Graduation Day!

Well, I finally did it! I graduated from Graduate School with a Masters in Architecture! I started this journey 2 years ago, and at the time, never thought I would make it to graduation day! The past 2 years sure did fly by! It hasn't sunk in yet that I am done with school, and I'm sure it won't for a few weeks, but it is a great feeling! :-) Here are a few pictures from graduation:

Before the Graduation Ceremony

My Mom and I

Scott and I after graduation

Love,
Heather

Life Update!

I know, I know...I didn't finish my list of the 100 things I am thankful for before Thanksgiving. I tried, I really did but life just got in the way! The last two weeks have flown by! The week of Thanksgiving was busy for Scott and I. Scott worked Monday-Wednesday while I stayed busy working on my final studio project. By Thursday, we were both ready for a much needed break! For Thanksgiving, we joined my Mom at the Silvandale Range in Loveland to have dinner. Since it was just going to be the 3 of us this year, we decided not to cook a big dinner and instead enjoy a home-cooked buffet provided by the Ranch. The food was amazing, but I think the best part of the day was that it was 65 degrees outside! Yes, I said 65 degrees and sunny!!! After being at the Ranch for dinner and desert, Scott and I went home and put up our Christmas tree! We spent the rest of the evening laying around and enjoying some down time.

On Friday, Scott worked from home in the morning and I went shopping to cash in on some Black Friday deals! I didn't get up at 5:00 am, but still managed to get some good deals at Target later that morning. I really didn't have an agenda, I just went to get into the holiday spirit. However, I did find some deals that were too good to pass up, and left the store with a large shopping bag! :-) That afternoon Scott, my Mom and I went up to Estes Park to enjoy the Lighted Holiday Parade! We ate at Village Pizza (yum!) and shopped downtown before the parade began. The weather was nice and warm that day, but cooled off after the sun went down! We enjoyed hot chocolate to stay warm!

On Saturday, Scott surprised me with tickets to the Nutcracker for that night as my birthday present! I love love the Nutcracker! We went out to dinner in Downtown Denver before the show and then went to a bar that is located on the 27th floor of the Hyatt hotel in downtown that has a spectacular view of the city afterwards for a drink. The night was wonderful and exactly what we needed! I have the worlds greatest Fiancee! Sunday, my actual birthday, we spent the afternoon in Fort Collins with my Mom. She made me triple chocolate cake and we ordered pizza for dinner. I had a wonderful birthday and I have to say, it feels really good to be 26! 25 wasn't my best year, so I have high hopes for 26! ;-)

This week was another busy busy week for me! I had my final studio presentation yesterday, so all week I was preparing for that. My presentation went really really well and it's such a relief to be done. I can't believe I am done with studio forever! For the 6 years I have been in school, studio was always my first priority! Stress, tears, blood and all-nighters were a part of my studio life and for it to all be over is a little bitter sweet for me. Some of my favorite memories from college are of pulling all-nighters with my friends, watching movies on a screen we rigged up, listening to music loud enough that I could be heard from outside the building and sleeping in the carpet garden for an hour every 32 hours. I know it sounds more like slave work then fun, and it was, but I always managed to make the most of it. Had it not been for all the hours I have spent in the studio, I would not have the life long friendships that I have today! And that's what has made it all worth it!

Anyways, studio is done and over with and I have one test to go before I am officially done with the semester! Graduation is next Saturday at 9:00 am....why do they do that!? My Mom and Scott will be there in the audience cheering me on as I walk across the stage! Afterwards, we are going to have lunch at the Walnut Brewery in Boulder. The first time my Mom and I ate at the brewery I told her that I was going to apply to CU Boulder, that was in September 2002. By September 2003 I was attending CU Boulder. After that first time, my Mom and I continued to eat at the Walnut Brewery each time she'd come out to visit. It only feels appropriate that we go there to celebrate an end to a journey that started 7 years ago.

My list continued......
61. My parents for allowing me to follow my dream of becoming an architect even when it meant supporting my decision to attend the University of Colorado
62. The Alabama Christmas Album
63. Scott for supporting me and loving me through this last year
64. Snow!
65. My Aunt Clare and Cousin Danielle for always buying me such cute clothes for my birthday
66. Coffee (I'm sure it's already made the list, but I really love coffee)
67. Being able to work in the same office as my friend Tiffany, I probably don't get as much work done but it makes each day at work more enjoyable
68. Having 5 great years with my MacBook before it died....it was a sad day!
69. Staying in touch with old Friends
70. Friends (the TV show)...so many life lessons can be learned from just watching an episode!
71. Christmas Cards...one of my favorite things about the holidays!
72. Graduating with a Masters of Architecture degree in a week!
73. Being able to spend the holidays with both my Mom and Scott this year
74. Dance!
75. Friday afternoons

Well, that's all for now! I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and is remembering what this time of year is truly about!!!

Hugs & Kisses,
Heather