After I had informed the immediate family, aware that telling my parents and grandparents would mean the entire family would soon know, and the closest of my friends, I sat bouncing on the edge of my bed for about an hour.  Posting to Facebook ensured that the rest of the world would get the news shortly.

On the next morning, April 15 (Tax day, for all you non-Americans), I was awakened by a phone call from the president of GSU's assistant.  On the following day, the president was holding the first ever State of the University Address, and he wanted me to be part of it.  Despite inquiring, I was not told what I was expected to do, nor what to wear.  

Throughout the day, I received two requests for interviews. At this point in my life, having completed my BA and having my MA a mere matter of paperwork before it was also done, I was anticipating handling very different kinds of interviews. More specifically, I assumed I would be begging for others to interview me for possible jobs, rather than having others approach me with requests.

The State of the University Address went well, and my mother was able to drive up and attend.  They showed me on the big screens, I was addressed in the speech, and I spoke with and shook the hand of the president after the event concluded.  In addition, I learned that I was sharing the spotlight with two other Fulbrighters from GSU!  Three Fulbrights in one year -- not bad for a moderately identifiable urban university!

I found myself in a hurry to complete the paperwork necessary to accept the grant.  Namely, the required physical had to be a rush job.  I drove down to Columbus to visit my family's doctor, but had to be back in Atlanta to get signatures on my thesis paperwork.  The only real issue was the tuberculosis test; I wouldn't be back in Columbus for the test to be read by the time it required.  Instead, I had to find and visit the Gwinnett County Health Services Department and have the TB test injected with no intention of returning. I, then, drove back to Columbus and had it read by my doctor so that the rest of the paperwork could be completed.

Between interviews, Fulbright paperwork, and the paperwork needed to formally complete my MA degree, it was a long time before I knew which end was up!