Commencement

Commencement at Oberlin is traditionally on Memorial Day, occurring about a week after finals are over, allowing for time to hang out with dear friends that are graduating and sharing everything you want to before everyone leaves. This year was no different. I shared a bottle of Charles Shaw White Zinfandel with a group of 6 in hopes of getting over past crushes and just having a girls night out, and then had a bottle of Black Mountain Pinot Noir to intentionally get drunk with some seniors graduating during which we shared some intense secrets. Both bottles were amazing and exactly what I needed at the moment. A light white zinfandel for a semi-picnic and a robust pinot for secret telling and all around good times.

Commencement is also a sad time. Saying bye to friends who you might not every see again or friends you'll be away from for a summer, or a semester, or in certain cases for a year. So here's a shout out to my bests, cause I know ya'll are the only ones who read this anyway.

Daniel - my blog buddy, we're starting a revolution with these blogs, for real. I love your bike, it's shortened my work commute so much and helps me remember you always. I can't wait til I see you next in Japan, it's going to be amazing, I just know it. Sorry I had to kill the 2 person secret, but you know you were always the first. Oh Son!

Lauren - always supporting my wino habits (remember you bought me the first bottle for the year for my birthday party and it was extra good) I don't think I could thank you enough for dealing with my drama and listening to me and giving me advice and overall keeping me sane through everything. One of my fave co-workers always. I'll always think of you I say Oh No.

Cheska - my FASA homie. you've made sure i kept it crazy these past couple years, taking me under your wing and showing me the ropes, although you sure left big shoes to fill. i don't think anyone will ever throw parties like you did or make me laugh at the most ridiculous times like you did. we went through it this semester and now it's time for celebration.

Jo Ling - who knew that after that one meeting in the 'sco for merengue madness we'd grow so close. From work to physics, I've been able to tell you so much and I value our friendship so much for that. We've had good times though, and I'm glad you're coming back to visit me, cause we never properly said goodbye.

Saki - p chem is about all I need to say. And work on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I remember last year I didn't work with you and so many times Lauren told me that I would love you and I do. You're a great person, making me laugh and making me check what I say and always making sure that I love you. Always remember, it was me that gave you your first all nighter experience.

Jazmin - leaving me for a year. I'm still not sure how I feel about that, but I'm sure I'll deal. We'll have Japan for sure though and two person secrets. And everything in between. You know someone is a good friend when you can't exactly remember how you met, and it's so blurred for you, I know we can survive your little adventure abroad.

Alma - it's been a crazy year and we've been through a lot, but you know I'm always here for you no matter what. We bonded hella fast and I'm ok with that, cause i trust you and I could sense that from the very beginning. New Mexico was possibly one of my best breaks here and it's all thanks to you, who knows, there could be a vineyard coming your way soon.

All my summer companions (Cindy, Anne, Gio, Tommy, Kyla, Chris, Haydee) - I know you will all help me through it. And trust that I will throw dinner parties at my apartment, once I can move in, complete with wine and DELICIOUS vegetarian food, regardless of whether you are or aren't. It'll be long, but I know we can make it, together. I need you all, you all mean a lot to me and I'm excited for the extra bonding we'll have during these crazy, kinda isolated months together.

If I forgot you, know that it's not that you didn't have an impact on my life, but it was probably in subtle ways that I won't recognize til it's too late. All the seniors have made this a solemn week and I know I don't show it or talk about it like others, but in those moments before I drift to sleep, I remember you all and how much I really miss you all. (Insert tears on computer here)

I love you all,
Liz.

wine makes everything better

Sorry, it's been a crazy semester. but it seems to be winding down well. I've been able to share wine with friends lately and it's really helped make everything less painful.

Some of my closest friends are graduating and leaving in less than a month. On to exciting things in various places, cities and countries. And so, I've made sure to spend time with them all, with my favorite beverage, a nice bottle of wine.

My favorite part about wine is that it's such the perfect drink for dinner/postdinner chatter, you have a glass that you can swirl, a drink to constantly sip and smell for different flavors and aromas plus an all around good time. That's exactly what this weekend was for me.

I got some of my closest friends together, drank a bottle or two, or more and just talked about life. We caught up on recent events in our lives, funny things that had happened and things we were doing that night after we all parted. It's always nice when you can get a group of people together and have pleasant conversation over good wine, I feel like that's what I strive for with many of the bottles I open. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't, but those times that it does, are so worth it.

Only two of those people will actually be graduating, but they'll both be leaving the country to pursue other endeavors and a third will be leaving the country for the coming semester. All in all, it was a nice farewell to some of my favorite people, I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to share my last bottle of wine with.