We've Graduated!! (well sorta...)

Ok so we haven't totally finished here at Stanford...But we've gone through the whole tradition of putting on the long black gown, pinning the square cap on and walking on stage in the hopes that we don't trip :) It's been 10 long months now and we've finally finished all the coursework. The light at the end of the tunnel is now in sight and we've got just a little left to go. The only thing that stands in our way is the monster of a monograph...The bright side is that this gives us more time to blog and scratch more off our Daisakusen list!






The main ceremony was highlighted by a very inspiring address given by the one and only Oprah Winfrey. Of all the commencement addresses we've sat through (in any language) they have not been as engaging and attention-holding as Oprah's was:

"When you're doing the work you were meant to do, it feels right. And every day is a bonus, regardless of what you're getting paid."

Although car keys were not found under our chairs, she did give two books from her famous book club to every graduate...can't wait to actually have time to read them!





The much more intimate School of Education ceremony proved to be more symbolic than anything as we were officially "hooded" by our program director, Christine Min Wotipka.

Step 1: Hand hood to Christine
Step 2: Kneel down and exercise those leg muscles as she unbuttons the hood.






Step 3: Smile big as you wait for Christine to "hood" you.
Step 4: Shake hands with Dean Stipek and receive your empty diploma holder.















Although we won't be completely done until we turn in the hard copies of our monographs by August 13th and we won't technically receive our diplomas until NEXT YEAR, we survived the very warm and long day of a time-honored tradition.

Cheers to THE BEST writing group!

Golf Carts, Alien Spaceships, and Spring Flowers

In our busy spring quarter, we managed to squeeze in some fun. Okay, maybe only once.
We took advantage of Julie's handicapped service by hopping a ride on the golf cart that came to pick her up when she was recovering from her knee surgery. Even though we're smiling in the picture, we were clinging on to the back of the chair for our lives. A golf cart doesn't seem to go fast at first, but when you have no seat belts to protect you, it is definitely a lot scarier than you think.

The rest of spring quarter could be described as a mix between a blur and torture, sprinkled with a lack of motivation to do anything. Aside from readings, readings and more readings, and monograph data collection and more data collection, Melissa and Angel didn't really have a life.

Nevertheless, 1000 policy articles, 500 surveys and 22 interviews later, the silver lining appeared and we got our opportunity to start exploring again!

Our first stop was the Rodin Sculptures near the Cantor Art Musuem. Behold, the Gates of Hell.

Originally, we had wanted to visit the museum's galleries. Seeing that free admission started on Wednesdays, feeling the emptiness in our wallets, and considering we came on a Monday, we changed our mind.

We redirected toward the Medical School Plaza. On our way to find food, we noticed cool lights outside the Medical building. We couldn't resist to take a shot of it.





It looks like an alien spaceship! Beam us up, Scotty!
Take us away....!







Stomachs a bit rumbling, we stopped by Alway Cafe. It was a small eatery serving Asian and Italian food. While Angel stabbed at her Veggie Teriyaki bento, Melissa had the lasagna.























Outside of the Cafe, was a beautiful courtyard garden with flowers in bloom.
Melissa said, "These flowers are as big as my head!"















The adventures continued to the Oval, where more flowers were showing off their colors. See the "S" for Stanford?














After picking up our graduation cap and gowns, we hopped into Melissa's car en route to Angel's car parked near the Cantor Art Museum. Yet, as we glided across hot 90+ degrees of asphalt, we noticed a sign that pointed in the direction of the Jerry Yang and Akiko Yamazaki Environment and Energy Building, also known as Y2E2. Spontaneously, we turned into the nearest parking lot to explore the building.


The inside was amazingly new and silent. The lobby was beautiful, and instantly became a possible candidate for ideal locations to write our monographs during the summer.

Additionally, the directory for the building was awesome: "Innovation doesn't discriminate and it doesn't distinguish between academic disciplines." Thus, all the different divisions, despite their color codings, are instead interconnected. How profound!















May ended before we knew it, but June marks the beginning of more adventures. Really, we promise! So, see you soon!