Things that Happened: Call Me Master

Something pretty epic happened in May.

Brad graduated from Graduate school at California State University!! He is officially a Master of Fine Arts, with an emphasis in Set Design and Technical Direction.  Here he is in the Hooding Ceremony. 

 The rest of the commencement ceremony was really nice too. I mean, honestly, it's the College of the Arts, of course they're going to have the most entertaining ceremony.  They are the only college that had a live band play Pomp and Circumstance, and they had a musical number from some of the Opera students, that was absolutely beautiful.  It's clear that Brad, and his friend, Raul, thoroughly enjoyed it. 

I stole this from another Grad's facebook page. 

Here are all the other Grad students - there are some costume designers, lighting and sound designers, but none of them are set designers, just Brad.  Are they happy or what?!

Fortunately, Brad's parents were able to come down to see Brad graduate!  I'm so grateful they were able to come celebrate with us, and I know it meant the world to Brad to have his parents see him graduate.  It was really special to have them there. 

This is Brad's oldest sister, Jan. She basically taught Brad everything he knows.  The story goes that Jan taught at the Junior High Brad was going to so they rode to school together.  Well, after school Brad would have to wait around for Jan to finish rehearsals with the theatre department, and he figured out pretty fast that if he helped out then he could go home faster.   So, that's what he did, and the rest is history! (Also, Jan has an amazing blog that you should check out. She will make you laugh and cry in the same post. Read it HERE.)

Here is Brad with Jan, and her husband Andy.  They are both incredibly gifted in the Arts.  Actually they're just incredibly gifted, period.  They are the ones that made our amazing wedding cake!

Lucky for us, my parents were also able make the trip to see Brad's graduation! It is always fun to have visitors, but to have both sets of parents in town was the best!  We're both so grateful they all came.

I was telling my sister, before Brad graduated, that any one who puts their spouse through Grad school deserves an honorary degree.  I read many a play aloud to Brad and glued plenty of tiny model set pieces. She scoffed, and said "Please, if you put your spouse through Grad school you deserve a freakin' Purple Heart!"  She would know, her husband is also in Grad school, both of my brothers-in-law are.  So here I am, basking in the glory of being done with Graduate school.  

Here are some more of the Master himself.

The massive shop he worked in for three years.

A view of the Hood.

With all the palm trees and commencement flags.

The day after graduation, my parents had to go back to Utah for my little brother's Seminary graduation.  But the rest of us were able to spend the day in Disneyland together.  We had lunch at the Blue Bayou, one of our faves.  It was delicious, as always.  

We rode rides.

We watched the parade.

We rode the train.

And just celebrated Brad's accomplishment. 

I am so proud of Brad for getting his Masters Degree.  He worked for the school through out his whole education, and he worked an additional job at Disneyland for the last year, not to mention he had church callings and Wednesday night youth activities.  He worked incredibly hard, and had lots of all-nighters but HE DID IT!!

And we're both thrilled that its over.