Graduation

I went back to London to walk with my graduating class. I've come to the conclusion that going to and being in London is never a bad decision. The week was not long enough for me. However, the weather was bright and sun-shiny. Not typical London weather, so it was a bit deceiving. 

The graduation festivities began Wednesday night. The university had a reception for the graduates and their families on the main campus in Richmond. They had fancy finger foods, wine/champagne, music and a couple of speakers. It was so good to see everyone, students, professors and faculty members that I said good-bye to last December.

Shannon, me and Justice

Shannon

Meha and Amanda

Silly Jimmy

It was so great to see Justice. She became a really good friend. She has such a different perspective on life, one that marvels me. I totally appreciate knowing her.

Graduation morning started early! We had to gather at 8:30am. The ceremony didn't start until 10:30, so that gave everyone plenty of time to fiddle with their cap and gowns and take a ton of pictures.

Tracy and Anderson. I have a lot of respect for these two ladies. I can't think of anyone else that I laughed as hard with, when I was around these two. Two of the sweetest women I've met. I miss seeing them everyday.

Mariah and I had a lot of classes together since we are both journalism majors. She helped sort me a few times!

Smart and pretty!

Me: "Spencer, let's take a picture together."

Spencer: "Okay. Let's pretend we are Pterodactyls"

Me: "Um, okay."

I made so many great friends in such a short amount of time. Above I'm with Lauren and Beckah. 

Annie and Kristina. Two words: Powerhouse women.

Glen. As long as Glen is alive, chivalry is not dead.

Lots of diplomas.

Selfies during the ceremony.

Chris never failed to make me laugh.

Murray. The man. I could write a short novella about Murray and the evolution of our relationship. For now, I'll just leave it at, he is the professor who constantly challenged me.

I spy a Susan holding up her diploma.

Richmond Class of 2014.

Susan "cue Vitamin C graduation song" B.

The Flower Fields Meets Mean Girls

Down in Carlsbad, California, cascading down a hill, overlooking the Pacific Ocean is 50 acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus displayed at The Flower Fields. It is truly breath taking. I thought it would be the perfect location to take my Holga Camera and get some great shots of flowers. My camera, however, did not agree with the Wal-Mart 35 mm film I tried to shove into it. Luckily, I had my point-and-shoot as back up. I went with my cousin, Shannon and we spent almost two hours walking around and enjoying the colors, smells and beauty.

I thought it would be really boring to just show picture after picture of flowers, so in celebration of Mean Girls 10th Anniversary on April 30th, I decided to include my favorite Mean Girls quotes! Really, I could have typed out the whole movie, I love it all!

"On Wednesdays we wear pink."-Karen

 Gretchen: "That is so fetch!"

Regina: "Gretchen, stop trying to make fetch happen! It's not going to happen!"

"Get in loser, we're going shopping." -Regina 

 "You got your freshman, ROTC guys, preps, J.V. Jocks,

 Asian nerds, cool Asians, Varsity jocks, unfriendly black hotties, girls who eat their feelings,

girls who don't eat anything, Desperate wannabes, Burnouts, Sexually active band geeks

 The greatest people you will ever meet,

and the worst. Beware of plastics." -Janis

 "I know, right?" -Cady and Regina

 "She doesn't even go here!" -Damian

Karen: "If you're from Africa, why are you white?"

Gretchen: "Oh my gosh, Karen! You can't just ask people why they're white!"

 "Would you like us to assign someone to butter your muffin?" -Jason

 Student: "Nice wig, Janis. What's it made of?"

Janis: 'Your mom's chest hair."

 "That's why her hair is so big. It's full of secrets." -Damian

 "That is the ugliest effing skirt I've ever seen." -Regina

 Regina: "But you're, like, really pretty."

Cady: "Thank you."

Regina: "So you agree? You think you're really pretty?"

 "YOU CAN'T SIT WITH US!" -Gretchen

 "It's like I have ESPN or something. My breast can always tell when it's going to rain." -Karen

 "I know it may look like I was being a bitch, but that's only because I was acting like a bitch." -Cady

 "Somebody wrote in the book that I'm lying about being a virgin, 'cause I use super-jumbo tampons, but I can't help it if I've got a heavy flow and a wide-set vagina." -Bethany Byrd

 "I just want you to know, if you ever need anything, don't be shy, okay? There are NO rules in this house. I'm not like a *regular* mom, I'm a *cool* mom." -Mrs. George

 "Four for you Glenn Coco! You go Glenn Coco! And none for Gretchen Weiners." -Damian as Santa

 "You smell like a baby prostitute." -Janis

"Boo! You whore!" -Regina

Susan "I know, right?" B.

Hiking Skyline

California may not have had much of a winter, but there have been some beautiful spring days. Last Saturday was not exception. So my SIL and I packed up two kids and two dogs and headed to Skyline to do a little backyard hiking. Everybody and their dog was there. Literally. The weather was perfect and the trail had just enough shade and climbing trees to keep us motivated.

 The kids showing their muscles.

 I think it's some kind of bat cave. Not THE bat cave, but one none the less.

 Those dogs were a handful! They still have some socializing to learn.

 There was beauty all around.

Susan "don't forget to follow me on my social media" B.