Passion

Graduation was great. My dad's sisters ended up missing it because they didn't leave their hotel early enough, but everyone else was there, though some were a bit late. I was really glad I'd gone to the biology graduation Friday, because the speakers there said relevant things, and the speakers for the Crown ceremony kinda sucked. But oh well. It was a beautiful day and I had my own cheering section. They were even all labeled with bright blue bandanas. I felt so special. :-P

We went up to Crown College afterwards for the reception, and got cake and lemonade and I took another pint glass. So now I have a matched pair of Crown College 2006 pint glasses.

The barbequeue back at my house was a little unorganized... but in the end, everyone got fed, and I think it turned out okay. There were a TON of people here. It was hard for me to comprehend the sheer number of people I was close to, all being in one room. Six grandparents, three parents, one sibling, six aunts or uncles plus their spouses, seven cousins, and four close friends. Four infants total. Plus some random people, spouses or tagalongs. Craaaaazy.

Neal dropped by to say hello, which was awesome. Then he said he was going to leave for Canada the next morning and wouldn't be back until June 28, so I might not see him again before I leave. And, completely surprising myself, I started to cry. It very slowly dawned on me that I love him. Silly Kara... all this time you were pouring effort into the wrong guy. You should have been concentrating on spending time with Neal, who loved you. And whom you somehow came to love back! Auck... I miss him! There are things to be said. Part of me is holding out hope that I can see him one last time before I drive across the country. Part of me is listening to Elliott Smith in a fervent attempt to make him materialize at my front door to take me climbing.

Monday I took Dad up to campus and showed him around. I took him to the bookstore and up through science hill to my lab, and introduced him to my grad student Tom. It was my last ever trip up to campus. That stage of my life is officially behind me. It was weird, sitting at the bus stop at Baskin, knowing it was the last time. After two years of doing research and getting off at that bus stop every day... it's going to be strange to go through the next phase of life with a different default bus stop.

It was good to see my dad, obviously. He did drive me crazy, though. He talks waaaaaaay too much. There is absolutely no way to get him to be quiet, short of telling him to be quiet, and of course that hurts his feelings. I love him so much, but honestly. Oh well. I wanted him here, and he came, and it was really, really good to see him.

Today I went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium with my aunt Sara and her family and Ann. I love Sara and her kids. If there was a "best family" award, they would so get it. ...It was a good day.

I'm exhausted. Maybe I'll go dig out my movies and put one in and try to pack some other stuff up. Then off to bed. Tomorrow, San Francisco with Ann, to see my dad's sisters again.