Graduation...Elation!

Ok, The class is over, no more tests, route maps, commentaries, note-taking, citi-tours, overnight trips, endless classroom days. On Sunday we had the last class from 12:00 to 5:00. We had about an hour to go back to our rooms and get ready for the Graduation. When we returned the staff- members each had something to say to us, mostly congratulatory, and encouraging. We then received our certificates and our much-coveted ITMI lapel pin...

We then went up to the 25th floor of the hotel Nikko where we had a fabulous dinner and more of Ted's recommended wines.

We had a very nice time, and the hugs and promises to keep in touch ran rampant. Then we left and split up to find our own celebrations. The young kids went where young kids go and my group of new best friends and I went to a rowdy bar that featured "dueling pianos". We had drinks and sang-along at the top of our voices even if we didn't know the words because we have been taught how to do that at ITMI.

After we closed that bar we searched for a diner where we had breakfast because we knew we would be sleeping long past the time when free "continental" breakfast is offered in the hotel.

I know you are wondering if I will keep blogging after my trip is over. I will continue to blog here periodically but since it was designed to be a "travelogue" of my travels, I will probably keep it to news of my progress in getting a job now that I am certified and the when I do get a job I wll again take you along on my trips.

Thanks everyone for you support and encouragement. Writing this blog helped me to unwind after each busy day and to summarize the day. And it also gave me something to look forward to as I woke up to read your comments. I hope you all enjoyed my trip and my blog.