Carbon Copy

Master Copy

No, it's not a new express copy place a la Kinko's. Master Copy is my new title, as of yesterday. I now hold a Master of Arts in ... whatever. My diploma doesn't specify. It gives me a great amount of flexibility. The day was full of fluttering gowns and marching, and of course, picture-taking.

Jenn and I took a quick self-portrait (not even my idea, I'll have you know) before donning our caps and gowns.

And then I dropped mom off at Elliot Hall of Music and met up with Cristen, Tom, Meredith, Jenn, and Kyle where we took unflattering pictures that I won't post (seriously, that hood choked us and, as Tyra would point out, hid our necks - totally unflattering). But I feel that for posterity's sake, I should at least post one picture of me in my attire, so here's one that Meredith took:

We lined up, and I was number 2! Katie Bi was one person behind me, so I had someone to make fake polite conversation with while waiting, and then we started marching. This is my favorite part of graduation.

Here's a short video of what it sounded and looked like to promenade, with the bells pealing Hail Purdue and the band playing.

It wasn't Pomp and Circumastance, but they played a nice little victory tune as we marched up the steps into Elliot Hall.

A lot of girls wore shoes like these:

For about two minutes, I thought about wearing my three-inch wedges because they are cute and dressy, but then I remember all the walking I would be doing and decided on my decidedly less dressy flip-flops. After hearing all the girls complain, I was glad I decided to be practical.

Inside Elliot Hall:

After sitting down, I discovered that Meredith was directly behind me, and then Cristen was hidden behind Ernest (aka the Student), so we said Hi and chatted while everyone else continued to file in.

Pearls and Kirsten found each other, too, but my favorite person in this picture is the bystander. He looks awesome.

Jenn, Mere, Cristen, and I all texted throughout the ceremony. By far, the most texts were about how much we wanted this red robe.

At one point, the ceremony was very dramatic because of the music provided by the Glee Club. It sounded a lot like the end of Star Wars: the Phantom Menace. Check it out. They made great use of the screen. During Rev. Davis's "thought," the screen had serene clouds floating past and later there was a reflection of leaves. Billowing flags made and appearance and tear-jerking pictures of Purdue that evoked no response in this hardened heart. But after President Jischke's talk on American Exceptionalism, err, the American Dream and how we can all achieve it, I got to walk across the stage, shake hands, and receive my generic Master of Arts diploma. Thus, Master Copy, if you please.