One year (and one day!) grad-iversary

**I know I said I'd post this yesterday, and I even had half of it in the can on Thursday with the intent of making good on my promise. But then WHOOSH, oh hellogoodbye weekend! Suddenly it's Monday morning and instead of doing my work I'm writing a blog post that was supposed to go up 24 hours ago because I'm feeling terribly guilty about my fib and anyway this one's on the house I hope you enjoy!**

As I was waiting in the holding room with my follow grads this time last year, I'm pretty sure I didn't feel much like all the other eager beavers in the room with me, unless they were also all secretly thinking "Who graduates in four years!?" "I begrudge you, A&M, for kicking me out," and "Are grad schools still accepting applications for the fall semester? I'll check as soon as this is over."

ATTN RECENT GRADS: There be spoilers ahead that could kill your buzz! Stop reading now and continue enjoying your moment! Graduating from college is (let's just face it) terribly misguided. The real world is not at all what it's cracked up to be and if I have a choice of heavens when I die I'm totally going to spend eternity sleeping late, going to class in gym shorts and t-shirts, and believing happy hour starts at 2:00PM.

Of course, my life as a post-grad/freelancer/soccer mom/tutor/leach hasn't been totally without excitement. Let's recollect, shall we? Since graduating from college, I... 

Moved back home
With the intention of living here until I got married. However, my housing and unemployment situation has made me feel sort of like a chubby, awkward, helpless high schooler all over again, and I think it'd be best for all parties if I could taste complete independence before tying the knot.

Started freelancing for the internet marketing company
Initially my job entailed writing press releases and monthly magazine articles, but I eventually took on social media and web content responsibilities as well. I'm all over teh internets now, y'all!

Became a workout hound
Ok so that's a littttttle bit exaggerated. It's more like "I used to not work out at all and now I like to at least stand up off the couch once a day." I started with Jazzercise (which was admittedly ineffective), transitioned to the treadmill, and finally discovered the wonders of Power 90. Now if I go for more than a week without physical activity I feel like a complete schlub. I haven't been able to work out since the girls were born (ba-dum-bum!) and I now I know I look like Jabba the Hut.  

Helped Sean move into his new Dallas apartment
Visited Vegas and only wasted $30 on slots
Discovered sushi

Dyed my forever blonde hair brown
Which has since faded to dirty blonde, but I still like it better than the platinum color that it was before.

Started substitute teaching
And discovered that I wasn't all that interested in spending nine months of the year trying to wrangle obstinate children. Teaching, lesson planning, and interacting with sweet kids was super fun; it's a shame that I let a few bad eggs ruin the experience. Perhaps I could be a teacher if I wasn't such a stickler. Perhaps I could be a teacher if I were allowed to smack the snotty kids with rulers. Perhaps I could be a teacher if more parents carried rulers.

Started taking teacher certification classes anyway
And spent two months and $800 feeling like I was cheating myself out of the writing position I was always meant to have.

Endured my first big girl interview
Imagine a dark room and a row of squinty, stoic executioners interviewers. That was my horror. Was I qualified? Probably moreso than anyone else they talked to. Was I nervous? As hell. Was I interested? At first, yes, but after experiencing a few more interviews and finally landing The Job I realized some things--not all offices are dull, not all employers are angry, and not all offers are pittances thankyouverymuch.

Watched The O.C. in its entirety
Picked up an additional freelance gig
Fell in love with Mad Men
Said goodbye to my parents' cat
Invested a vertiable Kilimanjaro of cash in my figure

Got a job
And that, folks, is called ending the year on a high note.

 [The difference one year makes. See, I told you I needed a hair cut! Student picture source: Sean. Adult picture source: Premiere Photography Studio.]