Ah, what a busy summer it has been!  Starting projects that I have not completed, you know, the usual.  I feel like I finally have time to do EVERYTHING - so, I’ve started doing just that: EVERYTHING.

My life is pretty much like this: Oh, wow, I have just come up with a good idea…oh wait, that spawns another, and, oh wow why don’t I try this…and pretty soon I have a notebook full of sketches and drawings for website ideas.
HELP ME -

So, basically my life has gone from crazy college-student to NORMAL.  It’s kinda weird, actually.  I guess I’m still in disbelief that I have actually graduated, I feel like any day now I’m going to get a bill from ISU that will have my schedule for the fall and the amount I owe. I guess that part of my life is over, now.  Well, maybe it depends on the type of person you are, that is really what decides if college is “over”.

Now, I know I may be one of about 5% of all Americans when I say this, but here goes nothing: I actually LIKE school.  It’s pretty much an addiction, and no, I’m not even kidding.  Already today I was looking up Masters’ programs online.

I think I have a problem.

And finally, I’m a bit disappointed that my diploma was not mounted on pure gold, however, I’m just glad that I finally have it.  Of course, it is not even personalized in the fact that it doesn’t list what type of specialization that my Bachelor of Science degree is in, but THANKS ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY FOR PROVIDING ME QUALITY EDUCATION.

I have NO idea where that text came from.  ISU probably has a text-replacer for when I type ISU HAS THE BEST EDUCATION SYSTEM EVER.

Yeah, I thought so.

In case you can’t read it, the text says:

“Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois
On recommendation of the President and Faculty, the Board of Trustees, by virtue of the Authority vested in it, has conferred on
Jillian Frances Kimberlin
the degree of
Bachelor of Science
and has granted this Diploma as evidence thereof this tenth day of May, two thousand and eight.

‘Signed’ by the Board of Trustees Chair and President of Illinois State University”

(Said with southern accident) I dun know whas’all that thar fancy-talk means, but I’ms a simple cuuntry girl who dun speak that language.

I dun gots me a edumakatin!

Small sacrificial animal? Check.
Emergency pleadings? Check.
Signed documents stating that I’m a legal U.S. Citizen? Check.
Credit Card report in hand? Check.

“Do you have an appointment with your academic advisor?” The student receptionist states clearly, hacking away on her computer. I glance nervously around the room; 10 people are crammed into chairs around the room, growling and snapping at each other - each has the same green tag with a large number on it and a person’s name on it.

“No, I came for…walk-in hours?” I say, watching a couple of students’ ears perk up expectantly for the show.

“I see,” The student says, sighing and hacking away on her computer. I hand her my ID and she types some more.

“Sacrificial animal seems in order,” She says, nodding to my animal. A few students growl expectantly. “Here’s your number.”

I take the number and look at it; it has a large black “1″ on it followed by “Kristine” in smaller letters.

“But…I’m the first in line?” I ask hesitantly, as if she is going to yank the precious number away from me and hand me something along the lines of what the other students are getting - between ten and oh, FIVE HUNDRED.

“Yes, please take a seat,” The girl says. I turn towards a pack of students situated in the corner. They growl menacingly.

“Next in line,” Kristine comes out with a large name tag situated on her shirt, holding a 12-gauge shot gun and a cattle prod. I look back toward the pack of students who sink into the shadows and I follow her inside.

“So what can I do for you?” She says, situating herself behind the computer.

“Well, I need an override for a class I need to take for Spring semester,” I say quickly, fishing out my emergency pleadings for good measure.

“I see,” Kristine says, “And are you graduating in May?”

“Yes ma’am,” I say, taking out my legal documents and credit card report.

“All seems in order,” She says, taking my documents. “What class did you need an override for?”

“Finance, Insurance and Law 240, it’s for my minor and the only non-major blocked class is conflicting with another class during the same time,” I say promptly.

“I see,” Kristine says again, “And you can’t sign up for any other sections for the other class that is not FIL 240?”

“No ma’am,” I say.

“Alright, well, your override is in the system now, so feel free to register for the other classes!” She says, smiling and standing up as if seated on a pincushion.

“But…that’s it?” I say blankly, holding out my sacrificial animal, “I brought you an animal, though.”

“I see, well, I won’t be needing that now. Have you gone to visit your academic advisor for your major yet?”

“No, not yet,” I say solemnly, tucking the animal into my bookbag.

“Nice meeting you,” Kristine says, holding out her hand.

“Thank you, very much,” I say, shaking her hand and turning away to leave.

“Wait!” Kristine suddenly yells out in a panic, “did you sign the waiver stating that if you were to be killed while exiting this room that ISU cannot be held responsible?”

“Yes, I believe so,” I say nervously, looking through the door at all of the students’ faces pressed against it.

“Okay good,” She says, her voice normal, “All is in order then; have a good day.”