May 2025 Recap – Hereโs a full recap of my very busy month!
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May 2025 Recap
Since there was so much happening throughout May, I thought it would be easier to do a recap of the three main events in my life last month: Community Arts Day in Piscataway , Author Signing in Princeton, and my Masters graduation in Piscataway.
May 2025 Recap: Community Arts Day (May 3)
I had the amazing opportunity to come back to Piscataway Public Library for their annual Community Arts Day, which was at their Kennedy Branch on Saturday, May 3. There was a mix of children, teens and families at the event, and I felt pretty familiar with the space.
Given that I was working with Peggy Wong, one of the librarians there, it felt familiar to read in front of a crowd again. I’d read “Places” and “This Summer” from Destinations, and it was a bit of a difference reading my work aloud. I had gotten some laughs from reading “This Summer” because of a few inside jokes about my family, and also some critiques about reading about Mai Tais and doing Tik Toks in front of children. But I didn’t think anyone had noticed. I still thought I did a good job!
May 2025 Recap: Local Authors Day (May 10)
This day was so much fun! I had applied to be one of the authors for Princeton Public Library’s Local Authors Day 2025, where authors can come in and sell and sign their books. I had to not only apply for the event, but become a vendor by filling out the NJ-REG form. The state of New Jersey requires vendors to collect sales tax. So that was a whole new ordeal I had to learn. But the event was a lot of fun, I met some really cool people and more poets and authors in Princeton.
May 2025 Recap: Rutgers University New Brunswick Master of Information Graduation (May 15)
The most hectic day of my life!! lol
First off, I had the whole day planned. I woke up at 7 AM, because I had to be at the venue (Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway) at 9 AM. The ceremony started at 10AM-12PM, and of course, I was late. I woke up three hours before the ceremony time, and I was still late! My niece Aniya drove us to the venue and it was kind of a crazy way to get around.
My mom, Aniya, and my Uncle John almost missed my walk because they had trouble getting a good seat. I had a panic attack on the way to my Class’ section because in my rush, I first sat with the Bachelor’s students (I was supposed to sit up front with the Master of Information students). So almost 20 minutes into the ceremony, I ran down the middle of the aisle to catch a last-minute seat with my Master of Information group. You can probably see me running in the Rutgers livestream lmaooo!
It was just a mess!! lmaoo
But when I was finally called my name and I got to walk across the stage… it was the best feeling. It was like a feeling I can’t even describe. I didn’t even hear anything, not even my niece screaming her whoops in the background lol. All I saw was my teacher, Dr. Joyce Valenza, and me shaking my former program chair, Rebecca Reynolds’ hand, and giving her a hug. I was Rebecca’s program assistant 2 years ago, and she was super sweet and helpful with my first work study job. So it was so surreal that this whole moment for us came back full circle.
I’m just super happy to be officially done with school. I’ve spent the past three years in this MI program (9 years altogether, if you include my Associate’s, Bachelor’s and now Master’s degrees). and I just want to work as a professional librarian and really put my work to good use. Next step, find a job!!
And no, I’m not doing a PHD… for now. If there is a really good, irresistible opportunity for me to do the Doctorate, then maybe. But until then, my education is done for now, and I’m really proud of myself.
Any of my NJ librarians out there, if you’re hiring, please let me know! I’d love to do an interview with you!
Watch Rutgers University New Brunswick’s School of Communication and Information Convocation on Rutgers’ Youtube channel here. Fast forward to 54:10 to see me walk! (PS. It’s so cute how you can hear my niece Aniya’s scream in the background as I’m walking on stage lol!)
Comment belowโฆabout my very exciting events this past month! What has your May been like so far? Any early summer plans?
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