Graduating!

Seems like last month I was lining my applications across the living room floor, worried I wouldn't get accepted into my dream MFA program. Or any program.

And, now, tomorrow I leave for my final residency in my dream MFA program. My graduate residency. In Puerto Rico, no less. (I know. Pinch me.)

I'll be staying in Old San Juan for part of the trip, and in the El Yunque Rainforest (here) for the remainder of the trip. I'll be delivering my lecture on "Crafting Rural Characters" here. Because, apparently, my life is a dream.

And then -- and THEN -- as if it couldn't get any better, my hubby and kids are going to help me celebrate graduation in style by popping down to the island after the residency for a week.

We'll do some hiking. Some swimming. Some waterfall diving. And then it'll be back to the real world. Which, really, I'm just as excited about. I'm anxious to start my life as an honest-to-god-MFA, leading workshops and teaching some classes and crossing "Get MFA" off my "50 Things to Do While I'm Still Able" list.

Rock on.