Graduating with a Minor in Biology and Coming Out to My Parents

A ladybug landed on me yesterday. I still woke up with a panic. In the morning, it felt like today would be eternal. But it already happened. I graduated today. Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a minor in Biology. Oh. I came out to my mom and dad too. I’m very sleepy. I still have one more final to take tomorrow. I’ll take a rest then get back in the grind, one last time. One. Last. Time. Thank you all who wished me well!! Here’s my speech I gave today. Feel free to read!! “There is so much to be grateful for. I want to thank (my) University for being the place where I acquired my new skills and knowledge and where I found my place in the most amazing of communities I now consider family. Thank you to the (cool) organization, (epic human) and (epic human), for setting up this beautiful ceremony. I don't know where I'd be without the people around me. I am the first person in my immediate family to graduate from university, and I know I did not do this alone. I want to thank those at the library here on campus; you all were so welcoming and nurturing, and they made work so enjoyable. In no particular order, and please don't feel bad if I left you out, (epic people listed), and so many, many more that if I keep going, I will begin to cry, I will miss you all so much, I promise to come to visit, you all have a place in my heart. I want to thank my friends, those from home and those made here; from the ones I've known since before, here or not, you all are here with me no matter where you are, and you're doing amazing things. The ones made here, you all have heard me cry and laugh my way up here. I'm embarrassed you saw that, but I'm so happy you got to see me for me. Thank you. The friends I met up with right up to the end, the stories we made in only 15 weeks, are permanently stained into my heart. I will miss you, and I promise to visit. You all have impacted my life, and I am grateful to have met you. To my lab mates in the psychopharmacology lab and (cool professor), who unfortunately couldn't be here today, you helped me define what it means to have the determination and helped me clear the scope of my future. I am eternally grateful for that. The knowledge I have gained from you all is astounding, and I hope you know It will not be in vain. You are etched into the densely packed neurons of my brain. For mi Familia. Ma y pa. Se que tienen pregunatas. Siempre sere to chikon. Sere su hija siempre. Y estoy bien feliz que estan aqui. Gracias por estar aqui. Despues de todo, sigo siendo yo. For my sisters, one who could not join us, the three brain cells, I hope you guys do what makes you happy. I am happy. I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes, "I have no regrets in meeting you, friends. Should the day ever come that we are not together, you will continue to shine like gold in my memory." Thank you! “