I'm Official

The graduation and matriculation ceremony was Tuesday, and it sank in. I'm officially a graduate student.

Let me say that again:

I. AM. OFFICIALLY. A. GRADUATE. STUDENT.

Hopefully two years from now, I'll be shaking the Dean's hand and fighting back tears as I recount my experiences in the program and give words of advice to the newcomers.  As I watched each student walk up to the platform, I felt both excited and scared. I was excited because, heck yeahs, that will be me in the future. And at the same time I was, terrified. What comes after graduation? How will my life be different when I graduate? How will I be different? 

We sat through a "short" speech from every graduate, and then stood and took an oath and then left. I got to talk to the others in my program for a while, and so they (the Radiant Ones), no longer seem quite so "unfamiliar". Sure, I'm still quite unsure of myself in my ability to communicate in Korean, but they seem to be understanding and quite patient with me, which I'm very grateful for. Getting to know people isn't one of my strong points.

I also sat through my first class. It was Applied Economics. 

Have I ever told you how much I hate math? It makes me cry. It hurts my soul. Math is why Jesus made calculators and Pocket-Protector Nerds. So, to find out that my econ class would have little to no math made me do a little dance.  All of the professors are really passionate about their subjects, and it comes through in their teaching. 

Afterwards, we went to a welcoming dinner and had coffee. I ate too much (to be expected) and I spoke more with the Radiant Ones, and the topic of the boyfriend came up.

If I were a white girl, I'd have turned crimson. Actually, when I was younger, I'd visibly blush, but it doesn't happen anymore. I was embarrassed because I don't like to talk about "it" or "him" and then there's always the "what??? he's Korean?? OHMYGASSUKIMCH!!!!!!!!!" and the questions that follow.  But, I answered the questions, all the while secretly wishing I could hide under the table. Because inevitably, as soon as I say yes, it gets quiet and all eyes are on me.

The meal was good, the conversation was good. Heck, I even managed to introduce myself in Korean to the elders in the program (I'll explain the "elders" more in the next post). It was a round table-type deal. Stand up, give your name and age, sit down. When it was finally my turn, I covered my mouth and tried to hide my laughter. They clapped a bit and I felt a little better, still nervous about the prospect of using proper language to introduce myself (I've spoken with kids and my drinking buddies, proper conjugation and formality weren't needed). I giggled as I stood up, feeling completely foolish as I spoke. No, really. This is how it went:

Um....hi.....*giggle, turn away*. I'm Kandace. *giggle* I'm29yearsoldnicetomeetyou.  *giggle, hide my face in my hands*

One of the Radiant Ones said I did well. He gave me a 95% (-5 for confidence). Not bad, for a first try.