Well I guess this is growing up...

[Note: The above picture of the 2008 Columbia University Commencement was taken by me but rather by an anonymous student, most likely (judging by the angle of the shot) from the Columbia Business School. Thank you Google image search.]

Today marks my final day as an undergraduate student at Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science. (I've been extremely discreet with personal information on this blog thus far but there's 300 other students in SEAS so whatever). Graduation leaves me with a strange feeling that I would not categorize as either happy, sad, excited, or anxious. On the one hand, I'm extremely excited to be living completely independently, but at the same time rent and bills make a major headache. I'm ecstatic to be working full-time in New York City, but at the same time, I'm anxious to be working full-time in New York City.

Aside from that, what the hell do I plan on doing with all my free time when I'm not at work? I've been so active in college-centric student organizations for the past four years that I honestly don't know what to do with myself anymore (and it would be mad creepy if I routinely returned to visit the aforementioned student organizations). Am I going to gain a ten pounds or more when I start working like every other recent entry to the working world I know? How the hell do real grown adults actually meet people? (I can't imagine asking someone for their sign - I'm a scorpio and that's a whack line).

Most importantly of all, where is my career going? Do I really plan on getting a masters degree, much less a doctorate degree? How long do I really plan on working for this company? Am I going to live in New York City for the rest of my working life? I probably should have thought these questions out a little more before I started interviewing for jobs or heck, even before I chose a major.

Given the uncertainty that fills the awkward month-long gap period between school and work, I can't think of a better phrase to express my confusion than the wise words by the modern sages of Blink182, "Well, I guess this is growing up..." Plus, its rare that I have an opportunity to legitimately quote Blink182 (I have the next one saved for when I turn 23).