graduation day...

on friday afternoon, i walked across a stage at school to receive my diploma from the legal admin program. even though i've already graduated from college and university before, i never went to any of the ceremonies. but i figured since this one got me a job, i would go and do it.

being ushered in.

high honours! what what!

//

what can i say, we value education.

i was pretty nervous throughout the ceremony, but i didn't fall across the stage, and i didn't pass out, so win! and now that that's done, i think the school life is officially behind me.

done...

today i write my last exam for this program; as of 1pm, i am completely done! finito! this year has gone by incredibly fast, and i'm glad to have finally found something i (seem to be) enjoying. i came out on the top of my class, and i start an amazing placement on tuesday which will go for the next 4 weeks. i'm crossing my fingers extra tight that i will get hired on after that, as they've made it clear they do like to hire their students and build them from the ground up.

this program marks my second diploma, along with my degree. i can only hope that this is the end of the road school-wise, unless an employer wanted me to upgrade in the future. i have pretty high hopes that is this going to work out, though. i can now call myself a legal assistant! i might not have any experience yet to back that up, but it's coming. (related post here about deciding to apply)

 throw a party hat on - i'm done!

chloe isn't quite showing her excitement like i am.

we don't have any major plans this weekend to celebrate other than maybe going shopping tomorrow. i may or not treat myself to a grad gift, we'll see how generous i'm feeling. plus, it's my third time graduating post-high school, so it's not a huge deal, but it still feels like another accomplishment. yay!

conGRADulations...

this passed thursday, dylan had his grad ceremony, very early in the morning. it was a little long, but some of the speeches were quite good. i was pretending they were speaking to me too, since i didn't go to my own ceremony last year. it made me so happy to see dylan walk across that stage and shake the hands of all the important people and know that it's now official.  we made it through college, and now university, with the help from each other.

we were on the first balcony (i was with his parents), and it was rather dark in there, so i was nervous about how my pictures would turn out. i still have no idea about aperture, f-stop and all that. luckily, i had my close-up lens and i kind of fiddled around while other  names were being called to get the right settings on manual. i think i did alright!

 pre-ceremony.

 all the grads who had just walked in. and they went further back, too. there was a lot.

the important people. dressed to show they are.

 dylans turn!

 so happy :)

 stride across the stage.

the handshake.

woohoo!

afterwards, dylan changed into regular clothes and we went for a quick little celebratory lunch at our favorite pizza place; NaRoma pizza. i swear i could eat this pizza every day. it's that good.

dylan isn't really a fan of the one i get, but i'm obsessed!! which is weird because i don't normally eat onions or prosciutto. (mozzarella, triple cream brie cheese, prosciutto, fig jam, caramelized onions, arugula, and reduced balsamic). i want a piece immediately!

after lunch, we stopped by the place where it all started, 6 years ago...

grad celebrations and a little blue box...

as i mentioned in my last post, friday night i went out with my parents and dylan to celebrate my grad. finding a nice restaurant was actually pretty hard, but i ended up going with the Ancaster Old Mill, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. it was so beautiful. lots of photos...

the fam-jam

stairs down to the restaurant

 hey look at us, we're cute ;)

i want to have more reasons to celebrate, so we can eat here more often ;)

just waiting for our table.

so, who do i look like?

the boys

lookin' out at the beautiful waterfall while we eat. so nice.

complimentary fish something (dylan ate 2 pre picture, and no one else touched it, we're not big on fish), my dad and i both had the chicken, mom's pasta, and dylan's fish.

 my mom had the tiffany bag in another gift bag. sneaky sneaky.

surprised and excited! what could it be??

 love! fits my tiny wrists perfect too :)

finally ready for dessert. well my mom and dylan anyways. left: chocolate donuts with banana cream sauce and walnuts. right: puckery lemon tart.i obviously tried them both-delish.

one more on the way out. not sure why we're leaning...

overall, it was a great night. we were there for just over 2 1/2 hours. looking out at the waterfall was awesome, and so relaxing. they also had a guy playing the piano and singing quietly. all good choices in songs too, i might add. it was nice to sit and relax a bit between dinner and getting dessert and coffee too. and getting gifts lol.  my parents are too good to me. 

(ps, i pretty much want my wedding here now. there are a lot of room options and all have great views. i would pick this over a hall wedding any day. no offense.)

"go confidently in the direction of your dreams|live the life you've imagined" thoreau

-from a maget they also got me