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Graduation!!

Wow, it's been a while since I last posted. So here goes. The day of graduation looked to threaten rain showers to start out with, but it turned into a beautiful day. It was a little chilly, but that's better than steamin' hot. The Baccalaureate started the day off at 10:00 and then Mom, Dad, and I went to the President's luncheon accompanied by Nate. We then gathered for a class picture and proceeded to line up for the processional. The speaker kept it lively and short (I thought), and then I recieved my piece of paper that says I have a degree - I felt like a whole new person....not really! I hd the pleasure of going around to greet and hug friends and family and friends' families afterwards. I dragged Philip along to take pictures. Later, we had a party at the PhiloBets place. Dad grilled up some delicious meats which was complemented by salad, pasta salad, chips, and fresh mint tea. We finished up the evening by playing a rousing and competetive game of Bocce Ball. It was a close game but Jared, Rebekah, and David ended up edging out a win over Anita, Philip, and I.

Martin and Vincent chilling at the Commencement. Poor Vincent hurt the underside of his foot when he stepped on a man-hole cover. Martin had to rush him off to dress the wound and they missed a little of the program.

The Sibs - in order of graduation/pending graduation from left to right. Martin was missing and we were missing Candice and Carmen - it's just not quite the same without you!

Mom and Dad being all proud of me and me smiling like a doofus!

The commencement exercises did get a little long for those of us not involved in the graduation itself - I did get a little antsy myself after the B.A.'s were given. We were outnumbered about 3 to 1 by the B.S.'s I believe.

My good friend Nate Rittenhouse and I. We shared lots of good times together and will continue to do so by nature of us being housemates this upcoming year. We will be renting an apartment in Bridgewater.

...and good times were had by all. I can say that I'm glad and relieved that it is all over - kinda crazy.

Love to you all,
Diech

Some Memories...

there seems to be a trend, and i'll pick up on it a bit. My memories of Grandma Showalter don't go as far back as some, but I'll take a stab at it. There couldn't be a trip to Grandma's without popcorn and popcorn was sometimes followed by soda cheese and sometimes ice-cream. I remember many a game of Rummikub (spelling) and a weird dominoes with triangle-shaped tiles. But even farther back are memories of the lazy-suzan type spinny thing and blur of touch-lamp and forest. I also remember going back into the game-room(before the games were moved to the shed)/ceramic room to pick out games such as the cartoon card game with the beanesque buttons (memory?) or the hungry hippo or aggravation or sorry!. Perhaps the most famous G-ma game was peggity, which could turn into the battle of the wills or survival of the awakest. Grandma was always a judicious peggity player and it was hard to slip one by her. Rebekah, Jared, and I were playing with her a couple weeks ago and we had to wake her up every turn, but still she hung in there. Other memories include Showalter gatherings, staring at the sand and fan, listeing to Hank Williams with Marguerite, the carpet, getting games from behind the sofa, marbles, the river and snow, glass sliding cupboards, checkered chairs frequented by cats, being curious but afraid of the wood stove (i think i may have had a bad experience with it), pickupsticks...etc. Many good times were had and Grandma would always be there with an "oooh" and a chuckle and maybe an "i don't know" (sound familiar Mom?) which was an expression of? you name it. A toast to the hostess.
-Dietrich