A Lot's Happened Since Then

After going so long without posting here, I'm not sure what to write. It feels like I should have something really profound to say, or at least be super excited to post. I get that same feeling that I have when I save a nice bottle of wine or beer; the feeling that no occasion is good enough to open it the longer I save it. I guess a better way to approach it would be like getting back to the gym after a long time off and just take it easy and slow. Either way, I still think I post more than Morley...

For those of you who don't know, I started Grad school in January to pursue a Master's of Education. Things are going well, very slowly, but I think that's good because I have more time to get my work done. Grad school is kind of weird, probably more so for me because I am in a cohort program which seems to take all the weird little differences about graduate school and exaggerate them. For instance, I have class one night a week and take one class at a time. Also, I found it strange that, because the expectation in grad school is that you are self motivated and truly want to be there, you get A's as long as you do the work. Not that I think my work has not been quality, but I am not used to the concept that teachers create a grading scale in which the process is the important part and the teachers take responsibility for creating a curriculum
that, if completed, will reliably elicit learning and competence. I really enjoy this style and find that, with the pressure off, I do very good work. I even find myself wishing I had class more often.

In order to afford school without going into insane amounts of debt, I made the decision to move back in with my parents who have been more than gracious to me and very understanding with me as a roommate. We are on very different schedules, which I'm sure is a strain on them, but they have been wonderful and more than willing to help me out. Thanks Mom and Dad!!!

That being said, I have found myself regressing a little as far as my self-reliance and independence go. I could be a lot better about keeping my room clean and helping out around the house, and I will do my best to improve in this regard.

I have GOT to stop watching so much TV!!! What a waste of time!! Man movie channels are a killer, there's always something on!! Sadly enough it's never really anything worth watching. (I watched a terrible movie called "Hollywood Flies" that starred Vinnie Jones, and stayed up way too late-OOPS!)

No summer Ultimate program this year, which sucks, because that was a nice chunk of money and made for a great summer lifestyle last year. I was at Humboldt Park and could bike over to the beach everyday for some volleyball after work before I went to either work or frisbee, what a life I had!! Since the word came down about our program being cut I've been edgy and uncomfortable because I don't know what my summer will be like. But Lush has been able to pay the bills so far and I've been very happy working there this year.

As for what I have coming up this summer, I'm mostly sticking around town, playing Ultimate, working at Lush, and taking classes. I am excited to say that I will be heading to Yosemite in late July for some backpacking (something I really missed doing last summer). I've never really been anywhere in California other than L.A. and am looking forward to checking out what's up north.

Also on the radar in the distant future is a possible trip to Colombia over New Year's. My friend Jorge has family down there and we've been talking about how sweet it would be to get out of Chicago right about then. Plus, I assume because people are afraid to go there, flights are cheap. So if I can pull it off financially, I'm there!

In other news, I miss the Savvy Joes and the Seattle Flynns (as well as Seattle in general), and I hope I get to see you all very soon