If I could paint a picture of how I felt Thursday afternoon after I submitted my very last assignment for the semester it would be a picture of me throwing all my books and papers and research paper index cards in the air.
It would be an awesome picture. But since I didn't take a picture, you'll just have to use your imagination.
But it was a great feeling.
The best.
It would be an awesome picture. But since I didn't take a picture, you'll just have to use your imagination.
But it was a great feeling.
The best.
It's been a very long and a very short semester all at the same time, if that makes any sense whatsoever.
I've been stretched beyond what I thought possible in the horribly awful English class.
I've met some great people in my groups for each class. Great people.
I was blessed that these great people were also very conscientious and driven to not only get things done on time but to also do really quality work. This relieves a lot of stress since a lot of the time my grade depends on the work ethic of those in my group.
And I was so blessed this semester.
I met Nicole, who's brother is battling a rare form of cancer. She flew home to Utah last weekend for a fundraiser for her brother, and surprised her whole family when she walked on the stage at the auction sporting a hat that was up for auction. I would've loved to see her family's faces when they saw her. Her $6 hat went for $65. She said a pie went for $500. And another guy would pay $100 for a hot dog, then another $100 for a bag of chips. She said their goal was not only met, but tripled.
I'm always amazed and so thankful for the generosity of others.
I met Joe, who is a bit older than I am, and who graduated over the weekend. He not only had the horribly awful English class, but 9 other credits, a family, and work. When I'd start to complain about my plate being full, I'd think of Joe. Suddenly my plate didn't feel so heavy anymore. And he never complained. Joe's starting his Masters program at Rice University in the fall, and wants to be a college professor. We'd joke with each other, wondering what the job market is for brand new 50ish-year-old college professors. Ha, ha.
I had two professors who really love to teach, are passionate about their subject matter, and were always willing to help. One "interesting" aspect of online learning is that you don't get as much direction as you would in an on-campus class, so you rely on your teachers to fill in the gaps. And fill in the gaps they did. Very well.
I've received so many tender mercies this semester that I lost count. This was especially true with the horribly awful English class. Many times I felt so overwhelmed and under qualified to do the work that was required. I'd do the prep work and then sit down to do an assignment and have no idea what to write whatsoever. I'd say a little prayer, and almost instantly, ideas of what to write would pop into my head.
It was awesome.
When working on each of the three major papers we did, I'd have no idea what to do the paper on, how to fulfill the requirements for that paper (as far as theory, etc.), or how to even start. Once again, one little prayer and I'd be on my way. Then when I'd get stuck, another little prayer and I'd know what I needed to do.
It was amazing.
I have a week off until my spring semester class starts. It's only two credits so it should be a piece of cake compared with last semester. I'm so looking forward to getting a bit of a break.
And Kam comes home late tomorrow night. It will be awesome to have her home again.
And Thursday, Friday, and Saturday I crossed several things off my "after the semester is over" to-do list:
Filing. check.
Clean out closet to donate to Goodwill. check.
Clean out drawers to donate to Goodwill. check.
Reorganize the storage room in the basement. check.
Reorganize 72-hour kits. check.
Reorganize the linen closet. check.
Sew one skirt for me and two skirts for Kailen. check.
I think it'll be an adjustment to get used to not having so much schoolwork to do.
But I'm definitely up for the challenge.
Still on the "after the semester is over" to-do list:
Watercolor.
Practice the violin.
Find Parker's housing and reserve his laptop for fall semester.
Do the magnetic chalkboard that I've been wanting to do since we moved in.
Play tennis.
Read numerous books that I haven't had time to read.
Watch "Downton Abbey" season 1 on netflix (I've heard it so good!)
Blog more
More to come, I'm sure...
I'm pretty excited for what the next five months will bring before the fall semester starts the week after Labor Day.
And then I'll be busy with Brit Lit and American Lit. But I am pretty excited about those classes.
:o)
*Image courtesy of weddingbycolor.com
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