Master Kole, Jr

Marshall graciously dubbed me with his coveted moniker, while making sure to indicate my status as the second Master Kole. It works, however, and is appropriate.

I am, for all intensive purposes, done with graduate school. My Capstone team and I presented our final deliverable to our client and teacher on Wednesday. All I have left is a few hours of work and a final on Monday, neither of which will require much effort. In a little less than a week Dad and Jody will arrive in Chicago, followed closely by Mom, Justin, Carrie and (hopefully!) Dallas and Renee. A week from today I should also have the majority of my remaining possessions packed up and ready to load in a car on Saturday morning. It is amazing how quickly time has passed and how things are coming to a close.

Per Karen's not-so-subtle request, this post will serve as my main reflection of the last two years of my life. Karen, you are free to copy/paste/post/etc.

The last two years have been very educational, but perhaps not as much in the traditional sense. I have undoubtedly expanded my mind in the classroom and have been exposed to peers, teachers, and concepts that have forced me to critically examine myself and the world in which we live. That being said, although certain aspects of the academics were difficult or challenging, I am going to graduate near the top of my class having only read approximately 5% of the assigned readings and having finished way more assignments than I can count in the hours before they were due. I do not know if all of this means I am very smart, if the program was not challenging, or if it is a combination of things. I do wish the program had been more application than theory, but there's really nothing I could have done about that anyway.

I am going to walk away from UIC and my department with a little more technical knowledge and a lot more belief that my life is meant to be used for the good of others. How this good will be accomplished is yet to be determined, but I am sure that is something that will come in its own time.

The two years of my assistantship were a constant lesson in what not to do and what I do not want in my future career. I know that probably sounds negative, but it was actually a good experience. As I am now heading out and trying to find that first "real" job, I am able to look at many different aspects of a position and identify certain things that I either like or dislike.

The city itself has been the area that I have drawn the most education from. It forced me to grow up, to become self-assured and confident, to be aware and a tad bit more critical. The city taught me to take risks; to value new and different experiences. The city showed me how to find the small joys and how to adjust my understanding of beauty. Because of the city I learned to not be so sensitive, to laugh instead of bristle. I will leave here a stronger person who trusts in myself and my capabilities.

There is so much I should have done in my time here, yet also so much I did experience that I never thought I could do. In the end, I refuse to walk away with regrets. My experience was all mine and exactly what it was meant to be for me.

I do not know what the future holds, but I do know that making it through the two years here has fortified me against whatever the world may throw my way. I know I can do and survive anything now, and that is the single greatest lesson I have learned.

Love!

~g