Graduation...and now onto the REAL WORLD!!

So it's official-I am a college graduate! I have finished my undergraduate degree in International Relations with a minor in French (member of the foreign language's honor society!) The graduation ceremony was yesterday (Sunday, May 24th) at 9am. The weather was absolutely perfect. Warm but not hot, breezy but not windy! I had so many that came to support me. Mike and Kathy Barton. Toni, Anthony and Ri-bug Keenan. Heather, Beau, Jenn and Pat. Carol, Jack, Betsey, John and Bev. Miss Auntie Suzanne! My dad, Brett, and Max. Erin and Geno! The entire Nelson Family and of course Grandma. And last but certainly not least...my Tommy. My grad party was up at the Nelson's house, Lisa graciously hosted the party. She of course hosted an amazing party, full of fun times, laughter, smiles, and incredible food (per normal). It was definitely rough not having my mom there during the ceremony but my dad picked up my necklace that my Grandfather had given me from my mom the day before and was resourceful enough to get it to me during the ACTUAL CEREMONY via a security guard. GO DAD! I called my mom in the middle of the ceremony so that in a sense she was there with me. I think she really liked that. Everyone was so dang amazing. I am no doubt a blessed individual.
And now...onto the real world...more to come...

Listen

Obviously based upon the name of my blog, music is extremely important to me. I have always wanted to have music be a part of my career but I long ago realized that I wasn't talented enough to make it in the music business. Yet, even with that blow to my dreams, I know that music will always be a vital part of my life and I truly believe music can change your life. I always wanted to sing on a huge stage, and make a music video...touch people through my music just like so many artists have done for me in my past. So many songs/artists have given me the strength, power, sight to know what was meant to be and how to continue to live even when life's road got bumpy.
So the reason for this blog?
A list of songs that have changed my life...it will obviously not be complete, but a beginning...

Listen- Beyonce (preferably from the movie Dreamgirls because well yea, just watch it!)
Lost- Anouk (I cry literally every time...also if you enjoy dance watch the So You Think You Can Dance video with the song)
All I Want to Do- Sugarland
Stay- Sugarland
Bleeding Love- Leona Lewis
I Am Changing- Jennifer Hudson
Because Of You-Ne-yo
I Got Rhythm- Lena Horne
You'll Think of Me- Keith Urban
Just A Dream- Carrie Underwood
Seasons of Love- Rent (amazing!)
I'll Cover You (Reprise)- Rent (I cry every time I listen to it)
Don't Think I Don't Think About It- Darius Rucker
Defying Gravity- Wicked
For Good- Wicked
Waiting For the World to Change- John Mayer
Lucky- Jason Mraz (featuring Colbie Caillet)
You're Beautiful- James Blunt
I Don't Want To Be- Gavin DeGraw

I guess that's about it for now...
More later-

When It Rains It Pours...Now Waiting For The Rainbow

And I'm sick...lol...Monday night after Math Club Pizza night I went straight home and got into bed, slept until 10 when Tommy kindly reminded me to take my meds and continued to sleep fitfully for the rest of the night from night sweats. Tuesday went to the health center ("Ahhh, you have cold- we take coulture for strep- take these meds, you done") Thanks mr "Dr." I could have freaking told you that. No word back from the health center so I'm assuming negative on the strep (shouldn't people call you back no matter what your results?) I've officially lost my voice, at least it's better than last night when I seriously thought my throat was going to burn off because it felt like everytime I coughed (which of course I had to do every 20 secs) was being rubbed with sandpaper! FUN! Other than that...today I'm feeling better, slept a lot (at Tommy's convincing), and now attempting to do some homework, well after this post.
On the up side finally got the Chicago family in the loop about everything going on with mom and family has been literally coming out of the woodwork to send love, support and prayers. My great Aunt is even talking about coming out to Reno to visit mom when she's a bit better and can talk. I think that part that meant the most to me about their support was that EVERY SINGLE ONE of them supports my decision to continue with my degree and graduate this May. They all said that that is exactly what my mom would want me to do. Not that I really needed the validation but it was nice to have them all in agreement and especially family that have known and loved my mom forever.
Another good note is that my mom is supposed to go in and have her trach put in tomorrow. They had planned on doing it on Monday but when she wasn't strong enough and her oxygen levels weren't as low as the doctors wanted they decided to postpone the procedure.
Currently my brain is on overload. I know I was ALREADY behind in my classes because of everything with my mom but now with me being sick it's simply just made it worse. I'm hoping against hope and praying with all my might that I will be able to pull it together and make it through with decent grades. It's rather disappointing since it's my final semester but I'm hoping that if future employers see my transcripts and ask why my grades were less strong my last semester of my senior year I will have a better answer than, "well I took off some time..."
Blah...okay enough...at least this time I had some positives right? Lol
Off to write a summary of the author of Cyrano de Bergerac. Jealous, much?

First Blog

So after reading numerous friends (and random people's) blogs I decided that perhaps this was the best way for me to express myself during this thoroughly stressful, anxious, sad, happy, enjoyable, scary time in my life.
For those who don't know me, I'm Em- I live in Chico, CA and I'm finishing up my degree this May from Chico State! HORRAY!!! I live with my amazing boyfriend on the "other" side of town, away from the university and the typical Chico college lifestyle. I truthfully, I love it this way.
Where to even begin, this last month has been excruciatingly difficult...my mom has been in the hospital and even more scary in the ICU for almost 3 weeks now. Words don't describe the terror I feel when truly thinking about where and how she is. My mom is...my world. She is my care-giver, my friend, my supporter, my critic, my baby, my everything. Not being able to talk to her for the last 2 weeks has been perhaps the hardest thing I've ever done in my entire life.
Well I suppose that's enough complaining for one blog!
The next blog I promise to have something more interesting or at the very least less depressing to talk about...