I'm Back

I have much to say and not much energy tonight. I was making a list of Italy wrap-up things to do and decided to just write it here:

1. Finish journaling the last day
2. Download pictures
3. Develop/work with pictures I want to do something with
4. Unpack
5. Do laundry

I know there was more. There are so many blog ideas in my head but none making their way to words tonight. So one picture, with more later:





Also, my crocuses are up and the tulips are on the way. There are a lot more crocuses than I remember last year. Spring is coming!

Find release from your cares...

We had Chinese for lunch today, and my fortune cookie had the following inside of it:

"Find release from your cares, have a good time."

I thought that was appropriate. Our flight to Italy (through Frankfurt) leaves at 10:50 tonight, and I'm going to be on it, bronchitis or no bronchitis. I'm looking forward to a week of reading, relaxing, eating, and tourism. Many pictures to come.

Missing Rooster

Dave's parents came up this weekend to help paint the basement and take Rooster to Chicago. He'll be there for two weeks while we're in Italy. He stayed there over our honeymoon, which was ten days, but we've never been without him since we've had the house. It's weird.

I get up in the morning and go to let him out. Then I open the cabinet to get his food. Oops, I better pick up that Cheerio because Rooster isn't here to eat it. I opened the bathroom door after my shower and expected to see him get up from watching the door. I go to say good-bye to Dave, not having to protect myself from Rooster being protective. I miss his bark as I walk out the door (hey, he is a herder). Getting home and not having him bounce all over, not putting him out, talking to myself because he's not around . . . you get the picture. :(

Also, Happy St. Patrick's Day (I'm so confused by people saying it wasn't really today). I have been sick for a week and a half, postponing my visits to my uncle, who is in the hospital but doing well. Now I am coughing up a lung. Bronchitis is not a good thing to have when you're leaving the country in two days.

I Love Being a Student

Today is snow day #9. I think.

I did get to fall back asleep after getting the call- they actually called school before my alarm went off. Other snow days this year I've stayed awake.

Today I had a meeting at EMU regarding my master's, so I didn't get to stay home and relax. That's ok, because last week I read for 8 hours instead of doing any homework or schoolwork.

Instead, I feel like a student. I had a meeting with professors, scheduled an independent study for the spring term, went to the computer lab, ate lunch at the student center, came to the library, checked out some books I need, and am at another computer lab now.

I am very happy because I will be done with my master's this summer. I have no more classes after this semester (which means no more textbooks to buy and no more parking to pay for). Unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to be part of a graduation ceremony. I am not going to participate in April, and by December I don't think I'll want to take the trouble. I'll just have to get another degree later so I can wear the cap and gown.