End Game.

After working all last night, I finally graduated. I'm physically and mentally drained, but I can't sleep even now at about 4:00 am. My brain is firing randomly with memories of the past five years and expectations for the near future. I might as well get some of these memories down here while they're running rampant in my brain.

Wearing a green t-shirt and khaki shorts when I left Kankakee and moved into Allen Hall. Meeting Steve. Having no social life and feeling totally isolated. Walking to the mall just to try out the demo gamecube. Meeting up with Kristina for high school nostalgia. Seeing Ghostbusters on the big screen for free. People urinating on our toilet paper. Ulfig getting fired, Chen taking over and playing mario kart with him and crazy Paul. Ordering pizza the last night of the year with Josh.
Getting the desk clerk job. Monday morning 2am-6am shift. Hanging out at the desk with Lindsay, Marisa, Kelly, Monkia, Ryan, Kyle, Sam, Natalie, Chole, Cat, Kristina, Lisa, Stephanie and Chris. Dropping the rubber band ball off the parking deck. Deep conversations with Martha and Sudheer. Louis and me having everyone come to our room after dinner to play Smash Brothers. Having a girlfriend, then getting into a bitter dispute with what soon became former girlfriend. 16 player Halo capture the flag lasting into the wee hours of the morning.
Rooming with Steve again and taking animation together. Performing Yatta with Steve, Jake, Louis, Bryan and Shion. Being accused for cheating in Organic Chem lab. New desk clerks and crazy mail shifts. Switch from journalism to MCB. Insane class loads requiring a weekly all nighter. Smoking up with Speed Levitch. Late night ISR food runs and dominating the big screen TV and couches. IMPE with Bo. The Ground South Barcrawl.
Moving out of Allen to 709 Green Apt A1. Chris, Zvi, Bryan my roommates. Later Mike took Bryan's place. Steve bitching out the Best Buy manager so we got a discount on our TV. Other Ground Southerners upstairs. Learning to cook. More insane class loads. Nearly flunking out. Obtaining a Stop sign. Academic redemption. Marissa and Kelly visiting for Halloween. Hodak visiting. Summer calculus class. Working at Provena Covenant. Going to Wizard World With Steve and Brian.
Cooking "feasts" with the roommates. 4 player NBA hangtime on the N64. Our Superbowl party and bottomless nacho chips. Going out to Boltini, Firehaus and the Office with any combination of old Allenites. Thinking I'm going to graduate, but 1 class short. Mexico trip. Taking Ice skating and Immunology my last semester. Starting to say goodbye to people.

I almost broke down earlier today when I was writing a note to my Mom for Mother's day. It's been a hell of a 5 years. My life is gonna change big time very quickly. All I ask is that I be able to hold on to so many great memories and so many great friendships.