...In which our heroine has changed-- for good.

Its over, finally over. There was sorrow and joy, but mostly joy.

I am a high school graduate and still feeling pretty bittersweet about the whole experience. Yeah, of course I'm glad for no more late IB nights or hounding reporters about drafts or marching band, but I'm really sad about the people I might never see again.

On the way to school last night, "And She Was" came on the radio. It was a perfect song for the moment--"The world was moving, she was right there with it and she was." The whole experience seemed kind of surreal to me, from putting the gown on to lining up in Xavier's auxillary gym. It didn't seem real until I heard the first strands of "Pomp and Circumstance."

The ceremony was kind of upsetting, but mostly just annoying thanks to classless idiots and boring speeches. However, once the last name was called and the excitement began, the joy was infectious. The confetti blast at the end brought the joy to fruition. That was all the walk out of the auditorium was: pure joy. I can't even explain how excited I was to find Cassie afterwards, to walk out with her hand in hand, and hug and congratulate my peers.

It was a sad evening for me, but a lovely one, full of love and finality and elation. I felt surronded by all those that helped me get to this point, and I can honestly say I graduated high school without one regret. Sure I made bad choices, but I made plenty of good ones too and all of them together made me who I am today.

The fam went out to dinner then Cassie came over. She hadn't been over in a while and it was nice to just talk until 3AM and listen to Death Cab and Rilo Kiley and watch Daft Punk videos. That was joy, staring at the ceiling and talking and singing "The Sound of Settling" and...haha Motorhead. I can say I was lucky enough to find a best friend in high school who aligned so perfectly with me. I am also lucky for sitting next to Kevin and going to lunch with Kara, people I have known for thirteen years. Kevin said it best, "Thirteen years together, and this is the last time," while we were on the bus.

As always, music continually defines all the key moments in my life. Whether it was the A Cappella choir making me cry during "For Good," for all the truth those lyrics hold, or the turn on the radio which immediatley brought the lyrics "I've been waiting for this moment all my life, but its not quite right," from Silversun Pickups, or listening to "Layla" for the millionth time with Cassie, music equals memory.

High school is officially over. Semisonic said it best though--"Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end." The end has come, and I have been changed by Princeton, but because I knew you, I have been changed for good.