Ah... The Sweet Taste of FREEDOM!!! :)

On Tuesday, May 17, 2011 I graduated High School. :) I am done! Forever! SO exciting. It didn't really hit me until I was walking across the stage, and then I was done. :)

At graduation practice it just felt like we were playing pretend, and then once we were all dressed up in our caps and gowns it just felt like we were playing pretend, and dress up. It didn't seem realistic at all, in fact, it felt very surreal. We walked out and pomp and circumstance was playing. Then after speeches by my principal, the valedictorian, and the salutatorian, we began to walk across the stage, beginning with all students with a 4.0 or above. Then the A's were called, then B's, and C's and then after much waiting the M's and N's, and then the O's and P's, and then it was our turn.

We stood up, and began walking towards the stage. At that moment I knew I was about to graduate, and I mean really graduate, something you dream about all through grade school. I was about to be done. First Hollie Roberts, and then Lindsey Roberts, and then Me... Amanda Katherine Robertson was called and I began to walk across the stage. I didn't hear what anyone said to me besides Mr. Parker telling me congratulations and that I looked pretty. All I could think about was that I was done, truly done with High School, that and how to walk and not trip... One foot in front of the other, it sounds easy enough, but that was all I could do... remind myself how to walk, to keep moving forward as my life was about to begin. My life after high school.

While sitting and waiting for my turn to finally walk across that stage, I began to feel bad for the people who no one shouted or applauded for, especially after the graduate before them got the loudest and longest applause. How does that make them feel? That has got to suck to know that no one cares that you just made it through 13 years of hard work, and that you were graduating. I felt so bad for these poor kids... and then I began to walk across that stage. As I said before, I didn't hear anything, I was in this bubble that no sound could penetrate, and it was so strange. I was told afterwards that my family was so loud, and I even went back and watched graduation to see, but in that moment I didn't hear anything. I hope that those other graduates felt the same, and that someone is proud of them, even if they didn't publicly demonstrate it.

After graduation, which lasted 2 1/2 hours, we headed to Olive Garden for a celebratory dinner. It was so nice to have my family, and my best friend there, supporting me, and showing me how loved I am. I am so blessed to have family and friends as awesome as them. :) We all had a great time at dinner with much laughs. I am so grateful for them, and for everything that I have been blessed with.

As many of you know I am going to be attending BYU-Hawaii in the fall. I am beginning to have some mixed feelings. I am so excited to go. I love the beach, and I think the school will be wonderful. I am beginning to realize just how much I will miss my family and friends though. I will be so far away from home, and I won't be back until Christmas. I will be in a whole new place where I will have to make new friends and find out where I belong. It is going to be challenging, but I can do it. It will be great, and I am so excited. I guess the best way to describe how I'm feeling is anxious. I am feeling very anxious.

Well, until later.

Southern Belle in Paradise