today I'm grateful for the process.

Today was my last official day at the Denver Public Library--as an intern, that is. I am excited to begin my on-call library career with Denver Public Library next month! My internship provided me with an excellent introduction to DPL, so I think getting the ball rolling next month will be a breeze.

Today was an amazing day from start to finish. I arrived at the Woodbury early to find the entire staff waiting for me with a card, ice cream cake, an orchid, a potted plant, and Mexican candies! I was so honored to receive their thanks. In all honesty, I owe them everything for giving me such a wonderful experience, and for helping me secure the on-call job: I am indebted to them forever.

The day was busy with Summer of Reading sign-ups, last-day-of-school visits from neighboring elementary schools, and the general busy Friday reference desk schedule. I walked to 32nd and Lowell for a sandwich at bang!, where I enjoyed one of the best sandwiches ever (a BLT, to be exact.) I spent my lunch hour sitting at a table under a tree, writing thank-you cards to Beth and Pilar, my practicum supervisors.

As I sat there, I noticed two women at the neighboring table with Spanish dictionaries and worksheets. I couldn't help but overhear that they were practicing Spanish together. It made me realize that, four years ago, I never would have guessed that my Spanish skills would give me the opportunities that I've had since graduating college. Just as learning a second language has been a journey for me, so has this process of earning a Master's degree--and I am so very grateful for this life; my journey; the process.

I began volunteering at Woodbury in 2008, when I was an eager college graduate wanting to work in libraries, not knowing that, today, three years later, I would finish my graduate school internship at the very same library. I feel truly blessed today, and I dedicate this post to my classmates at the University of Denver, and all of my professional colleagues. The future will be bright for us if we believe in our dreams.