The beginning of the end

Graduation is only a few short weeks away. I have realized that I am only pages away from finishing my final projects and can not believe I am so far ahead. Maybe panicking a bit last month was just what I needed? I doubt it. Good thing that therapy here is included in the student seg fees. A bit of counseling has got me back on track. There is no shame in getting some help when you need it people! Anyhow, I almost have my masters degree and have been looking for job opportunities all around the world. Entry level positions (at no matter what level you are education wise) seem to be few and far between. I guess i shouldnt expect the perfect job to fall into my lap, but jeez. The degree was suppose to be the golden ticket! Then reality sits in.... My sister and I will be graduating the same weekend. My family is scheduled to attend her commencement ceremony (its her first degree after all) and then we are all going to a nice dinner together in a historical site here in Wisconsin. This restaurant used to be a farm house and barn made out of stone that has an underground tunnel between the two. It is going to be great people, a great ambiance, and two great reasons to celebrate - we will be done! A few short days after, I will be taking that jet plane to Geneva Switz where i will venture into France to visit old friends before continuing to Rome. I must admit that my life sounds pretty damn unbelievable. I often forget how lucky i am to partake in such adventures that on top of being a great time, add to my resume!
I just read 'The Last Lecture' by Randy Pausch. He's a former professor from Carnegie Mellon who was recently diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and has a few short months left here. He talks about the importance of taking advantage of his time left by being upbeat for his children and enjoying his time with his family. I think that I have been living like im dying since my mother passed in '99. It seems like i can not slow down. I feel this urgency to acheive my dreams, visit every where i want to, to pack it all in because i just dont know when it will be my moment to join her. It is a great thing to be proactive, but i may have missed out on some small things along the way. I am so intent on the next thing, that i glaze over the end of the current task. I am going to make a more conscience effort to live in the now as well as plan that next great thing. Its a journey right? Not just the destination.