The day finally came that yours truly graduated college. Looking back as a teenager and young adult, I never thought this day would come. I lacked encouragement and support throughout my early adulthood and didn’t have any direction. Luckily, a few years into my twenties, I had a friend give me that push I needed to go back to school and take it seriously. Thanks Quinn, I love ya.
Took me longer than most to finish my BA, but I worked my way through college, got good grades and still managed to have fun on the side. At the end of the schooling road, I’ve earned my Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and I graduated with a 3.4 GPA from the flagship California State University: Long Beach! Go Beach!
Super proud of myself, and my graduation day was one the best days I’ve ever had. Also, I’d like to extend a big “IN YO FACE” to those that ever doubted me. 
Now for the photos!
Most definitely wanted my manicure to match my school’s colors, so I requested my nail tech to create this paint job for me.
I originally wanted “CSULB” painted on one of my ring fingernails and “2013″ on the other, but it seems as if I was asking too much. No one could do it! I seriously went to four different nail salons trying to get this done, and it just didn’t happen. I felt I could do it myself, but alas, I am not left handed.
I settled for chunky gold glitter. *sigh*
My cap took me hours to complete, and I just love how it turned out. I hand glued a couple hundred Swarovski crystals to the hat and delicately added pearls, ribbon and as much sparkle as possible. Gotta match my hat to my personality ya know…. sparkling! Hehehe.
Onto the ceremony…
Making an entrance!
Of course I had to rock the famous Mary Katheryn Gallager “superstaaaar” pose while sashaying through a storm of confetti.
Below is the family portrait including my stepdad, mom, grandpa, sister, and brother-in-law. My grandma also appears as the shining light in this photograph. She left us last November, but still shines.
Considering the required dress, I had to add in as much flair as possible. Gold accents everywhere, including my chic gold ankle cuffs and lots of gold rings. Yes, I even aim to make an over-sized drape of a dress look as glamorous as possible.
Two of my favorite people, my best friend and my girlfriend.
Congrats to all the other graduates and best wishes to those starting or working through their college careers! If I can do it, you can do it.
