Movin' On

This week, despite all the fun I’m having in Ireland, my mind can’t help but wonder about the atmosphere on the other side of the pond.

Some 3,000+ miles away in Happy Valley, I would be one of over 12,000 seniors walking across the stage of the Bryce Jordan Center on Sunday claiming that ever so expensive piece of paper that we all deserve: a bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University.

It literally feels like yesterday that I received my high school diploma and said goodbye to my family and friends for the first time. As anxious and worried as I was that first day of college, it’s amazing how much my perception of Penn State and I, as a person, have changed. Now all of a sudden, I’ve blinked my eyes and the greatest four years of my life are in the past. I am a college graduate, and ready or not, it’s time to embark on the next chapter of my life.

God only knows what my future will bring. I definitely hope to find myself engaged as a full-time elementary school teacher, but we all know that dreams and reality are two completely different worlds. I could end up becoming a doctor for all I know (yeah, right.). But all kidding aside, I am leaving Penn State with an open mind and whatever happens – happens.

I keep telling myself that I’ll never be living young and wild and free in Ireland ever again as I battle severe FOMO (fear of missing out) while writing this. But it absolutely kills me that I can’t be at Café 210 this weekend (and every other bar for that matter) leaving a solid mark on State College with the rest of the Class of 2012. 

From our individual accomplishments to our university-wide achievements, WE ARE members of arguably the most historical senior class ever to graduate from Penn State. From the Jerry Sandusky case, to the announced retirement, firing, and death of our greatest hero, to a record-breaking 10.7 million dollars raised for pediatric cancer research, our senior year is one that will undoubtedly live forever.

And so I leave you with these lyrics, 

directed to my fellow seniors 

and especially those at PSU 

graduating from college this weekend:

When one door opens 

To another door closed, 

I hope you keep on walking 

Till you find the window… 

And when you get the choice 

To sit it out or dance, DANCE.

Most importantly, 

don’t cry because it’s over – SMILE because it happened J

CONGRATULATIONS to all of you 

and best of luck in all of your future endeavors, 

whatever they may be!

I’m off to Cork for a long weekend and you better believe I’ll be celebrating!

We Are, and always will be, Penn State.

Love Forever,

Anna