Graduation Stuff

First off, I've made it back to the U.S. and am making a half-hearted attempt to switch back to California time (though sleeping in certainly does have its perks). For the next week I'll be getting my Cayman work visa in order, starting to pack up, and getting ready for graduation, which is where you folks come in...

Postcards From Moorea is hereby announcing its first contest! I am planning on decorating my mortar board (the INCREDIBLY dorky hat we're forced to wear) with marine bio-related stuff. If anyone has any good ideas as to what I should include or do, please let me know. I figure one last bit of irreverence and individuality is in order, especially in a class of thousands. The winner gets their design (or inspiration from the design) on my mortar board at graduation, which will be seen by thousands of people and undoubtedly please my parents.

The Rules:
No animals may be harmed in the making of this design.
Animal accoutrements (shells, etc) must have been dead for at least two weeks prior to graduation (they're kind of stinky while they're still rotting)
The board itself is 9.5" square
Andrea reserves the right to disqualify any design at her whim and leisure
Andrea also reserves the right to just wing it Friday afternoon
Deadline: Undie Run (Wednesday at midnight)
Disclaimer: Unlike certain other schools, graduation is quite a bit more laid-back here, and the decoration of one's mortar board is considered normal (and expected for some majors). If nothing else, it'll make it much easier to find me in the sea of humanity that is a UCLA graduation ceremony.

In other news, I would also like to pass on an open invitation to my graduation party being held at Chateau Robertson in Monterey at 1pm on July 1st. If you're reading this you're invited, but you'll have to ask me for directions (unless you've passed this rigorous security system before and already know where we live). There are rumors of a pirate theme, so you may want to consider bringing some dubloons so you can tip the valet.