I have a new toy. I have wanted a digital SLR camera for a LONG time. However, I didn't feel I could justify spending the money when I wouldn't have time to use it anyway.

That is not the case anymore though. Even though I'm still working about 12 hours a day, at least I don't have classes and homework when I come home. I also have my Saturdays back...oh how glad I am to not get up early on Saturday to do grad work for five hours and then turn around and spend five hours Sunday evening catching up on lesson plans.

So as a graduation present to myself, I bought this:

And I have taken every opportunity to use it.

You know those Dominos Pizza ads where they tell you to take a picture of the pizza because they don't need fancy photography to make their pizza look good? Well, neither do I.

Doesn't this look super yummy with jalapenos from my garden?

I made Adam take me on an adventure my first free Saturday. We visited Cliffs of the Neuse state park. "Cliffs" is a loosely used term in eastern North Carolina, and the hike was only a mile, but it was great to get out and explore anyway.

And, Saturday wouldn't be complete without a date night with my husband from the comfort of our own home.

Ok, so I'm still learning how to use this thing. But it feels so great to finally learn photography and to get out of the house a LOT more.

I am an official Master.

That's right. I did it. I have officially graduated from Virginia Tech with my Master's! Three and half years, three states, two cross country moves, 5 jobs, new schools, new grades, deployment, agonizing hours in front of the computer screen wondering if I'll ever get there, and freaking out the day before my final project was due that I would never be smart enough to graduate. Totally Worth It. Totally. I can NOT stop beaming :)

P.S. 3.61 GPA!

Secret Likes

I once heard someone say that when you love someone, you start to love the things they love too. This couldn't be more true. Some things though, we never like, or only secretly start to like. Golf is one of those things I don't think I'm ever going to like. But I like Adam playing golf. Or standing in the military history section of Barnes and Noble. I will never find enjoyment in that, but I do like going with Adam. I like going to the museums and air shows. (It's going to the same museum ten times that I dislike). I love living on an air station and being around helicopters flying overhead all the time. I pretend to be annoyed or disinterested sometimes, but I, too, crane my neck to watch their pattern in the sky.

Adam is the same way. He pretends to think some of the things I do are lame. But I know secretly, he likes it. He likes that I love decorating the house and he'll help me pick things out. Or shows I watch on tv that are lame to pretty much everybody, he'll watch and take interest. He pretends to be bored and sigh when I'm looking at jewelry, but he never insists on leaving and always buys me something cool.

All of this became so evident at the beach over the Fourth of July weekend. We went with my college friends Brooke and Rich, Dan and Kelly, and Emily. Whenever I go to the beach I love to collect shells. I have a jar of shells from all the beaches we've lived at and visited. I like to use them in decorations or as mulch in containers. And as I walk on the beach and dig up shells in the sand, Adam just laughs at me and says I'm ridiculous. But for almost an hour that Monday on the beach, he collected shells for me. He wanted to get all the good ones that were right at the base of where the waves were crashing. So as each wave filtered back into the ocean, he would run in and pick up handfuls and shells and rocks and come running to put the good ones in my hands. He was so sweet collecting shells I didn't want to throw a single one back.

When you love someone, you love all that comes with them. Openly or secretly, I am blessed to have someone who loves all that comes with me.

Masters of Art in Procrastination

This is my life right now (and has been for the last 5 months):

I have sat at this table reading, typing, researching, writing papers and building now a second website for a final portfolio. I started grad school in January of 2007. Three and half years later, I want so desperately to be done. And yet, I think I'm afraid to let go. In this, my last class of grad school EVER, I have hit a wall. I have pushed off this assignment (that I have barely started and is due tomorrow by 5) and I know it's because I'm scared. Scared that all the work has not been good enough, scared that I don't know what an "instructional technologist" really is, and scared to turn in this portfolio for fear that it does not prove I have mastered this content, but only proves I have just begun to understand. I don't want to let go yet. I have loved and loathed grad school, but mostly loved. I have no sentimental attachment to professors, or classmates, or the campus I have not actually stepped foot on but once in 2003 before grad school was even a thought. I just will miss so much: the learning, the work, the feedback on my work, and the feeling of accomplishment when that paper or project is finally done. I know I already have opportunities to continue research, writing, and development in this area and still gain feedback from peers, but it won't be the same. When I finish I'll be expected to be a professional Instructional Technologist, but I'm afraid I'll just be an imposter.

Just thinking....

I might not be cut out to be a blogger. For one thing, I don't post very often. I also usually get halfway through a post and then get bored and save it for later. And since I have a million unfinished posts that I have yet to finish, later really means never.

I do have an explanation though. I hate using this word anymore since it seems to be the only one that has summed up my life, but I've been busy. We've been busy. Oh my goodness there is so much to catch up on in the blog and I just couldn't possibly do it all justice. So I won't try.

But, if you were the least bit interested, here's a quick list:
1. Grad school thesis project = 180 hours of research, training, blogging, collaborating, evaluating, and website creation complete!
2. Adam's first grad school classes have begun.
3. I finished a successful year at the brand new school and was really pleased with test scores overall. Preparing to teach second grade next year-so excited!
4. Adam's good friend got married in Charleston and as a groomsman, a trip south ensued.
5. Gabriel graduated from high school! (Also trip-worthy)
6. Outer Banks with college friends!

We're home for two weeks of cleaning and grad school work (and seeing friends) before we head up to White Sulphur Springs for an Officer's Christian Fellowship retreat for a week. After that, I'll be submitting my final portfolio to graduate and school will start. Adam will be going to VA Beach for training, then California before becoming the Forward Air Controller for the 22nd MEU which he will deploy with again next year.

Life is full and life is grand. We are very happy.

More things you only see in Jacksonville....

http://www.jdnews.com/news/class-79265-bodycopyrag-motorcycle.html

Read it. Then try to figure out the conversation that occurred between the pair before getting on the motorcycle.

"You know what would be a great idea?!...."

Just a normal day in Eastern North Carolina...

My friend Michelle and I have had numerous conversations about the things we see here in the southeastern parts of North Carolina. It started one day when she saw a man burning trash on the side of 24 (one of the major highways in Jacksonville). She thought for a moment "What is he doing?! On the side of the road?!", but then remembered where she was. It is just not out of place here. You get used to things like that. You begin to remain unphased.

I remember our first few days here in Jacksonville, coming from Oceanside, CA. We entered a parking lot to see a very pregnant teen smoking. I was shocked. Welcome to Jacksonville I guess. But again, you get used to things like that.

So it seems fitting to share our Saturday with you, a typical NC day: (I'm giving you fair warning now and apologizing in advance. If you are intrigued, read on....)

We went to the beach with some friends. Returning to the car in the parking lot, we began to overhear a conversation between the people parked next to us. Apparently the girl desperately needed to relieve her bowels. Instead of walking the 1/4 mile to the nearest public restroom, or having her significant other drive the 30 seconds it would take to get to the restroom, she decided a good idea would be to squat down in front of the car in the middle of the parking lot and go. Number 2. Not kidding.

Slightly unphased, we traveled to Food Lion to pick up some things for dinner. Leaving the second parking lot of the day, a woman backed into our friends car. Minor bumper damage, thankfully. So as we stood outside the car waiting for them to work things out, we witnessed two other events simultaneously. A girl, whips around the corner into a parking space practically running over our friends. She gets out of her car and drops her cigarette on the ground by our friends feet. She bends over, derriere high in the air, and tries not to disturb them as she picks it up. She walks away towards the store and proceeds to put the cigarette back in her mouth. I think "Ewww....", but laugh it off. Of course, this is when we notice the 7-ish year old boy drop his trousers and begin peeing in the middle of the parking lot. Not just peeing, but standing tall and proud, facing everyone, arching his back as to get a good, high arc in the stream. Not another person in the whole parking lot even flinched. Most things don't shock me anymore, but this was just too much for one day. I couldn't help but share.

I think I've also learned to spend less time in parking lots here.