The past month, and really the past week especially, has been quite the whirlwind. Between moving back to California and starting basically from scratch with friends, work, living, etc., finishing a project to finally complete my law and MPH career, my cousin getting married, and catching up with everyone in Indy-I'm exhausted!
Rehearsal Dinner
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| It was just like Sex and the City |
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| Resemblance? |
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| Reds stadium behind us. Classy event with a little baseball thrown in making this the perfect dinner for the happy couple |
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| Chili cheese dog? Yes please...I'll take that with a side of Cosmo. Not pictured here: the potato chips, pizza, salad, pasta, and ice cream sundaes which we later consumed. |
Ladies Luncheon
While the bride and bridesmaids were getting beautified, all the ladies went to a funky little lunch place. It was very nice to meet the Dockendorff family before the wedding that evening! We had to boost our side of the church!
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| The Tortorich girls |
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| More Tortorich girls.... |
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| ....and more! |
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| My cousin Kirsten |
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| Auntie Judy and Grandma Dockendorff |
The Wedding
The wedding was so much beautiful, fun, and relaxing. It started with a big Catholic ceremony:
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| Standing in front of Mary. Her veil was so beautiful-her nephews thought it was a cape. |
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| These babies stole the show. One of them stripped down at the wedding, but kept the bow tie on-he was the hit of the dance floor that's for sure |
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| The bridal party. They can totally wear those dresses again |
After Party
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| Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Trisha Dockendorff |
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| First dance. |
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| The happy couple |
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| We clean up nicely. Anyone recognize that dress? |
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| My date. He even matched! Good job Joe! and in the words of my mother, "wow you get ready like way faster than any of us!" |
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| The fam |
Thesis
Well, my final paper wasn't exactly a thesis it was more of a final concentration project that I had to present in order to complete the Masters program and receive my J.D. There really is no reason to rehash the tremendously complicated and stressful ordeal leading up to this presentation. It is suffice to say, I presented a day later, rocked it, and received confirmation from my adviser that I have completed all necessary requirements for my program. So it is without further ado that I say, "I AM A GRADUATE!" It wont really seem real to me until I get that diploma in the mail, but as far as I know, I am finished.
I still have the bar to complete (and fingers crossed, pass) but with respect to school, this part of my life is over. It's been a bit of a turmoil and self-discovery process these past few days as I come to grips with the fact that a huge part of my identity (school) is now over and finished possibly forever. On the flight back from Indianapolis to California I had way to much time to think and figure out what I want to do with my life. Though, I still have no clue what I'm going to do with myself, I do know I need a makeover-like major! We're not talking hair cut (though I need that as well), what I'm talking about is a full body and mind fresh start. I realized I have very few hobbies and I have a really hard time just sitting and relaxing-two things I really need to work on. I have a part-time job that I very much enjoy, but it is by no means what I want to do permanently. I have a few things on my life list that have collected dust over the past few years and I think it's high time I revisit the things I used to love to do. Working out and getting this little body back in undergrad shape is #1 priority!
Special Thanks
As a final reflection, I want to thank all my family, friends, acquaintances, roommates, bosses, and the people at Starbucks for being a part of the hardest three years of my life!
A special thanks to my family, to the Dockendorff's for hosting me at Thanksgiving and being my family contact while all the way across the country.
To my immediate family for just being the best three people and supports a girl could ask for. My sister especially for always saying the right things and for listening to my sobbing phone calls.
For all the people I worked with-Phyllis, Cindy, John, Steve V., and Professor McCabe and Professor Rong, for being wonderful role models and helping me navigate through the crazy working and academic world!
To my roommates, Par, Tudor, Joe, Alissa, and most recently, Alex (even if it was just for a week) because I can't imagine it was easy to live with this little stress case! You all listened to me as I poured my problems and drama on you and stayed my friend even after you realized i was nutty!
To all of my friends both in Indy, Bay Area and San Diego, for visiting me and listening to me when I was miles away!
To my Chicago and MPH friends, Lauren, Sarah, Katy, Cara, Jameela and Pooja-thank you for meeting me for drinks and grabbing coffee when I really needed an "outside law" ear!
To Kate, Trevor, Sharon, Brian, Ness, Jackie, and Jess-even though not living next to you, you stayed up with my life, and stuck by me even though I was hundreds of miles away!
To my Chicago and MPH friends, Lauren, Sarah, Katy, Cara, Jameela and Pooja-thank you for meeting me for drinks and grabbing coffee when I really needed an "outside law" ear!
To Kate, Trevor, Sharon, Brian, Ness, Jackie, and Jess-even though not living next to you, you stayed up with my life, and stuck by me even though I was hundreds of miles away!
Lastly, to my little group of Indy friends, Olivia, Ben, Heather, Jordan, Shannon, Andrew, and Par, you were my family and rock for three years. Through all the ups and downs, my friendship with all of you will be in my heart forever. I love you as if you were family, and I can't imagine being as close to another group of friends as much as I was with all of you.
So thank you to everyone, and I love all of you very much!
Now it's time for my life to start....
