I should have been suspicious when my friend Linda entered the restaurant with a big box under her arm.  She's a sneaky one (but I must admit, she's my partner-in-crime).  Then a card was passed to everyone at the table except for me - my friends Jackie, Renate, and Sandi kept me entertained so I wouldn't ask to sign the card too or inquire what it was for.  I quickly surmised that the card and the gift were for me, for getting my degree. 

After the waitress took our order and returned with our drinks, Linda handed me the plain-paper wrapped box with a lovely orange ribbon and a white card.  I removed the card and Linda pointed out there was something missing wrapping paper and I looked and there was a large "8 inch" staring me in the face.  The waitress saw it and began to giggle as I turned beet-red.  Having memories of past gifts from my friends flash in my mind, I thought I was in for it again.  We were not at the NCO club as in years past where all sorts of naughty goodies were given for birthday and big occasions, so I hoped that being in a restaurant where families came, my friends would surely not pull another vibrating gift on me.  

After the blood left my face, I grabbed my camera for a photo while I was laughing, then took my chances of opening the gift.  I was pleasantly surprised that it did not vibrate, however, it needed electricity.  They gave me a 8 inch Video Photo Frame!  I could hardly believe my eyes; I'm spoiled. 

Speaking of being spoiled, my friends at work gave me a beautiful jewelry box, which is perfect for two other gifts I received.  Dawn gave me some gorgeous gold and amethyst earrings and Pam (Southernblog) gave me a beautiful silver and black bracelet with a silver heart with initial on it. 

The gifts mean the world to me and I will always treasure them.  I also treasure all the congratulations from all of you too.  I'm not "walking" until June, but I have my official transcripts and my company verified my degree.  My family is waiting until June for the festivities - or so I've been told.  Yesterday, at a family gathering, my aunt told me that someone should throw me a party and I laughed and said, "I'm off the party planning committee, someone else will have to take over." 

Yes, indeed.  The Party Planner Karen is off duty after the two big parties I planned this past year.  Now is MY turn to party! 

I cannot wait until Thursday to announce this major GEE WHIZ.  This is a GEE WHIZ that I've waited and worked so hard toward for four years. 

1. My Music final test, which I was worried about, I earned 232/245 - giving me a final 95.1% for the entire class, which equals a big, fat, GEE WHIZ A.

2. My Visual Arts final test, which I was not worried about, I earned 97/100 - giving me a final 95.16% for the entire class, which again, is a big, fat, GEE WHIZ A.   

3.  My grade point average (GPA) at the beginning of the last term was GEE WHIZ 3.81.   

4. My ending GPA, with the big, fat, GEE WHIZ A's, gives me a WOPPING GEE WHIZ 3.816 GPA.

What does all this mean?  GEE WHIZ, I can hardly contain my excitement (and tears of joy).  It means that I will graduate with freeking, GEE WHIZZING high honors, Magna Cum Laude.  I did it; I really did it. The one song pops into my head...I know, I'm sick.

What's up next?  I'm going to wait a year or maybe two to go for my masters.  I've already looked at two degrees that interest me:  Masters of Business Administraion or Masters of Communication and Leadership.  I cannot believe I'm already thinking about more school when I just finished the four years when I'm supposed to be thinking of all the FUN things I can do with my spare time.  Don't get me wrong, I'm thinking of FUN things but that masters thinking keeps sneaking in.