Graduation Day

Sunday June 9, 2013

Boulder, Colorado

Another Glorious Day in the Rockies

I flew to Boulder, Colorado from Tokyo to join the graduation festivities for my beloved nephew Billy. Not only was it his high school graduation but he also turned 18 on June 4, which officially makes him an adult.

I arrived around 1am on Wednesday and suffered through wicked jetlag until today, Sunday. Things were a bit hectic as I had to fit in my shopping including getting the new Macbook Air and other things that I can't get in Japan (eg shoes and clothes!)

Wednesday was spent most of the time with Jackson as Billy was still in school and the parents had to get ready for the senior dinner. So I went to Whole Foods with Kim to buy all the ingredients for a steak dinner. Lucky for us, they had organic grass fed ribeye steaks which is Jackson's favorite. I made the steaks with maitr'd butter and creamy mashed potatoes while Jackson made his infamous sauteed mushrooms. After dinner, Jackson made shaved ice with his special syrup for dessert. We spend the rest of the nite catching up on American TV where Jackson showed me the highlights America's Got Talent and the Duck Dynasty. If you haven't seen the Duck Dynasty, you must. You will not believe it's a real American super rich family. Kim, Bill and Billy came home around 930pm and soon afterward, we went to sleep. I feel asleep quickly but was wide awake at 2am and could not go back to sleep. Needless to say, the next day was tough going.

Thursday was spent shopping and getting ready for the graduation weekend which was starting on Friday. I finally got a new suitcase and although my intention was to buy a Tumi, I found out they changed their insurance policy so went with Briggs and Riley which has a lifetime guarantee and is about 15% less expensive. And I also got my new Macbook Air. Got home, did some work and then it was time for dinner where we met the other Aunties – Pammie and Christina, for dinner at Bacco which has fabulous burrata and artichokes. I miss artichokes! After another early nite where I feel asleep quickly but again wide awake around 1am so another tough day ahead.

Friday is when the excitement started building… The first event for graduation weekend… The Rose Ceremony. Waldorf Schools have this tradition where at the beginning of the school year, the seniors give every new first grader a rose. And the end of the year, the first graders give every senior a rose to send them off to their new challenge. It was very touching and emotional. After the ceremony, we got home and got dressed for our formal dinner at Frasca's which is one of the best restaurants in Boulder. What a treat! I loved, loved, loved my 1st and 2nd course. My 1st coarse was creamy polenta and the second course was tagliaterra with 3 different kind of clams. Delish! Even Jackson and Billy loved it. The third coarse was a tilefish that was caught that day in the Atlantic and flown in but I ate only 1/2 of it as I had to take a conf call for work. So… Jackson finished it. The call ended in time for the dessert to come. I ordered the olive oil cake because I make a mean one. Well, I have to say, this one from Frasca was the best! Again, after a sumptious dinner, went to bed early but woke up again around 2am!!! Erghh…

Saturday, I woke up groggy, but had to tough it out as it was graduation day! Day started with Kim and I getting our hair done followed by getting ready for the big ceremony. We showed up a little before 2pm with excitement and then the senior procession began. The ceremony was very touching and well done with great speeches from the students, teachers and parents. But the most exciting part of course was Billy getting his diploma. We then mingled with other students and teachers over hors d'oevres and then got ready for the party! Had a great time at the party but believe Billy had the best time!

He came home the next day with someone else's shirt and fell asleep on a roof! He did not look like he was doing well. Anyhoo, I, for the first night slept through the night. Felt so good that I went for a one hour hike in the morning. Billy of course, had to go to another party. He said all the students were hung over but enjoyed the party. After he came back, and before my next set of conf calls, he opened his presents. And then we capped off the graduation weekend with a barbecue which I missed most of it because of conf calls :(( but had some leftovers and caught up on the conversations.

What a wonderful and special weekend. I'm so happy I made it in person as it was very special day for Billy. I'm so proud of him and can't believe how he's grown into a kind a caring young gentleman. He is off to University of Alabama in fall, and am looking forward to all the things he will accomplish in the future.

Happy 18th Birthday Billy1