So today was a big day - I finished that school thing called college. It's been a long, hard road, but it's finally done. I got all gussied up in a cap and gown and stoles so I could march in a procession, cross a stage, and receive several pieces of paper that are all I have to show for the large amount of money that was spent on my education.

I had been really worried about the weather, first they were saying it was going to be 90°, then there was a chance of thunderstorms, but in the end it was overcast and in the mid 70s with a slight breeze - that is to say, perfect. The ceremony still took a while with its pomp and circumstance, but I suppose I should be fortunate that there were only four hundred-something people in my graduating class and not four thousand or more.

But it's done now, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much. And they even pronounced my last name right, so there's a plus.

What now, you ask? Now I wait for paperwork and security clearances to be processed so that I can hopefully start working for the U.S. Army doing some fun and secret R&D stuff. I look forward to it immensely.

For those interested, here's a list of the pieces of paper that I got:

• Bachelor of Engineering - Computer Engineering (with High Honors)
• Minor in Electrical Engineering
• Graduate Certificate - Secure Network Systems Design
• Graduate Certificate - Networked Information Systems
• Master of Engineering - Computer Engineering (concentration in Image Processing and Multimedia)