We're finally back from the Bahamas. We had a wonderful time! I'll go into more detail later, but it was so much fun. We loved the cruise!

Job Update

I am now in talks with seven stations! We got home and I've had two more stations to call me about a position. I also interviewed today with another one which went really well. Not giving anything away, but here's the states the jobs are in:

4 – Alabama
1 – Florida
1 – Georgia
1 – North Carolina

The FL and NC were the two that called while we were away. I'm hoping to talk to them Monday along with the one I ultimately want. Not too bad of a situation to be in…

This is the last update for a week! We're off to the Bahamas! That being said, the coveted job is still in the air (although still looking very good for me), and I have another interview one week from today. Not saying where, but we'll see how it goes. Only Amy knows for sure. Well, Melanie, too. And that's only because she played the guessing game and Amy couldn't keep it in when she got it right. Thanks, Honey. When I reveal where, you'll know why I kept it a secret.

Have an outstanding week! I'll be in Nassau thinking of you!

I had a really good day yesterday even though it was extremely busy. I got up at 5:30 to get ready before Amy and her mom. Justin then came by and picked me up around 7:35 or so. We got to Coleman Coliseum and stood around for well over an hour. Then, it was time! We walked out onto the floor and stayed there for almost two and a half hours. It was a long ceremony, but I'm now an alumnus of the University of Alabama! College is over, and I am as free as a bird to do what I want! What do I want to do? I dunno… I'm trying to just enjoy my new found freedom right now. Still waiting to hear from that job I want, but I was contacted last night by another station a little bit closer to home (not Dothan). So now, I'm in talks with five stations. Nice to have that problem, ya know? It would be nicer if I could get one of them to pony up an offer already, but oh well. I can stand to wait another week or more. After all, next week we're going to the Bahamas!

Back to yesterday… Those who attended my graduation were Amy, her mom, Dad, Mary, Melanie, Walker, Uncle Wilson, and Aunt Dot. I was very happy that they could all make it. With Mom not being able to be there, I needed support. After my degree was conferred, I just sat on the arena floor thinking about her and wishing she could have been there. But she's doing all right. I spoke to her just a few minutes ago. Anyhow, we all came back to the apartment and then went to Applebee's. It was the least crowded, but I like that place anyway. Afterwards, Shawn and Jennifer showed up at different times. It was great to see them considering how busy they are. And even after I promised Shawn I would jump on Xbox Live last night, I got sleepy and didn't make it.

Melanie and Walker stayed the longest. Amy's other sister, Sara, and her husband couldn't make it. It meant a lot to me that Mel and Walker came. Walker worked a double shift the other day just to be able to come. He has also recently suffered from migraine headaches, so that really meant a lot. This past semester has been really tough. I hadn't seen them since Christmas and really did miss them. I feel like I've not been the best brother-in-law, but now that school is over, I can start building those relationships again. I'll get to see them all next week with the cruise, so that will be good.

Tangents abound! Returning to yesterday, they left around 5:30. Amy and I went to the post office and to Justin's after that. I bought him a St. Louis Cardinals wooden pen and pencil set in a nice wooden case. I didn't have a lot to spend thanks to college life and poor jobs in general, but I could've smacked him. He gave me a framed Time magazine from September 1980. It has Paul “Bear” Bryant on the front drawing football plays in chalk. And… it's autographed. I was floored. It says, “2/2/82, Best wishes, Paul 'Bear' Bryant.” He bought it at this reputable gallery here in T-town where they sell a lot of specialty items like that. Justin is a heck of a friend. Not because of that, but we've become very close over the last year and a half. But he deserved to be smacked for that one. Thanks, man. I really do appreciate it.

In closing, what a day. I graduated, my grades are final, and now I'm relaxing. The job search will resume after the cruise if I don't get hired by then. Have a great day!

Well, this post is two-fold. Good and bad. Good news first…

I just found out my final grades. After taking 18 hours (one heck of a load) this final semester, I will graduate in the morning with A+, A, B+, B, B, B-. And that's in six hard classes (including a B in STATS! I stink at things like that). Final GPA (with hardly any studying over the last four years) is a 3.2.

Now the bad and heartbreaking news:

Yeah, I'll walk across the stage and get my Bachelor's Degree in the morning…

But I'll do it without Mom.

She has Crohn's Disease, and it's taken it's toll at a very bad time. I got a call yesterday (Saturday) morning from my cousin Jennifer. She told me Mom was in the hospital in Enterprise. My mother-in-law came into town for graduation, and she, Amy, and I headed down there. The doctor thinks she has a staph infection in her colon. And thanks to this, my mother will not be here for my graduation. My mom… the one who came to every little league game, band concert and contest, football game, both drum corps championships (Dallas and Madison), graduation (high school, USAF basic training, and junior college), and my wedding… won't be here.

I cannot describe how heartbroken I am. I've actually cried off and on all day. When we were leaving the hospital to come back up here to Tuscaloosa, I hugged Mom and just cried in her ear. I've cried with Amy tonight here at home. I'm just devastated. One of the happiest days of my life is also one of my saddest. At least I got to see her on Mother's Day.

I love you, Mom. Get well soon.

Amy went ahead and gave me my graduation present tonight. It's the one painting that I've been wanting for about, oh… 11 years!

Follow the link. I don't want to eat up your LJ space (or mine!)

My graduation gift from Amy