Things you should do as a Post Grad

1. Frame your diploma

    Your parents will probably want to pay hundreds of dollars to get it framed just the way you want it. And be grateful! Place it somewhere you can see it, or even better, place it where everyone can see it. Sneak it into conversation such as, “Oh wow, that’s so interesting. Did you notice my diploma?” Nothing should keep you from your glory.

2. Clean your room

    That’s right. I ain’t yo mama, but seriously get to it! Throw away all those cheap and out of style Forever 21 clothes, the Hollister shirts hidden in your bottom drawer, and especially those loose papers from your High School classes. It’s time to make your room your own. That picture of you dressed up as a goose in your school’s musical didn’t get your best side anyway.

3. Get a job (duh)

     It’s all about the Benjamins. Now is the time to apply like you have never applied before. Apply to places you’ve never been, apply over the phone, apply in person. Don’t be picky and remember to be patient with yourself. As soon as you have income, you can enjoy that fancy Starbucks drink you like every day and not feel guilty for spending so much money.

4. Rest

    Between applications and phone calls regarding your future, take time to smell the roses (literally). You really do have the time to do whatever you want to. Wake up to the sunlight in your room instead of your alarm clock. Read scripture at a leisurely pace. Paint your nails, and then repaint them. The time is yours baby!

Two Weeks

Is not enough to time share my thoughts

To snuggle into a couch in a yellow home

To process

To fix the light bulb in our living room.

But it holds promise

A spoken promise from the Lord

Of a hope and a delightful future

Of Austin, of ministry, of sipping coffee on wooden slats.

Reminds me that I love people

Allows me to take my time falling asleep

To finish the last few chapters of an enchanting 864 page novel

To share breakfast with my favorite red headed friend

And finally brings me back to Starr Avenue where it really all began

Where I drive with the windows down, my hand out the window palm up,

Proclaiming that “Clocks” by Coldplay means everything to me

Where leaves slip across my window and the wind billows my hair behind my ears.

Cup of Tea

I began this morning boiling over as I thought of this past week and remembered homework assignments I had almost forgotten. As soon as I had time I fled to Java Jacks hoping to find sanctuary. I sank deep into the rim of a plain chair and allowed myself to be filled: filled with stillness in a book, filled with rest. And when I had reached the brim I slowly steeped into the room relaxing my shoulders and watched people around me read maps and laugh as they spoke to each-other. I settled here for a moment, enjoying the warmth, and then picked myself up and out of my thoughts. I placed myself beside my cup, wrapped my fingers around the handle of my mug, and took a drink of chai.

Freedom, but really.

Is a frilly thing

Which dances

And sings

And swims

And laughs as it tickles the insides of me.

Window into the Future

This morning I woke up somewhere between 7:30 and 7:45AM. My eyes opened and closed. I watched as my still and quiet room appeared, then faded, and reappeared until I was fully awake. Somewhere to my right Train told me I had drops of Jupiter in my hair and I was coaxed out of my still warm comforter sheets. I dressed in the clothes I had set out the night before, curled my hair just a bit, and stopped a moment to survey the damage in my double vanity mirror. Before me stood a small and awkward 21 year old girl dressed in khaki pants and a cardigan. My toes wiggled in soft brown flats which weren't even mine and I chuckled as I saw the reflection of myself. 
Today I am older than I ever thought I would be.

Pen and Paper

I love new word documents. I always center the page on my computer screen and take a moment to pause on the opposite side of a white, blank rectangle. In the morning I think of my mind as a new sheet of yellow notebook paper- the kind you have to fold behind itself to continue writing.

I hope to always live my life between pressed blue lines. Lines which will have filled its own dog-eared pages full of Scripture, small drawings, and cursive writing detailing moments worth mentioning. I pray that occasionally my life will be folded into thirds, sealed, stamped, and sent away to be an encouragement to another human being. That they would delight in receiving yellow envelopes containing a small piece of me dated and signed “Your friend, Caitie Holman”.

Sociability

These are first-hand accounts written out for people who are as socially awkward as I am. Please note these are NOT appropriate to do in public, in private, or anywhere in general.

10/25/2010-

Today I saw one of my Community Group girls at Starbucks. As she said, "Hello" I decided that I was unbelievably thirsty. Before I knew what was happening I was trying to finish my sentence while trying to swallow a mouthful of water. She politely smiled as I sputtered through the rest of the conversation, and eventually left me to examine the splotches of water soaking my t-shirt.

11/20/2010-

I was eating Panda Express with a new friend today and must have sighed a little too heavily through my nose because my fortune suddenly flew up in between us. She paused. I paused. And we watched as it slowly found its way back down to the table. Note to self- learn to control nose breathing.

09/15/2011-

A girl wearing super cute sunglasses and carrying a seeing-eye cane entered and stood next to me in the elevator. Assuming she was a Human Services student I suavely leaned over and asked her, “Is that cane for your class?”

Nope. Not for her class.