Graduation: A Year Later

I've seen these posts floating around the Blogisphere a lot this week, and to be honest I have been thinking back to my own graduation. The actually day was pretty boring to be honest, it involved a lot of sitting and clapping, and being hot and sweaty, and posing awkwardly for photos. 

What graduation meant to me was a different matter... It meant the end of an era, the end of my independence, and the beginning of my life as a 'proper' grown-up. On top of all that, it meant the world to my family. I was the first person in my immediate family to graduate from University, so it was a very proud moment for my mum especially. She literally burst into tears as soon as she saw me in the robes.

However looking back at this, it really makes me realise how much has changed since the day this photo was taken, and I thought I would share those changes with you all.

Since graduation...

I have moved twice... Once to move back in with my mum, sister and brother, which to be honest was not an ideal situation. Then again this March to move in with my boyfriend, which was the best decision I have ever made! Considering that before I went to university, I had never moved in my entire life, I'm pretty used to moving around now, and I NEVER thought I would say that. Tim and I are only planning on renting our flat for a year before we hopefully buy our own place, so I have yet another move to look forward to, but hopefully that will be our last!

I've had three different jobs. I started working in a Debt Management company straight out of university, as my first full time job. The job was fine, my colleagues were lovely, but it really wasn't for me. Then I moved onto working in the Vodafone store as a retail advisor, I loved this job, yes it was retail so I still had to deal with annoying Customers, but I really loved the company I was working for. My colleagues were awesome, and the products I was selling were cool, and best of all I was working for a company I have trusted since I got my first mobile phone! Unfortunately I did have to leave Vodafone, as I needed a full time job to fund living away from home. I do still miss it! My current job is in an office doing telesales, and I get on with everyone there and the job is easy enough. Ultimately it isn't where I want to work for the rest of my life, but I'm saving up to do my make up course so I can become a super awesome Film and TV make up artist!

I almost died. Well I may be exaggerating a little bit, but I had a car accident, in which I flipped my car over, and it was a very scary experience. In fact I wrote about that here.

I met and fell in love with Tim. When we first met it wasn't love at first sight, but look at us now! If you'd like to learn more about our relationship you can read about it here.

I've actually managed to achieve some of my goals! Such as beginning to lose weight (which has always been a big goal of mine), and completing the Race For Life. I'm really enjoying ticking them all off, and can't wait to get more done!

Looking back a lot has happened since Graduation... I do severely miss the university lifestyle, and all of my friends, but I'm glad to be moving forward with my life now! I'm even going to be visiting Aberystwyth (where I went to Uni) for a short holiday this August with Tim. I can't wait to show him Aber, and for my friends to finally meet him! It's going to be so awesome...

Let me know in the comments if you've graduated recently, and what the best part of graduation was for you!