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12/12/2007: "Live life in the fast lane, but don't forget to slow down every now and again."
music: Silencemood: Content
Well, the semester is over -- again. My last final is tonight, though I have been done with all of my work since last week, so I have just been showing up to my finals this week. I don't even have to bring my backpack anymore. And somehow I managed to earn a 4.0 again this semester. No, scratch that. I take it back. It's not "somehow". It's "I worked my tail off all semester and earned the grades I deserve!" And those grades happen to be all As. That means that, come May, I will be graduating with my Master's degree ... summa cum laude. Now, I don't know if those honors are actually applied to Masters students, but in my mind ... I will know that that's what it means. It's an amazing feeling to have earned a 4.0 for the first time in my life -- if for no other reason than to prove that I can. That I am capable.
But I'll tell you what.
From a teacher's point of view -- it's amazing what happens to a student's grades when they are fully immersed in a curriculum that they enjoy. It's a true testament to the importance of aligning the curriculum with student interest as much as possible. Enjoyment is one of the purest forms of motivation there is.
Stepping down from my soapbox, however, I have to say that I can't believe I'm 2/3 of the way through my master's degree and that in just a few weeks, I will be student teaching. And in a few months, I will be graduating again. Life moves faster and faster with each passing moment.
To update everyone on what's been going on in our lives would take forever, but it's okay. I've got time. 
School is really the only thing going on with me. I'm quitting my job in a few weeks, but might need to pick up an evening job somewhere while I'm student teaching. We will see how things pan out financially. Umm, I've discovered that I am an artist ... that I love to paint and create and draw and all of those things that everyone always told me I wasn't any good at. I've created three or four pieces that are proudly displayed in different rooms of our house. I love it. 
Art is real ... and it's relaxing. When I'm painting, there is nothing else in the world that matters more, and there is nothing that could possibly disrupt the euphoria I feel. It's incredible.
We went home for Thanksgiving and surprised our families, which was incredible! It was a last minute decision, but it was so worth it! We drove through the night and arrived at my parents' house at 9:00 on Thanksgiving morning. I finally changed my name while we were home, so I am officially Mrs. Trask!! My new driver's license came in the mail yesterday!
Brandon and I bought snowshoes last weekend and went out and hiked up to Donut Falls with them. Let me just say that I am pretty sure snow shoeing is the coolest thing I have ever done in my entire life!! We are going to try to do it at least every other weekend, but hopefully more. There are so many places to hike that I definitely want to see ... and it's awesome that we don't have to wait until spring/summer to go see them anymore! Snow shoeing = ridiculously cool. PLUS I get to dress up in snow clothes and go tromp through the wilderness with my hubby ... it doesn't get much better than that.
What else?
On the not-so-good news front ... Brandon's great grandfather Eddie passed away on Sunday, so we are flying to Vaisalia tomorrow morning to be there for the memorial service. It will be nice to see that whole side of the family again, but it is too bad that it will be for such a grim reason. Brandon and I are both at peace with it though -- me more than him, I'm sure ... but that's to be expected. Eddie lived a very long, very good and very honest life. He is a true testament to how much joy and fulfillment comes from living honestly, regardless of the circumstances. He was a good man, and I know he will be missed -- and I know it isn't the easiest thing for Brandon, but we are working through it. Hard times are part of life, and I'm just glad that we have each other to lean on when they happen.
Also, Brandon is thinking about starting online classes through the University of Phoenix and getting a degree in IT/Networking. Headwaters will pay for part of it, which is certainly nice. I'm glad he's thinking about it though -- I think it will really benefit him in the long run.
I think that is about it. We are preparing for and looking forward to Christmas and being together. The snow makes everything so white and bright, and I can't help but think that this is how winter is supposed to be. I am glad that we're here to enjoy it!
That's all for now.
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