have my support system in the crowd than it meant to actually walk the stage.

This degree, for many reasons, means a lot of things. I was wholly unexcited about my undergrad degrees, but maybe that's because I knew I wasn't done. These last three years have been a whirlwind of change, and I know I've changed a lot in that time. I'm confident and happy with my direction, but I also feel like I wouldn't have that confidence or happiness if it weren't for the awesome people who surround me. There was Milca forcing me to eat lunch and visiting me in my office almost daily, Carlos and Sheila convincing me to go out for a drink on random Friday nights, and Sarah listening to me rant about my job via IM... (Dr.) Bob (Batchelor) showed confidence in my writing and patiently sat through my ramblings as I tried to analyze and justify reasons for applying to multiple doctoral programs... Dr. Kelly Werder dealt with me on a weekly basis as I plowed through the thesis that became a mere drop in the bucket of what I originally planned. And, of course, there was Mom -- she listened to me analyze my entire thesis daily while continuously replenishing my supply of Publix mac 'n' cheese, sugar cookies and Coke. All this and more helped me get through the last three years. But most importantly, I know it will get me through the next three.

Ultimately, this degree is so important to me because I know what my next step is. For once, I know where I'm going, and even better is that I like the direction. Moving is going to be the toughest thing, but the excitement of this new journey largely outweighs the fear of change that sits quietly in the background. It sits quietly, though, because I know no matter where I am, my home is where my friends and family are.

So, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me in this journey. After nearly a decade, I'm proud to say I'm a USF Bull (although I'm more of a heifer, actually) and I'm looking forward to the next chapter of this incredible journey.

With tons of love,

- Mel(li) :)

PS -- Looking for apartments SUCKS.