Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end....

Well, it's hard to believe but today is the last day of my adventures in graduate school! It's been a fast 2 years and, at the same time, a slow 2 years. It truly has been an adventure for me, filled with so many new experiences. Who would have thought that I would actually have moved away for school for 2 years, lived on my own and come out of it all with the key to many of my dreams? Not the quiet, shy girl who began this adventure. I have learned alot (about myself & others), gained alot (new friends & colleagues), missed alot (birthdays of loved ones, family & friends), lost alot (Pops, SmurfEtte), acquired alot (fiance, the key to my career) and accomplished alot (Master's degree!).

When I first began this graduate program, the professors told us that we would be changed by the program and would not be the same people when we left here that we were when we arrived. I wondered how I would change; would it be for better or for worse, would it hurt, would others notice? Part of me didn't even believe them b/c I was convinced that I already knew myself as well as anyone could. Yet, as I reflect back today I have changed from the person I was when I arrived, definitely for the better. I am more aware of my strengths, I have worked on the parts of myself that I need to, I have become more friendly and more assertive and I look forward to continuing to grow as a person & as a professional. My knowledge of the profession has definitely increased and even more than that my passion for this career has become even stronger (which I did not think possible!)

So when I pack up the U-Haul tonight and tomorrow, I will be packing up 2 years worth of hard work and memories. And when I leave my little mountain house tomorrow (when it will no longer be "my" little mountain house), I will be heading towards that which I have worked so hard for and wanted for so long....a career as a counselor. And, as an added bonus, I will be doing so as the fiance of the guy I have loved for so long (we got engaged February 24 of this year).

So that will likely be the end of this blog of my Adventures in Graduate School....b/c I am on to new adventures!