End of the day



Nice end to a nice day...

Day 6: Tikal, Guatemala!!! (June 6th)

Tikal, Guatemala.

First, I had to leave beautiful Belize...

Hoping another plane was a delight. The 15 minute flight never seems to be enough!

Nice seats! Right up front!

I always like to convert to the local currency. Partially because that way I don't have to do math in my head if I want to buy something, and partly just to check out the other money! It's so pretty! (this was ~$120 in US dollars)

After a 5 minute taxi ride, a 15 minute flight, a 1 1/2 hour van ride, a border crossing, and another 1 hour van ride, I finally made it along with my guide from Belize, and his girlfriend.

I had no idea there were places so beautiful!!!!

The tombstone looking stones are about 10 feet tall.

I happened upon a Mayan princess!!! Maybe she was a ghost of ancient times, or maybe she was just a model. Either way, she made for a nice accent. I wished I had put on blue eyeliner and a peacock feather in my hair, but it was simply too hot!

I climbed the stairs to the top of one of the temples. I wasn't sure if I was more worried about the stairs, or the temple steps! In Belize, they had let us hike up the ruins themselves. Not here! Preservation!

Tikal is only uncovered 23%...I can only imagine how much is still buried. The twin matching temples stood guard over the common areas. I spent nearly an hours sitting on top of this one. Bliss!!!

The temple on the right is the one I had been sitting atop of earlier. Then, after a short hike, I climbed to the top of the other temple, taller than the others. Incredible 360 degree views!

Do you see all the sweat?? It was hot!

Apparently where I was standing was the 5th tallest ruin in the world! Very cool! The guide spoke about the Mayan calendar, and how the world was NOT going to end in December 2012, just start again!

The back of the temple. I think I tool about 600 pictures here. How can you not?

Walking back, I wandered about the ruins, and finally let my hair down to sit and take it all in. I love custom timers on cameras!!!

The steps echoed an ancient strength.

Every angle was captivating. The birds soaring were  mesmerizing.

Of course, I had to climb all of them!

Oh Tikal! You were such a pleasant suprise!

Day 4: back to the hotel

Day 4: Lamanai critters

May 5th, 2012: Graduation day

...and then I had my diploma!!!

 (ok, so I had a tube with a blank diploma stating that I had to complete all my requirements before they would send me the real one...but close enough!!!)

The 2012 commencement ceremony

I finally had my hood! I was glad I had worn my undergraduate class ring as well. It felt good to combine the two accomplishments.

My name in print! Sigh.

New grads Leslie and myself!

Jocelyn, myself and Randi: proud new grads!!!

Most of our class after graduation, showing off our new hoods!

My own cheering squad: Crystal, Heather (pregnant with twin girls), the graduate, and Jennifer (from ONS)

Brunch to celebrate was at Sheerwater at the Hotel Del Coronado.

Alex (from UCSD) and I at brunch

Kati and I in our hats, Kati due with baby #2 in June (and yes, I am very, very glad she waited til after I graduated!)

Here's a toast to all the 2012 graduates: May the years be everything you had worked for, but better! Cheers!