Thank You Notes

One thing I've always had a fascination with is stationary.  I think the idea of a hand written note is so romantic.  I always like to hand write thank you notes and send them snail mail.  I think it really shows appreciation, even more so in our technology driven world.  At the end of the day, a thank you email still better than nothing, but I think it's worth it to take the time and effort to hand something. 

I write thank you notes for several reasons.  Usually they're for thanking people for gifts!  After birthdays, Christmas, and most recently, graduation, I try to find some time to sit down and write them.  Another instance where a thank you note is appropriate is after any kind of job interview.  It can be difficult to find a job and even more difficult to separate yourself from the masses.  If you're lucky enough to sit down with someone, it speaks volumes of you if you send along a note right after. 

The best part of thank you notes is that they don't have to be long!  In my opinion, keeping it short, sweet, and to the point, is the way to go.  Find some nice stationary that you like, grab a good pen, a few stamps, your address book, and get to work!

Graduation Weekend

This weekend a very long-term goal of mine came to fruition.  I graduated from college!  Between transferring schools and changing majors, it took some time.  Finally, all my hard work has paid off, and I have a degree to prove it!

Me and my beautiful mother.

The festivities started Friday night when friends from near and far came to help me celebrate.  After some drinks at our apartment, we headed to the bars and met up with some other friends. Suffice it to say, a good time was had by all. 

Liz

Megan and Liz

Scott and his sister Kelly

Scott's family was nice enough to come for lunch and the ceremony.  Scott's mom is Italian, and she proved it by bringing a small feast!  Not long after, my parents and aunt arrived with a couple bottles of Veuve Clicquot champagne.  After a slightly teary toast, we all caravaned to the ceremony.  It was a typical graduation ceremony, quite long and boring, but it was still nice.

Dinner we had in Grand Rapids at Bistro Bellavita.  It was a really wonderful affair.  I received some thoughtful gifts, drank some really good wine, and generally had a great time with friends and family alike. 

After dinner I was given a really special gift.  It's a Baume & Mercier watch that my dad bought in Hong Kong in the 1980's.  He passed away when I was young, making it a really special heirloom to inherit.  It's been engraved with my initials, my school name, and the date of my graduation.  Sadly I can't start wearing it yet, as the "works need to be cleaned" (my mother's words, no idea what that means) and a tiny sapphire is being affixed to the stem.  I can't wait!

Overall it was a wonderful weekend spent with close friends and family.  I couldn't be more grateful to everyone who contributed to making it so.