Officially Emily Hursty, MBA!! I can’t believe it and I am so excited!

When I arrived on campus for the ceremony I met up with a few fellow grads who have been with me thoughts this long crazy journey. Each of these beautiful, accomplished women have inspired me in different ways throughout the years.

Denise is a mother of 6 (!!!!) and still found the time to push herself through this programs. Ashley lives over an hour away from campus and still made the hike multiple times a week to Salem to complete this program. I just met Sarah this semester and she was in both of my classes. She and her now husband got married in Iceland (check out my trip recaps here: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4) this semester and she still maintained an astonishing GPA. I wish nothing but the best to these ladies!

Just before the ceremony were were all lined up in the gym and ready to make out entrance to Pomp and Circumstance.

As soon as I sat I immediately opened the Commencement Exercises brochure just to make sure my name was in there…not that I was worried but its still good to see! After a few great speeches, it was time to award the diplomas.

(Source: emilyh1020 instagram)

I still can’t believe it!! I really am Emily Hursty, MBA! A.MAZE.ING!

SL was happy for me too! We briefly celebrated at the champagne reception and snapped a few shots. Well, Sarah snapped them for us…thanks Sarah!

After this we met my parents, sister and her boyfriend for a delicious dinner to celebrate. I didn’t take any pictures because I was starving and concentrating on family time. As for today…working from home, maybe some TRX but mostly just enjoying my new title, Emily Hursty, MBA!

I can’t believe it is finally here, Graduation Day!! Today started as most days do with my alarm waking me from blissful sleep at 5:15 am. It was a little easier to get out of bed today because I am so excited! I opted for a run/walk outside this morning because its finally warm enough!

Post run/walk I was starving and immediately made a smoothie, similar to my Pearberrycado smoothie, but with pineapple instead of pear.

Now I am off to work for a few hours to try get a few things done before getting my hair done at noon. Blo opened a new salon in the building right next to mine and I finally have a good reason to check them out.

I love getting pampered! After my hair gets an upgrade I’ll be heading home to eat a little something something and get my regalia ready for its big moment (and mine).

I’ve conned my whole family into coming to this shindig (not that they would miss it) then taking me out for a nice dinner. On my mom’s side of the family I was the first one to go to college, not to mention graduate from college. Now I will be the first and only to get my Master’s! On my dad’s side of the family I will be joining my uncle, aunt and my cousin’s wife (who is just as much a cousin to me as the rest of the bunch) in having MBA added to my title.

I can honestly say I have never worked harder for anything in my life. I am really proud of myself! I still don’t feel like this is real. It has been a long road.