What I did on my “summer” vacation

It’s been a good holiday from school. I was amazed that it took me about six weeks to properly adjust to being home. I had given myself two weeks at home before I resumed work, and I was bored silly. I thought it was ridiculous to have given myself that much time off, and that I had made a foolish choice. Ha. When I DID resume work, it, and the commute exhausted me, and I wondered what I was thinking with even returning to work.

For the first time ever I didn’t have a government client – I was doing training within the firm. I must confess that I was less than enthusiastic about this initially, but not only did God give me a job that was right up my alley, it was for the timeframe I needed, and with a team that I simply adore. He just wrapped that one up with a bow. It was in His wisdom that He gave me this assignment while I’m on holiday, because leaving was incredibly difficult.

So, I worked. And worked. Had the floors replaced in the condo (and they’re gorgeous – I actually like being there now!). My car died. Really. The computer fried, so it’s gone. God answered my prayers for a good snow before I left rather well. 🙂 All in all, it was just a good time to decompress after school, and generally get settled. I enjoyed school, but being back on cultural and emotional terra firma was exactly what I needed. I didn’t do a whole lot other than work and get reconnected here, but I think that was enough this time. Switching cultures like this when you’re not just visiting is actually fairly violent on the psyche. I was warned, but had no idea.

The academic wrap up from last semester is as follows: Theory and Practice of Mission: A, Hebrew: B- (and THRILLED!), Pastoral Care and Counseling: A, Christian Worship: A, Introduction to the Old Tesament: B (fairly embarrassed on my exam score), General Church History: B+. Overall GPA: 4.5 out of 5. These grades rank right up there with the loaves and fishes incident (to borrow from Jan Karon), and that was the easy semester. It’s tough being out of practice for comprehensive exams, but now I have ideas on how to study. I did teach Hebrew basics to a friend, though I fell way behind on the vocbulary. I’ve given the particles a break, so perhaps they’ll like me this time ’round.

I also heard from several friends while I was home (one of my favorite texts was “who is this Edward Kennedy who is reported dead?”), and it was great to keep in touch with them.