Officially Done with Grad School, 13 Years Later

Back in November, I wrote a check that I hoped would close a chapter of my life that seemed never to end: paying off my grad school loans.

My original loan paperwork for my repayment of US Government Student Loans was for a 10-year repayment cycle.

But all of my professional life I have worked for one non-profit and/or school or another. Things were a little tight, and this was long before this outgoing federal administration had put new measures in place to forgive loans. Instead, I inquired about an additional five-year extension.

So, after graduating with my Masters of Library and Information Science from the Palmer School of same at Long Island University in 2003, at the end of 2015, I managed to pay my loans off late/early, depending on how you look at it.

But...something was ... unresolved. After a monthly relationship for nigh on 12+ years, there was a distinct lack of closure. I was expecting SOMETHING to commemorate the end of this back and forth dance of paperwork. But, nothing ... For weeks. And weeks.

Until today.

Two loans.

Two pieces of paper.

NOW I have closure!

Finally.

Now I can spend that budget line on paying off this iPhone for the next two years.

Easy come. Easy go.

~some photos and entry by iPhone

'Tis Time for Tea, Holiday Tea

I have mentioned earlier, for the first time in my tenure at Caramoor and for probably the first time in over 30 years, the Music Room of the Rosen House was cleared of its wooden risers and chairs. This opened up entertaining options, not only for the fancy folks, but so that the company could almost double it's capacity on the very popular tea excursions. It's a tradition now, spring teas, Mothers & Others Teas, autumnal "Spooky" Teas, and the very popular Holiday Teas.

As a way to experience this seasonal treat in the new configuration, and to toast to the Team, the department treated us all to Holiday Tea.

It was lovely, and not at all awkward (she says sarcastically), when it came to the sing-a-long portion.

In the Formal Dining Room's Breakfast Nook, they had set up a static display of what tea may have looked like, oh lo - those many years ago.

Watch out for the HR nightmare of mistletoe leading into the Music Room.

Apparently ONE of the senior managers who should know better, was really into it.

Isn't the Room lovely? (This was a tea earlier in the week.)

 Matt, our lovely volunteer, pretended he didn't really know us and ushered us to our seats.

  I do love this china pattern. It's a shame to put food on it.

 Thanks, boss.

 Performance by the Avalon Jazz Band.

   Tea-time

 (or in my case, 'still water and sipping herbal tea guiltily' time)

 Two tiers of this were sandwiches; one was sweets

 Have I mentioned? This group is NOT into sweets.

I just ... *shakes head*

Even though December is our busiest "dialing-for-dollars" / "beating the bushes" time of year, with 

mailings, sign- and phon-athons, mailings, mailings, and more mailings,

it is still important to have bonding time and celebration surviving the Festival and year.

Cheers!

"pinkies up"

(I "should" apologize to Alex for the photo above, but ... HO HO HO!)

~ photos by iPhone