Introducing... Master Sam!

I figure since I posted my goals for the year on my blog, I should update them as well. So far, I've fully accomplished one of them and that was to get my Masters!

On May 8, 2011 (yes, Mother's Day) I walked across the stage at Rupp Arena and became a Master of something (that's how it works right?). I have to say, during the months leading up to graduation I wasn't interested in participating in Commencement. I've done it before, twice, and it was at 9 in the morning, and I had to be there at 8 in the morning, and I had to pay $70 for a cap, gown, and hood that I would only wear once. But Luis was keen on me doing it and my brother was walking in his graduation ceremony later that day so we decided to make a day of it! And of course, the fact that I got to wear a hood was a nice addition and it reminded me of this picture:

Because I vaguely remember during this event thinking how cool it would be to have a Masters hood and really pretend I was a Jedi. (Sadly though, I tried this and it didn't look like a Jedi, let's just say Master's hoods have this weird, peak-like thing on the end, and well.....)

Anyway, having a Masters feels like such a huge accomplishment and like these past two years were worth all the work and stress. Seriously, there were times when I questioned why I was going through this stress and work, and times when I debated giving up. Studying for that comprehensive final exam was so incredibly difficult, and I really thought that I had failed. I knew that had I failed, there was no way I would be able to go through that pain and stress again. Luckily I not only passed, but passed with distinction! I'm incredibly happy it's over though. So incredibly happy. Now, if I can find a job that uses my Masters degree.

Hey Masters degree. You can see me modeling my lemon yellow hood which represents Library Science. I seriously felt like I clashed cause the back of the hood was blue and white. So many colors! And the purple and white cord represents membership in Beta Phi Mu, the International Library and Information Science Honor Society. Classy, right?

Also, I'd take a picture of my diploma but it takes 90 days for UK to mail it to you! 90 days! Ridic!

Next goal to complete: going to Boston!

Kit Kat Adventure

My brother, Adam, and his wife just got back from a vacation in Japan (not just, it's been a few weeks). When I heard they were going to Japan the first thing I thought of that I wanted was Kit Kats. I had read this blog in the past and was fascinated by the many flavors of Kit Kats available in Japan. And I had to try them. Being the loving family they are, my brother and sister-in-law complied. They brought me these:

Clockwise from top left: Bitter Almond, Green Tea, Cola and Lemon Soda, Cherry Blossom

The only one that actually said what it was in English was the Bitter Almond, the others I went by the pictures. (I think the last one is cherry blossom, but I could be wrong). Despite what I had previously thought, Adam and Nikki had difficulties finding Kit Kats in Japan.

Anyway, the verdict:

Bitter Almond: This was one dark chocolate and the closest of all to a real Kit Kat. I couldn't taste any almond, but it was still tasty.

Green Tea: Very sweet, green in color. A little weird and grainy, but not bad.

Cola Flavors: I really liked these two. I loved the combination of two different flavors in one pack. (The Kit Kats in Japan come with two sleeves inside the box, each containing 2 bars). One was cola colored, the other yellow. I found both flavors to be tasty and they kind of fizzed when I ate them. Yummy!

Cherry Blossom: Probably the only one of the four I did not like. This one was also green in color. It was super sweet and I honestly couldn't figure out what it was supposed to taste like.

All in all, I found my Kit Kat adventure successful and tons of fun! It reminded me of being in Europe and buying random candy just to see what they tasted like!

Of course, they also brought me back this gem! I now have a Harry Potter book in 4 different languages!

happy birthday to me!

mmmmm....the delicious cupcake made up for the terrible movie. don't see Adam, spare yourselves.