Last Picture from my window.
We'll, I'm done with college. I completed my Masters on May 13, 2005 (a Friday, nontheless) and got my hood. I had to give the hood back though, because it was $60.00. The pic above is the last one I took from my window. Never realized that would of been my last snapshot from the piece of glass I fought the school for. The last night at WIU I didn't even get to see the sunset, and I also didn't care. Actually the last night was rather disapointing, as much as I like going with a group of children to Rocky's...
The pic is kind of fitting for me leaving WIU. Maybe I'm like the balloon. WIU has filled me full of knowledge and now I'm ready to float up, up, into the sky, and go to marvelous places. Another might say that such a vessel is full of "hot air" and not made for long distances or disadvantageous conditions. That would be a more fitting description of my "higher eduction" at the Institution in Macomb, Illinois.
Leaving WIU was less about getting the degree and more about leaving one home for something new. To say a lot has happened at WIU would be an understatement. I had met many people, and done a fair number of things. Going to college, I had no idea what to expect. I thought I might end up like I did in High School and not talk to many. I wouldn't do much, go to class, and sit in my room and play games or something. Well, that didn't exactly happen...and many times I think I would of been better off if it had. If I hadn't met two people my first year at WIU that probably would of been my fate. I'd still have to say that after all is said and done, my best semester was the first one where I hung out with Ian all the time and played DOA and watched Lain. We ate pizza from the top floor of Higgins, we tolerated Ness. It was great. I would also spend most lunchs eating a calzone, watching Kids In The Hall, and trying to avoid Lockjaw and Specters at the Oasis in Everquest. It was great.
Once Ian left, my time was full of many struggles, with a lot of different people. Some of these struggles were my fault, some of them were above and beyond the call of dutry, some of them were just stupid, some of them were really sad, some of them were full of victory and triumph.
I'm not saying I didnt have fun either. I had a great amount of fun at WIU with Ian, Helen, Julia, Josh, Sean, Ryan, Doug Bollin, Stephany, Zach, Angie, Aaron, Pete, Chris, and my brother. Layman and I became great friends again, which is worth much more than a footnote in this update. Mona and I met and we did a ton of stuff together, and I learned and experienced a great deal with and from her.
But this is sounding pretty upset and pissed off. And I guess that's because that is how I feel about WIU in the end. I didn't leave with a big smile on my face, a degree in my hands, and one of this t-shirts that say "college" on them. Taking stock of all events and stuggles, I dont' like how it ended up. My first memories of the last 5 years are all those struggles. And I don't like how I ended up in the end after all the struggles. This will probably be my prevailing view of college.
One thing I can say with complete certainty is that I always did my best. For myself, and especially for others. Maybe that's why I ended up unhappy.
Don't cry for me though. I'm doing just fine. I've got a great job, a very nice place, I like where I'm living, and I have the best computer in Bloomington. I don't have any right to complain...huh? No right to be bitter.
Anyway, I'm in Bloomington now working as a Test Coordinator at Statefarm. It's not my first job...It's the start of my career, as I intend to be going somewhere in a few years. As soon as possible. The job seems to be more management than CS. I will be coordinating testing efforts for projects throughout many people, developers, and departments. Not only is there new programs for advancement at Statefarm being put into place, but it'll also look quite nice on a resume. I'm having fun too. Finally made it to the Art Institute in Chicago and got to stand infront of La Grande Jette like Cameron. Also went to the Field Museum and Millenium Park the two days I was in Chicago over Memorial Day, with Mona.
So there's my update. Could say a lot more, and probably said more than I should of, especially for people that like to read between the lines. Just like my old livejournal days. Well, I'm not drunk when writing this and going to make it private at 3:30 a.m. today.
So what now? I remember the first thing I said my first night at WIU immediately after my parents and brother left me and drove off. I was standing at the trashcan next to h lot walking towards Higgins.
"And where does the newborn go from here? The net is vast and infinite. "
I bet at least one person from the list above knows where that is from.
And the most important lesson I learned from WIU...You never know what tomorrow will bring, and if there was anything ever worth drinking to, it is tomorrow.
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