i smiled and laughed and hugged and took pictures and threw up my pinky and stumbled home sick. once i drove myself home, i gathered my gifts into my bed and went through them. i slept for 2 days straight--i'd started succumbing to a cold and sinus infection the night before so i was a mess. my voice was gone by the end of the rededication hymn.
but it wasn't until i FINALLY got my pearls *last night* that i was completely overwhelmed by emotion--we just got our certificate and our pins yesterday. i got so choked up and couldn't stop looking at it. i showed my mom-in-law and she was all happy (my sponsor), then i looked at it some more. oh and i sent for my login to the website

and updated my info today. and i looked at that beautiful badge some more. i finally feel official
breaks my heart to see badges on ebay. they are so precious. i wish i could buy them all to ensure that a soror had them. too bad i'm a broke, ph.d. student. i got my pearls

and i have a heart to collect those lost pearls just floating around.
just waiting on my history book now :/ i guess after boule.