Graduation

This last week has been a busy one. Started with Mitchell’s graduation, back to CR so I can start work teaching my first class of the semester, John heads back to Decorah to move some of Mitch’s stuff back and it is now the holiday weekend. I haven’t taken the time to post so I think I will do several posts in the next couple of days instead of trying to stuff it all into one post.
Today I’ll just share Mitch’s graduation. He actually isn’t quite finished as he has some language credits to get this summer. He’ll be taking German at the U of Iowa this summer. It is a long story as to why he doesn’t have this done. Partly his own fault but also several snafus by the college. He actually has a semester of Norwegian that he didn’t get credit for because the program didn’t get that part of the curriculum approved as part of his abroad program. So he has to start over with a different language. 
The good part is, Luther allows anyone who will be graduating in 2011 to walk at graduation. They only have one commencement so for those of us that have had our kids here we get that opportunity to see them walk. A private college education is an expensive adventure for both us and Mitch so I feel we deserve that experience. The ceremony is outside at the stadium when the weather permits. The weather was very iffy in the morning but it looked like they could get it in before the rain. Luckily the rain held off, but the wind came up and caps were flying. During the benediction there was lightning in the distance.
The commencement was on Sunday morning but the graduates had been partying all week. The seniors get together and plan what is called Seniors week where there is a traveling party, each day at a different house. Mitch’s house party was Saturday. We headed over there after dinner and here is what my college son looked like. 
Really looks like a grad, don’t you think.
Mitch and his buddies and fellow grads. All having a good time!

Luckily he looked better the next day, though still a little bleary eyed.
To say we are proud parents would be an understatement. Now it is on to finding a job and entering the real world! I think the day he is employed is when we will really celebrate.
Happy Trails.........................

Comments

  1. Travels with EmmaMay 29, 2011 at 2:12 PM

    Congratulations to you all!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jim and SandieMay 29, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    You have every right to be proud. Graduating from college is a major achievement for all of you. Congrats. And good luck with teaching your class.

    ReplyDelete
  3. RV Khronicles of KevelynMay 30, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    Congratulations to all of you. It seems each child's college adventure is different. To graduate is an amazing accomplishment you should all be proud of. Good luck with your class!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Time for me to learn to drive this rig.

Image
Trail at Squaw Creek park Yesterday we moved back to Morgan Creek park (about a 15 mile drive) and I drove the rig! We have always said that I needed to start doing this but I never seem to do it. The first year I think John just felt he needed to get proficient at all the driving & parking things before he had me do it and then we just got lazy. It was just easier for him to do it. Recently friends of our that we met in Tucson, John and Terri had a very harrowing experience that reminded us why we both need to be able to drive this rig. John they think had a seizure while driving, luckily not towing but still it is amazing that they survived it. What this meant is that now Terri had to do the driving back to their former home town Sacramento and like me she had not done much driving. She did great and they are now coming off the road and starting a new phase of life. All of John's test look good so far and we wish him the best and hope that it was just a one time isolated...
Read more

Three plus years of full timing....what have we learned

Image
Zion National Park,  Utah, December 2010 Harris Hawk at Sonoran Desert Museum, Tuscon Feb. 2011 When we left Cedar Rapids it began our 4th year of living and traveling in our RV. The last three years have flown by and we are still not ready to go back to a sticks and bricks life. We have traveled a lot of the western US but even with time out there all three years there are so many places we have yet to discover. This year will be our first going south and east, all new places for me and many new ones for John. I think one of the things that I learn every time we find somewhere new is how beautiful this country is. If you slow down and take the time you will find amazing things everywhere. I think the thing I appreciate the most about this lifestyle is that freedom to take it slow. BLM land near Quartzite, AZ in January 2011 Putah Creek, Winters CA in Jan.2013 Crater Lake, Oregon, fall 2012 Diamond Lake, Oregon, fall 2012 When we first took off we w...
Read more

The Urban Life

Image
The view from our balcony I have been thinking about this post for awhile. When we are not traveling I find it hard to sit down and write but I have wanted to tell you about our new digs and what living downtown has been like for us. Another balcony view We moved into a one bedroom apartment on the west side of the river in the downtown Cedar Rapids area. This is a brand new building that actually they are still working on. The first floor is businesses, floors 2 and 3 are apartments and floors 4, 5, & 6 are condos. We love the building. Every apartment and condo has a balcony that looks out over the river and the McGrath Amphitheatre. Our little apartment in this building is 767 sq. which, after living in our 5th Wheel for 7 years, seems huge. We feel these apartments were well thought out. The kitchen is wonderful. It has a large island (all  solid countertops - quartz I think) with a large sink and plenty of seating room . We started by buying 3 barstools but f...
Read more