Expectations. We all have them and sometimes they get the better of us. There are many expectations that we face in this everyday life whether they are good or bad. Falling short is no stranger to me and that includes graduation. I graduated from high school this week. Many other schools graduated this week too, but I feel like my graduation was different.
Having the shortest memory, I made one of the biggest mistakes I could have made, I forgot to request off of work. As I checked the schedule, I cringed when I read the words “Saturday 5-9”. Graduation started at 2 p.m. so thought I could make it. Just a little bump in the road to what was supposed to be my most important day of 2016.
I got there and sat through the dullest two hours of my life. "High School Musical" hit me like a hand covered in bees. I felt like I could split the screen of my life like "500 Days of Summer." On one side I was being showered with flowers while all my friends and family cheer me on while I walk the stage, and the speeches given were so touching that they brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. On the other side, reality had shown its horrible face. I was forced to sit in alphabetical order and remembered that I was next to almost all the people I hated, the stench of B.O. was lingering in the air while people told us we finished high school, (as if we didn't already know because I guess they thought we were all there for kicks and giggles.) It was really nothing special. I was almost even glad to get out of there.
My six other family members and I all squished uncomfortably in the car when a roar erupted from my stomach. I was starving, practically dry heaving. I needed food now and my dear grandfather so greatly suggested a great Puerto Rican restaurant down the road and I was elated. I could almost taste the food on the tip of my tongue.
On our way over there, my father reminded me I didn’t have the time that I wanted. With a heavy heart and light stomach we passed the restaurant and raced to the closest McDonald's. My graduation dinner was a Happy Meal, but hey, at least I got a Power Puff Girls toy.
My shift was long and painful. After all i went through that shift my boss approached me and told me she really didn't even need me that day and that she could have called me off; just my luck. The greatest part of my day was really when my boyfriend came for 15 minutes to surprise me and drop off a soda which I was so desperately craving.
Anyway, I’ve learned that my best days were the ones I never anticipated. Things are always better without plans or expectations; the days that aren’t planned and over thought about. Rather it’s traveling, special school events, dates, dances, or any big plans no matter how much you try so hard to map everything out it’s never going to be the way you exactly want it so you’re better off just going with the flow for the time being. Be young and unexpected, be crazy and proud.
