The big day: Graduation photos


Well, it’s official: Janelle is a college graduate! She graduated on Saturday, and needless to say, it was a rather emotional day for us, especially considering all the obstacles she’s overcome to reach this milestone. But that’s also what made my heart sing — to see her so genuinely happy for the first time in years. I snapped some photos of the big day that I’d love to share…

My mom insisted we take some photos in various permutations, of course before we left the house. Coincidentally, we took my graduation photos in the same spot 7 years ago! I had to make sure I got some pictures with Janelle since she’s so camera shy…

The stadium quickly filled up with proud friends and family of the graduates — more than 1,000 graduated! Can you believe it…?

I can just imagine my father looking down and smiling; it was nice to feel like he was with us somehow. I just have one question, though: When did she grow up? Congrats, Janelle! xoxo

An Open Letter To The Class of 2012

Dear Classes of 2012 the world over:
Well, it’s here. Your graduation. Today is quite a big day for you. You may have been waiting for this moment your entire life. Or maybe you’ve been dreading this moment since your sandbox days. Whatever your feelings about today, there’s no denying that it is a huge milestone for you. Whether you’re graduating from high school, college or even medical school, you aren’t the same person you were on the first day you walked through the doors of those hallowed halls. Life has changed. People around you changed. You’ve changed. Those first two things? Well, those might not be very hard for you to get used to. But that last one — you know, the one where you look in the mirror and realize just how much you’ve grown and changed and how you’re not the same person you once were? That one is a little harder to wrap your head around. How did it all happen, seemingly in the blink of an eye? You tried everything to make those moments last forever, but somehow, time still escape your tight grip.

In some ways, your life is just now beginning. But always remember this: Life, contrary to what Facebook will try to get you to believe, is not a timeline. Your life — it’s not linear. Yes, you will have many moments of moving forward — in your career, in your relationships — and trust me, those times are going to feel exhilarating. You’ll feel on top of the world. And then other times, you’ll find yourself taking two steps back; these times probably won’t make you feel as on-top-of-the-world ecstatic. Honestly, you might even feel like crawling into a hole and hiding from the world forever. But, don’t do it. Even those not-so-glorious moments help to make you the person you’re supposed to become.
Life is a funny thing — you can’t look forward without at least looking back, if only a little bit. So, whatever you do, enjoy this thing called life every single step of the way. After all, it may feel like a topsy-turvy roller coaster every now and then, but I guarantee you that it’s all worth it. Every last moment of it.

[Photos via We Heart It]

Graduation Gift Guide


I’ve talked about what I’m getting my sister for her big day, but there are so many amazing gift ideas out there for the special graduate in your life — whether they’re graduating from kindergarten or law school.

Here are nine of my favorite things…

*A thumbs-up card, $3.
*An inspirational print, $18.
*A journal (for recording the next stage of life…), $14.95.
*A handpicked box of chocolate, $26.
*”Master Of My Fate” necklace, $68.
*Morse code friend bracelet, $40.
*United States scratch map, $24.
*Memory vase with personalized photos, $250.
*Oh, The Places You’ll Go, the perennial classic by Dr. Seuss, $10.79 (two prints based on the book, too!)


What do you think, friends? What’s on your graduation list? xoxo

On changes

When I graduated college in 2005, I figured that would be one of my last — if not the last — graduation moments. But I had another one this week, and can’t help but think it’s more than a coincidence that it should happen to fall during Graduation Week. Yesterday was my last day as adviser for the college newspaper I’ve advised for the past five years. The instructor who was the adviser before me is coming back on board, and although I’ve known for a few months now that I won’t be returning to my adviser-ly duties in the fall, it really, really began to sink in yesterday at the last staff meeting. I’ve wondered from time to time if I’m making an impact on my students, and well, they left me speechless yesterday with a little surprise in the last issue of the year…
They wrote wonderful little farewell messages to me; there were even messages from former staff members. I also wrote a little note of my own for them…

Rarely are we given the opportunity to go home again. Life — and time — marches on, and we march forward with it. But sometimes, we do find ourselves wanting to go home again, if only for awhile, to see where we’ve been and to see just how far we’ve come.

For the past five years, I’ve had the opportunity to go home just a little bit. In fact, I last wrote for the Kaleidoscope exactly 10 years ago this month. I was the editor-in-chief then. And for the last five years, I’ve been the adviser, which is why I can’t help but feel as though things have come full circle. I’ve watched you all, the staff, grow and learn and get excited about this very important job of being a journalist.

When people ask me what an adviser does, I always reply, “I mold future Woodwards and Bernsteins.” But you helped me grow and learn too. You’ve made me a better writer and a better leader.

In the coming months, your own home is going to change. As you move into the new Student Center, remember that you’re also moving into a new era of journalism. The Web. Videos. Social media. They all come together. They all come together to help tell the story because, at the core, that’s what journalism is all about. Telling a story in a compelling, truthful way.

Even though my time as adviser is coming to an end, your journey of storytelling is just beginning. I look forward to seeing where it takes you. And I thank you for letting me come home again.

These are the moments that make it all worth it, aren’t they? The moments of stress and being bogged down by deadlines don’t seem so horrible when viewed through the lens of the bigger picture. When I look at it that way, I suppose I have a lot to thank them for too.

P.S. The top two photos were taken in my office. I couldn’t help snapping a few commemorative shots. :)

It’s Graduation Week!

As I mentioned last week, I’ve got a theme week planned for this week that I’m quite excited about. In just five short days, my sister will be walking across the stage at her college graduation (I couldn’t be more proud!), so I thought this week would perfect for some graduation-themed posts — everything from ideas for celebrating the special day to sharing some personal stories.

Let’s start the week off with a fun question, shall we, friends? When was the last time you graduated from something? College? A cooking class? An exercise class? Do you know someone who will be graduating in the coming weeks? xoxo