21st Grade

It's the end of the semester, and graduation time. And I keep seeing posts from people like, "today was the last day of classes in my educational career!" Or "I just turned in my last project ever." and other count downs to graduation. All of it seems so strange to me. Maybe because I've played that game before, thinking I was leaving school, only to end up back again so I'm more wary of being duped this time.

I have been in school a long time. I'm sure it will end some day (except during finals week). But I hope I never stray far from the university. I've grown up here. I love education. I've never been the worse for getting more of it. And it's not for lack of jobs. I've always worked while in school. And I've been out of school, had several respectable, career-worthy jobs. But I always come back. It's not that I can't hack life outside of school. It's that I so strongly believe in the power of education.

Particularly now, the university is the vehicle of for my profession as well. It's where great ideas and great momentum form. It's where I find mentors and where I see the power of the next generation. It's where the leaders of the next generation are. I believe education changes the world by changing people. and it has changed me. 21st grade has proved to be pretty great. Looking forward to 22nd grade.

(And in case you're really worried, I will actually graduate with all of my piles of degrees in December 2011 and say farewell to my alma matter matter matter.)

In other news, I've realized that finals is kind of a magical time because of the beauty and mystery of procrastination. I'm making a list of all the things I want to do when I'm not drowning in finals.

The magical thing about finals is that while you have time to do absolutely nothing else, somehow you actually spend a lot of time doing anything but what you absolutely should do.

The higher the stakes, the more the procrastination. And things get done that didn't even need to be done. Like a deep cleaning of the bathroom. It's delightful.

So here's a list of big projects that can definitely wait. We'll see how many of them get done by the end of next week.

Clean- the carpets (we need a vacuum), and decorate my room more fully. Figure out where to hang the ridiculous longhorns I just brought back from Texas. I know. Ridiculous.

Garden- I want to start gardening. I'm just not quite sure yet where to start. Square foot gardening? The decaying planters on my porch? And how ambitious should I be? I want to grow produce so I never have to buy fruits and vegetables again. Is that asking too much?

Chickens- I was reading this article on eggs on my flight. I know. Totally random. But it made me want to raise chickens some day. I think it would be a great experience for kids. Plus fresh eggs to share. I'm just not sure where to put the chickens. While we're at it, I'd like to own a cow, a horse, and an orchard one day.

Brain Work- I really need to put some elbow grease into developing the Emerging Leaders program for the Ruth Institute

Thesis- oh yeah. Did I mention I still have to finish my final edits on my thesis for my first masters degree? They should have been done a year ago but got put on the shelf when I started the MPA program. Theoretically, I could just turn it in as is and say done. But I'm a bit of a perfectionist so that means I'll probably spend a large part of my summer writing and re-writing my thesis.

Car- I need to register it. That turned in to I need an emissions test. That means that my check engine light came on for the first time ever. Which means I can't get an emission test until it turns off. That means I have to find a mechanic to check it out. Long string of things to do that can't be done on the internet = it never gets done.

Volunteer work- I'm way behind on my Students for the Family follow-up work on the Call for Papers. Why do I feel solely responsible for this? I'm not sure. But I do. (www.studentsforfamily.org)

Church- I haven't met with my committee in like a month. Sometimes I secretly think they are all doing amazing things without any direction or accountability from me. I'm just helping them develop self-reliance.

Eating- I'd like to have my own personal Passover and eat Vegan for 40 days. I tried this for real for Passover and lasted about 12.3 hours. And I keep restarting every day. I really do want to ween myself off of processed foods and sugar. And try eating more and more veggies. Hence the garden idea (it also came out of the Ensign last month people! We all need gardens!)

Family- I love my family. Love. I need to spend more time with my niece and nephew.

Write a book- I'm going to do it. For real. I've thought about it for long enough, time to make it happen.

Genealogy- I want to record the life history of my grandparents and parents. Before they all loose their minds. :) Dementia runs in the family.

Read Books on my night stand- I currently have 17 books I am actively reading. One day I will finish one of them and it will be tremendously gratifying.

Write- this is important. I need to blog, journal, and write more.

See, the last one is already getting done! Magic. Now that it's 2am, I really should go to bed and work on my projects and finals.