Student SPHere 2008-09

I think things are starting to return to normal. Then again what is normal in grad school? I guess normal for me, would be having a typical amount of hw, work projects and outside school activities. These past three weeks have been heavy on all three accounts. The hw and work projects was expected. Its always an adjustment when restarting school again and figuring out that balance between work and school. That has stabilized. The outside school activities has been outside the norm, though. That’s because my wife and I bought a house in August.

That has made the outside school activities dramatically increase. For starters, we closed on a Wednesday, I prepped and painted a room on Thursday and we moved on Friday. I then defended my masters plan B on Monday. I would not advise doing so much in a short time frame, if possible. Once you have a place, you have lots of little maintenance and improvement projects that take up a lot of time. Figuring out the balance for what I can do easily with my school/work responsibilities has taken some time. We also had the last of the family visit the new place. During the last four weekend one of our parents were here (one came twice, as they stopped on their way up and back from fishing up north). It’s a ton of fun to entertain family and friends in a house. I remember trying to have friends over in my efficiency next to campus during my first year, now that was a challenge.

So now that things are returning to “normal� I am excited. I am going to have more time to enjoy school activities. One of my highlights every year is the EnHS Division Picnic. Its this coming Friday. What better way to get to know the faculty, staff and students in the division, than by sharing grilled food? I will have pictures next week of the festivities. I am also looking forward to the Twins game on Friday night (my wife’s office is treating). I just hope the Twins finish strong.

I don’t know about you all, but I am getting really excited for the fall (it starts tomorrow). I realize that snow and the cold follow the fall, but its my favorite season. Its not hot and not freezing yet, plus the trees are beautiful.