Congratulations Dr. Jason!

Friday
After a leisurely breakfast, the four of us, plus Jason’s Mum Teresa, visited Red Butte Gardens at the University of Utah - see extra. Jason was getting his hair cut and isn’t really into flowers anyway! We had visited the gardens once before, probably one of the first times we visited, five years ago now, but it seemed to me it’s been developed a lot more since then, and maybe it was a different time of year, but today it was wonderful in its Spring glory against the backdrop of the mountains. Afterwards we had a late lunch at Feldman’s deli, which is modeled on the classic Jewish deli you might find in New York. We needed a late lunch today, since Jason’s graduation was at 7.30 pm, so we weren’t having dinner until 9.30! Jason left early for the graduation as he was having a celebration drink with his fellow classmates. We left in plenty of time, concerned about the traffic and parking situation, but in fact everything went smoothly so we arrived early. It was a beautiful sunny warm evening, and we stood outside for a while, watching the other graduates and their families. One custom we had never encountered before was that quite a number of the graduates, even a few of the guys were wearing Hawaiian style leis over their sashes and cords! The ceremony was in the basketball arena, and the top right photo of Jason being “hooded” was a photo of the large central Jumbotron. Jason’s PhD is in Creative writing, and if all goes to plan he will be taking up a professorship at a small college in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. He’s accepted the offer, but hasn’t actually had the contract to sign yet! The location wouldn’t have been their top choice, but you go where the job is! Atlanta is a huge city, the traffic dreadful and public transport leaving much to be desired, and unfortunately the best hospitals for Jen as a nurse aren’t particularly close to the college. Up until now, they’ve always been able to manage with one car and public transport, but they will need to buy a second car now. They will however be much closer to us, and even closer to Jason’s parents in Florida. Jen will miss the mountains and spectacular scenery of Utah, but she will still have plenty of hiking close by, just very different scenery!
The ceremony was over a little earlier than anticipated, so we made it to the restaurant for about 9.10 instead of 9.30, where we enjoyed a lovely celebratory dinner.