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Saturday, December 23, 2006

Graduation and final grades!!!

So, I've finally graduated. Thank you Lord. Or whoever is watching out for me. Whew..... that is a huge relief off of my chest. Why am I so worried? Why was I so worried? Working in my office, it was an occupational hazard to meet fellow Metro students that thought they were graduating, only to realize too late that they weren't graduating.
Obviously, I didn't want this to happen to me.
So I have been extremely paranoid this semester, my final semester. But everything has turned out just right- I just checked my grades: 1 A, 2 B's and 2 C's. I'm okay with that. I honestly am so glad to be finished, that I would have been happy for straight C's.
I will have some graduation pictures, once I figure out how to hook my new digital camera up to the computer. Everyone should graduate from college one day- the degree is AWESOME but getting presents and kudos from everyone around you is FANTASTIC.
I didn't even know how much work I put into this bachelor's but people keep telling me and reminding me of what I've done in my 5.5 years here at Metro. I encourage everyone attending Metro to get involved so much, that they forget everything they've done.

It has helped me so far.


Pictures will be coming shortly.

Saturday, December 09, 2006

What are you going to do now? That is the $50 million question

So, we've finally reached the end of the semester. Congratulations everyone!!!
For me, getting to this point is nice but also it is very scary. "What are you going to do now?" is what I hear from everyone I talk to. And I always give the same answer: I have no clue. I've been telling people that I'm going to continue working in my office and keep learning about myself, so I can (hopefully) answer that question (soon).

Part of me is interested in graduate school but I have no idea what to study. You are probably thinking, Duh Amber, study psychology- it is your major! But part of me wants to stay here at Metro, working at making it the "preeminent urban public baccalaureate college in the country" (Dr. J's words)- a great feat that will take the hard work of many dedicated people (which Metro has- FYI).
Another part of me wants to take off, explore the world. Because I can. Because I don't have any real plans after graduation. I have ties here to Colorado- 90% of my family and friends live here BUT I'm sure they wouldn't mind too much if I left.
All I can say is that this is one situation where it is beneficial that I don't have a boyfriend or significant other to make me think twice before leaving. I also don't have any children, despite a vicious rumor around campus, that was started by someone who is paying dearly for that remark. Every time I see them.

What scares me the most is that everything is unknown. I don't know whether I should stay here in Denver, should I move somewhere else in the USA, should I move to Europe? I'm thinking of pulling a Bridget Jones (from the second movie) and vacationing in Thailand (minus the drug charges and the jail time- although the performance of 'Like a Virgin' would have made Madonna proud AND I'm a great singer). Or like in this book I just read titled 'Backpack' by Emily Barr (a fantastic writer from the UK), where the title character goes to find herself in Asia after the death of her mother and a hard break-up with her boyfriend, to find herself.
But could I really just leave? All of my friends and family ask me that. In all honesty, I could. I was raised to be a strong, independent, headstrong woman that was ready for anything that would come my way. Wouldn't I miss the comforts I have here, the familiarity, the late-night runs to Taco Bell after a night out with my girls?
Not really because Europe isn't that much different than here (taking into exception that in England, you drive on the other side of the road). Australia would be a great place to live; it also seems like the hot spot for Metro graduates and former students, since so many live out there (Lester Strong, Luke Kendall, Dave Barlow- just to name a few). Quite possibly, it would be a mini-MSCD reunion. We could form our own MSCD Alumni chapter. Plus I've always wanted to learn how to surf.
But I am getting off of my original point, which was the $50 million dollar answer to the $50 million question I keep getting: What are you going to do now?

I have no clue.

Although I know that life will begin once I receive my degree. Now, which direction life will take is undecided but I am ready for the ride. Got the passport ready just in case.