He called me Ellen.

You may remember that I finally finished my masters this past December.

I went back and forth on whether I wanted to participate in graduation or not, I decided to do the masters hooding ceremony.

I wanted to feel the excitement and pride of finally finishing.

My stomach fluttered as I slipped on my gown.  It felt real, it felt good.

Then I rushed to check in then lined up and waited.

We stood in line for an hour and a half, and you know I was in four inch heels.

Eventually we filed onto the stage and I proceeded to wait for an hour while speeches were made and names were called.

Then it was my turn I stood tall, all the work coming down to a moment, to this moment.  The Dean called my name...and he called me Ellen.

Ellen.

So not worth it. An hour and a half of driving each way, two and a half hours of waiting in four inch heels, and he called me Ellen.

I was pissed.

Picture me,

I wrote this post on the stage, four rows back on my phone. Still waiting.  Waiting for them to finish calling names and saying speeches.

The man next to me was playing video games on his phone.

Our moment of glory.

Our hour and a half drive home took three hours.

I hope my family really enjoyed it.  Maybe someday I will look back on this moment and be thankful I participated but I will probably still be pissed that he called me Ellen.

Elena