Wednesday, September 20, 2006

I AM DONE!

It took two years, but I finally finished earning my Master of Science in Information Technology degree from the University of Redlands. Was it worth it? Only time will tell. Would I do it again? Only time will tell. Would I like to earn a PhD? Hmm, it all depends.

For now however it is time to undo two years of neglected yard work and home improvement. There are sprinklers to repair, planter beds to weed and redo, a tree to remove, and crabgrass to fight. Inside the house there's a kitchen to renovate, a family room to repaint, and molding to install. Whew, maybe a PhD would be easier (and quicker to earn)!

Monday, September 11, 2006

Playing Catch Up

Wow, a whole summer went by I somehow I failed to make any new entries! Let me see if I can remember enough to be of interest to anyone.

First, Ethan started and completed his second summer interning for Lockton in downtown Los Angeles. He really enjoyed the job and will work remotely part-time for them during the school. Apparently they liked him too and on his last day at work as an intern they offered him a full-time position for after graduation. Hopefully he will soon make a decision on the offer.

Speaking of Ethan, he and Roberta drove across country to get him back to Seton Hall in time for his senior year. They left on August 23rd doing some site seeing along the way (mineral springs in Glenwood Spring, Colorado, Arabia Steamboat museum in Kansas City, etc.) arriving in New Jersey by August 28th. He is now settled into his apartment (Roberta likens it to a slum) and back in school. Of course he also turned 21 on Labor Day and is now truly an adult.

Spencer attended summer school in July completing two semesters of high school art. As art is a requirement for admission into a University of California institution this takes some pressure off in the mad dash toward college. From August 9th through the 21st Spencer traveled with his soccer club to England for training, competition and touring. He enjoyed the experience, but he’s tight lipped about what happened. Apparently what happens in the UK, stays in the UK. He is now back in high school for his sophomore year and the club fall soccer season began this last weekend. With two games scheduled per weekend until the end of October our free time is next to nil.

While Spencer was away in the UK we entertained our friends from Germany (the Weller’s) We started this visit with an American style backyard Bar-B-Q with plenty of friends, neighbors, and family attending to give them a proper welcome. Day trips to Los Angeles (the Getty Museum, Hollywood Boulevard, etc.), the local mountains, and shopping filled several days. The capstone of the visit was a trip to San Diego and a day trip to Ensenada, Mexico. Too fun! They flew back to Germany the same day Spencer returned so they never got to spend any time with him. Regardless, they’ve invited him to visit them in Germany next summer – what an opportunity for him!

Other than Roberta’s road trip with Ethan we’ve had a fairly uneventful summer. I’m pretty much the reason for the lack of excitement as I am just now finishing my MSIT degree (my last class is on 9/12!). To partly celebrate we are taking trip in early October to New York City for a few days and then off to Burlington, Vermont. In Vermont, Roberta will attend a conference while I make pilgrimages to Ben & Jerry’s.