My final finals week

Have any of you readers out there been to college?  If so, you have my condolences and my congratulations---even if you didn't make it all the way to a commencement ceremony.  In our country, a college education is certainly not something that is simply handed to you.  And it's never just college when you're in college.  It's work and relationships and roommates and grownup responsibilities and time and money and effort and stress.  Sometimes it's multiple jobs and commuting to another town over an hour away to get to those multiple jobs.  It's remembering to check the mail because you have actual bills to pay and credit to build.  It's balancing your sometimes seemingly nonexistent social life with your ever-burdening academic life.  It's remembering to go to the gym so you can shake off those last ten pounds you gained when you first got to college.

For me, this being my last year of undergraduate classes, it has been all of those elements listed above, and more.  On top of this, I added both family obligations and celebrations back home; TWO part-time jobs on the weekends back in my hometown (about 90 minutes away); weddingplansweddingplansweddingplans!; an upturned apartment when the water heaters had to be replaced, and again when the upstairs neighbor's kitchen sink leaked into our kitchen, thus creating layer upon layer of black mold in our cupboards and my roommate's closet; an emergency surgery for my dog's dislocated hip and subsequent vet bills for her recovery as well as her and my other dog's mysterious acquisition of lice; group projects (the dreaded college words!!!) all due within days of each other for multiple classes, and so. much. more!

But it hasn't all been bad.  There have been wine nights with the roomie, adventures here and back home with my man, walks around the neighborhood with my two wonderful doggies, lunch dates and phone conversations with my amazing mother, baking fests and teaching myself to preserve jelly and other canned goods, antique stores, scenic drives, Cabela's openings, bar hopping, Valentine's Day bowling, movie marathons, yard sales, camping trips, crafty projects, 4-H meetings, a 6-week trip to Ireland, and SO MUCH MORE!!

So as my final week before my final finals week winds down (is it Friday yet?), I can safely say that although I really did enjoy the ride, I am ready for the next phase of my life.  Maybe I'll get a Master's degree, and maybe I won't.  Maybe I'll retreat into the country with my soon-to-be hubby and never return (I can dream....right?).  Regardless, I have a pile of homework waiting for me to dive into it, so tonight's ramblings have come to an end.  Inspiring, no?