An end leading to new beginnings.

Here I am in the midst of my FINAL week as a college student. I am not quite sure how I feel about it yet; some mixed emotions. I'm excited of course to be done with homework and projects and papers, but nervous about the stresses that "real life" will bring. I cannot believe that this Saturday, I will have a college degree...weird!

You hear the phrase a million times: "Enjoy college while it lasts, they will be the best years of your life." Before I came to Central Michigan University, I took that cliche phrase with a grain of salt. Now as I am about to leave Central Michigan University I can honestly say the past 3 1/2 years have exceeded my expectations, and truly have been the best of my life.

I've worked really hard, had plenty of "all nighters" weather it was for homework or otherwise...I have had the most fun, most humorous moments of my life, as well as the scariest, most sad, most stressful moments. I have done more learning, maturing and discovering of myself during the past few years than the rest of my life combined (up to this point at least). I have met some of the best people I know, who will now be a part of my life forever, who I have learned from and grown with. Through the good times and the bad...college definitely WAS all it's cracked up to be!

I don't think it will really hit me that I am done here at CMU until "Christmas break" is over, and I don't have to come back.

At this point in time I think the most exciting thing about my graduating is that I have a plan for afterwards - and not just any plan, but a plan I am anticipating to be my most exciting and rewarding experience yet!

On January 3, 2010 I will begin working in my position as the 2010 SOUL Tour Manager! This is an organization (www.soulands.org) that brings international musicians to the United States to educate people about their culture through music. From January to May I will be on the road with these musicians for a cause I find to be noteably worthy. We will travel all across the country together in "The SOUL Train" and I know that our journey will make for some very entertaining and interesting stories and experiences.

Hence the reason I have created this blog! So that I can share my journey of life after college with all of you...my family & friends - my readers. Stay tuned for when the journey begins and feel free to let me know if you would like this blog emailed to you each time it is updated!

Cheers! Peace! Love! Best! ~Jackie