Jay Olsen-Thrift

I’ve had a complicated relationship with graduation ceremonies over the years.

We didn’t really do the “graduation” ceremonies in elementary or middle school when I was growing up, so my first real taste of “graduation” was the season 3 finale of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I cried at several points that episode. As an adult, I still cry, but for different reasons. “Graduation Day” was probably one of the strongest finales of Buffy. I think I saw this episode for the first time in either 8th or 9th grade. Good introduction to high school. It was, indeed, hell.

High school graduation was weird because I was still very much a stupid teenager feeling stupid teenager feelings for someone. My best friend (who I met through LOTRO) came to my graduation, though, so that was an incredibly awesome experience. Probably a 5.5/10 experience overall, though.

I didn’t even attend my undergraduate graduation ceremony. I had been in school for five years, resented my degree, and had no real social obligation to go. I had made some friends in undergrad, but they weren’t graduating with me because of various reasons (different major, graduating during a different semester, etc.). That diploma is still in its original tube somewhere, probably in my closet.

Now here I am on the morning of my master’s graduation ceremony, unable to sleep (although by the time I publish this, it will be normal morning hours), and feeling very excited for the day. I dressed up, I made sure my husband also dressed up. I’m doing a celebratory lunch with my teammates from the master’s program. Today feels really good.

And that’s not even mentioning all of the progress and learning I’ve been doing to get my book published! But that’s a topic for its own blog post.

Thank you to all the folks who have followed me through the years and given me your support with my degrees and certifications and creative projects.

Onto the next (high fantasy) adventure!