Finals week is always something to mentally prepare for. You stay up late, your hygiene becomes questionable, and food is something that is thrown to the wayside. School takes over and nothing seems to go right.
BUT, last semester wasn’t bad, so I had high hopes for this semester…untilllllllllllllll
I got food poisoning on the first day of my finals.
I won’t go into the gory details, but it flat knocked me on my ass for days.
welcome to food poisoning // day one
I was nauseous, headaches, body aches, and I felt TERRIBLE. I think that I consumed a total of 8 saltines and a Gatorade in a span of 2 days.
Because of this grand ole time, I spent the time that I would’ve been in two finals, in my bed napping. I couldn’t sit up without getting nauseous, so I sure as hell was not going to make it to those classes. I even missed a review session for my final in my Earth Science class too.
All in all, 10 / 10 would NOT recommend.
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By Wednesday, I was feeling well enough to get out of bed and managed to stand! WOO! Brooke and I did our last hurrah meal at Aki Sushi — one of our faves for sure. I was feeling pretty jaded about food at this point, but I managed a few bites and got to nap when we got home after our lunch date. Roommate sushi dates were a highlight of our time together this year for sure.
On a side note — I filled out all of my necessary paperwork for my new place in Boston! Keep those check marks coming, babes. Doing the thing!!!
I spent a good two hours in the afternoon writing my cheat sheet for Earth Science and took my sleepy self to bed to prep for the next day.
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Thursday started off with my last appointment at CAPS — counseling. UGH, all of the feels. Seriously, I need a whole blog for the feels, but I graduated from CAPS by 9 a.m. with plenty of time to spare before I took my FINAL in person final of my collegiate career — arguably the one that I was both most concerned about and couldn’t care less about.
I also went to pick up my Honors tassel! WOOHOOO Summa Cum Laude baby. 🙂 Proud, proud Jo.
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After I friggin’ crushed my last exam, I said my final farewells to the office that has made this place (Eastern) feel like home. As part of our senior send-off, we each had a banner made in our honor. My banner was made by Wyatt, who was one of our newest hires in the office. Wyatt is kind, UBER sarcastic, and has such a huge heart. Our relationship is characterized by being borderline rude to each other and then making up for it by giving each other a big hug — unconventional, but accurate.
When presenting me with my poster, you could see the pride just oozing from his face. He had done his research — looking at some quotes that he felt represented who I am and what is important to me. He included lots of abstract shapes, because I love art and then there are some avocados…ya know, because I’m fresh. I think that’s what he said at least. 🙂
But Wyatt left me a big hug and that characteristic grin that told me how proud he was. You’re going to continue doing awesome, Wyatt. I’m excited for you. 🙂
“Ypsi will always be home, but here I come Boston!!!”
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After saying farewell to our office, I had to have one last hurrah with one of the people from our office who I spent the most time with. Ro offered to join me for running errands in Ann Arbor, loud music in the car, and my normal antics. I went and got my drug test done, my eyebrows threaded, and then we went to lunch. He treated me to a kids meal from Chipotle — still hella jaded about food, but managed to finish that bad boy. Ro, you’re an absolute gem and I cannot thank you enough for the countless hours of music, stories, photos, and friendship that the past 4 years have brought.
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I then had the privilege of ending my evening with one of my favorite monthly traditions — dinner with Mitchy. Once a month, Mitch and I would choose a restaurant, take turns driving, and catch up over damn good food — appetizer, entrees, dessert — the whole shebang. I appreciate ya for your wonderful company, great sense of cuisine, and endless judgey looks. You remind me that I’m both weird and great and encourage me to let loose and have some fun.
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At the end of this rather long week, I did the damn thing! I graduated college — holy heck, how does that happen? But to top off that accomplishment, it was so so sweet to have all of these people around me and rooting me on. I had plenty of others in spirit, but it was overwhelming to feel the amount of love from this group. Thank you for supporting me, cheering for me, helping me move out, and for showing up.
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And the last bittersweet moment of the week was saying good-bye to one of my best friends, my roommate, and my favorite project partner. In typical fashion, we had plenty of laughs, I cried, and lots of hugs. Throughout the week, Brooke delivered fluids and snacks for me, presented one of our finals, and we celebrated our accomplishment of finishing strong. We spent a year snacking, laughing, traveling, designing, and loving & supporting each other.
I can’t wait to stand next to you next summer as you marry Jacob. I can’t wait to come visit you in D.C. AND I can’t wait to continue making memories with you, ya weirdo. Love you lots, chicky.
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All in all, the last week wasn’t exactly what I had planned, but it was exactly what it needed to be.
Here’s a few more highlights of this past week :
cream & crumb pre-graduation desserts
yo girls, pop those hips!!
last ever p.f. changs lunch with momma after church // loved this tradition
College? CHECK.