Bachelor Degree- check!

Well, I did it. In a few weeks, my Bachelor diploma will arrive in the mail. 

It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears.... figuratively speaking at least. It was a ton of work including many late nights, long days, and mental stretching. Probably the hardest part of earning my degree was the fact that I worked a regular job (and sometimes 2 or 3 jobs) throughout the process. And as hard as it is to admit, I'm not as young as I once was. When I worked on my Associate degree just five years ago, I consistently stayed up to 1 o'clock in the morning doing homework. But this past year and half, that was a lot harder to do. There were nights I stayed up late for sure, but my body craved sleep way more than it did years ago. But nonetheless, I survived. Some semesters I felt that I had no life outside of school; even when I was working or driving, or trying to relax, my brain was already thinking of the next assignment. But its all over now! Praise the Lord, for his strength and grace that saw me through this process. 

Many people have asked me what's next...well for one, I plan on catching up on sleep. (though this week, that's not really happening, since I'm working nights, as well as days) I have been enjoying the Christmas season with my family and just relaxing for change. I've been able to read some books, of my own choosing, :) and work on some projects I've put off for a long time. As for what's next. Well, guess you'll just have to wait and see. I'm sure it'll be an adventure whatever happens.... :D

Here's a few random pictures from the past almost two years of school. These may represent some of the motivating factors that kept me persevering-

teaching my nephew about AK hockey :) 

Enjoying sunshine despite sub-zero temps

doing homework by oil lantern - no electricity for days

hosting friends breaks up those long nights of study

nothing like sushi and free dessert to renew the spirit

sunrise!

facetiming a very dear friend half a world away

Procrastination and School don't mix well....

Here I sit at my desk, writing a blogpost.... when I should be writing something else. Saturday has been my self-proclaimed homework day for the past six weeks or so. I usually try to do some homework throughout the week, as I have a few minutes here and there, but Saturdays are my big day to get a lot done. But honestly, I'm a little burnt out. I have this one class that is challenging, like really challenging. I don't understand a lot of what I am required to read and then write about. And it doesn't help that it's an online class, so there is no classroom teaching time for the professor to assist my understanding. 

I've been doing okay in my last few classes, even the one which is challenging. But I think I've hit the mid-semester hurdle. I am just tired of reading, studying, and writing about stuff I don't care about. But must keep going...

The good news is, I am almost done!! For real done. :) I have 7 more weeks of school left, for my entire undergrad degree. I am taking four classes and need to test out of one more and I will have fulfilled all my degree requirements. So, come December 18th, I will be officially done with college! Hopefully, not long after that I will have my diploma in hand. (let's not think about master's degree for a little while) 

In other news, winter is here. It threatened last month to overwhelm us when it dumped 15 inches of wet snow in a day or two. But that melted over time and we had cool, but not cold weather for a few more weeks. But this past week, it dropped to below freezing and we've had a few inches of snow fall. I think it's here to stay. I'm looking forward to winter activities, though gotta do that school stuff first. :/ 

before the winter came for real

winter in Mongolia, a few years back

Tutoring Makes Friends

Last fall semester, I took a class about 2nd Language Teaching. Part of the requirement was to tutor an ESL student currently at UAF for 5 hours during the semester. Because they had surplus of ESL students who wanted a tutor, I was assigned two! Mine were both from Japan, though they had never met until arriving at UAF. Mika, Tsukino and I had a great time together and we spent more than the required 5 hours together. 

We spent a lot of time just working on pronunciation, talking, reviewing their homework, writing essays and having a good time. They were glad to have an American friend they could talk freely with. Mika decided to come back to UAF for the spring semester as well, so we got to spend even more time together. She came to church with me a couple times and I was able to share the Gospel with her as well. 

I am so glad for the opportunity to meet and become friends with Mika and Tsukino! Even though it was part of school assignment, we became good friends. We are still in contact and Mika can't wait until I come visit her in Japan. :) 

Don't overlook opportunities to help someone! You may become great friends, all from investing a little of your time. 

our last evening together before Mika left Alaska

Downtown Fairbanks

Is it over yet?

Lately, I've been swimming the ocean of Melville. Traveling in space with C. S. Lewis and through time with A. Huxley. Meeting the Bayou people of old Louisiana, courtesy of Kate Chopin. And just finished exploring the world of philology with Webster and Murray. 

Meanwhile, I'm also anticipating three exams next week, all while writing, revising, rewriting and editing papers on all the above topics. Yeah, I'm ready for the semester to be OVER! 

That's when the fun will begin..... only fifteen more days!!!! 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

Maybe you were thinking, it's too early for Christmas. Well it is, but it's not too early for HOCKEY! My sisters and I went to the first game this past Saturday and one of them started singing that song. We laughed, but it we do love this time of year. Doesn't seem like it's been 5 months since our last game, seems like 5 years! Just kidding, but it has been a while. 

So, Saturday night, found us at the ice rink, watching the first game of the season. Well, first unofficial game; it was really a scrimmage, but it was still hockey. Here's to a good season. Hoping our incoming freshman can step up and fill some gaps and our returning players ramp it up even more. Conversations the past couple days at our house has included more and more references to hockey. Wouldn't surprise me if one night this next week when I get home, someone puts Miracle on to play. Nothing like watching the 1980 Miracle on ice to get one's blood pumping. 

many of the freshman

almost the whole team

If you notice a lot of bald heads, that's because they all shaved their heads in support of Justin Woods, #8. He is from here and was a freshman on our team last year. He was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer this past spring. He's currently undergoing treatments. Hopefully he'll be back next season, ready to skate. :)

Aunt Barrie :D

The most exciting thing that has happened to me recently is..... 

I became an Auntie!!!!! 

My oldest brother's wife just had their first son this past Thursday, the 23rd. Which is actually my youngest brother's birthday. I've only seen two pictures so far, but of course, he's a cute baby! :) His name is Legion Kale.  I guess he had holes in his lungs, so they had him in baby ICU and were giving him oxygen. Thankfully, he is improving and they didn't have to do any invasion to fix the problem. He is supposed to be able to go home tomorrow. Thanks to you who knew and were praying for him. 

Hopefully I'll have some pics sometime to post for you all. 

Also, exciting.... the UAF Nanooks just won the Governor's Cup for the 3rd year in a row on Saturday night. 

Sadly, I wasn't there. :( But I heard it was an awesome game, with a sellout crowd. (first sellout since 2006) For those of you reading not from Alaska, well you just wouldn't understand. :) but Hockey is big in Alaska! and the Governor's Cup is pretty much the best series of games every year. Great game guys! 

Go UAF!!!