Two Years (a little late), Part 1.

Our anniversary was over a week ago. Two years. Lucky for us being back in SF, we were able to sneak away for the weekend to wine country. We went further north this time, a little past Sonoma. However, there were still plenty of wineries to enjoy, and what was even better was that many of them were free! Can't beat that.

We drove up on Saturday (the 18th) and made a stop in Point Reyes Station to go to Cowgirl Creamery. We split a cheese plate and it was delicious! I was slightly disappointed though, because I was under the impression (based on their website) that you could watch them making the cheese. And, sadly, there was no cheese making to be seen. But, still a detour worth making.

From there we made our way to Geyserville, CA, which is a small, small town. We tossed our stuff in the hotel room and decided to try out the town's numerous tasting rooms, all nicely located in "downtown." Did I mention they were all free? Wonderful! Our favorite was Meeker. We seriously contemplated joining up for their wine club. We liked almost all the wines we tried. And the tasting room was an old bank, complete with vault and cute, wooden teller windows. We took one of the wines we purchased next door to Catelli's Italian Restaurant and enjoyed a no corkage fee for bringing a locally grown wine. The food was surprisingly wonderful, definitely won best of the trip in my mind.

I was up at the crack of dawn the next morning (for who knows why), so I dragged Micah to the Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic!

This was the first balloon that we saw make it off the ground.

It was impressive. I don't think I've ever been that close to a hot air balloon taking off, at least not that I remember. In fact, I was a little concerned for people that kept getting closer and closer. Parents that would carry their children up to the balloon, close enough for them to touch it. I mean, we are talking about a balloon that is being filled with cold air, then blasted with fire, you want your children that close?

All the balloons had distinct names.

Here's Bob's Cat (I just noticed that you can see the moon in this picture!)

This one is Sushi (it was my favorite)

When it got off the ground, it just kinda turned around

and swam off.

Planet Earth was also a big hit, although by the time it got a chance to get off the ground, it was too windy to do so. Poor Planet Earth.

A couple of my favorite pictures I actually took on my phone. This one

and this one

And to think, all this balloon watching occurred before 9am! We went to breakfast right after and it was by far the worse breakfast I've ever partially consumed in my ENTIRE life. If you're ever in the area, steer clear from Singletree Cafe (I don't even know how it has 3 & 1/2 stars!).

Oh well, at least the day started off right!

Graduation.

I did it!

Me, Scarlett, and Lauren

I seriously could not have finished school without Micah. He listened to me vent and complain about all sorts of things. He edited paper after paper after paper, many of which were long and boring. He made me coffee when it was going to be a late night and he never complained about the time school sucked away from us being together. He was tirelessly supportive and that is what made finishing school possible.

My in-laws came out for graduation and to help us pack up our apartment. I really appreciated them making the trip, it made not having my parents there a little more bearable (I missed you Mom and Dad!).

Prior to the actual ceremony, I had decided to walk with Korbel (the International Studies School). So, I had a white hood that had red and gold on the back. However, when I got to graduation, both schools had my name and so I decided to walk twice along with the three other dual degree students. I also decided to wear my phi alpha honors society cords (for the social work school).

I'm not sure if this is one of those must-have graduation pictures, but there are all sorts of things that I love about this one. The three of us had a joint graduation bbq/potluck party the next day (of which I took not a single picture).

This is Shely and I, we interned together this past year. I'm going to miss her like crazy!

All the masters level graduates.

Here I am after walking with the social work school. Two diploma holders!

Graduation ceremonies are almost always a guarantee to be boring, and this one was no different. Two hours of listening to names be called out could put anyone to sleep. Except, as I was sitting there in my bulky gown, sweating because it was hot and I was a little nervous about walking across the stage twice without tripping or falling flat on my face, I had a little time to reflect over these last two years. It really is amazing how fast it all went. There were many a times that I thought the required readings, papers, and tests would never end, and yet, here I sit already back in SF and it almost seems like a dream, like it never even happened. Micah and I decided that our next move will not occur after any major life event, as it kind of takes away from the magic of the moment.

I'm so thankful for the opportunity that I received to go back to school. There are things I could complain about, but in all honesty, the University of Denver was a great fit for me, for where I was at, and for helping me to understand more in depth the world around me.