Finish Line

"When God wishes to rejoice the life of a poor man, he makes him lose his donkey and find it again." --Czech Saying

Yesterday at preciously 3:15pm, I closed my books and slipped my notes into my backpack. I dogged earred the upperleft hand corner of my final exam because I have a habit of removing the staple at the start of the test. This time around I lost the staple during the test. To the TA, I handed over this evidence of my 3-month education on earthquake engineering and then walked out the door into the sun.

I'm done with school.

Lachlan fights back against the rising cost of oil

In addition to earthquake engineering, this quarter I have had courses on Personality, Leadership, and Negotiation; Structural Performance and Failure, Managing Engineering and Construction Companies, and Public Speaking. After the "sharp" analysis classes of the first two quarters, this was more of a touchy, feely quarter (if that exists in engineering).


While school is over I am just beginning to realize that education is really a lifelong process. Take last night for example. Michele and I went out to a dinner with our friends Jenny and Jin. I learned that even as a 25-lb man without the skills to walk, Lachlan can still tear apart and cause havoc in a pretty nice sushi restaurant.

Lachlan and Parker Clayton taking political sides in San Francisco

But baby chaos isn't the only thing we've been up to. Now that school is over Michele, Lachlan, and I are trying to make up for lost time and enjoying all the Bay Area has to offer. Monday took a ferry to Angel Island in San Francisco Bay and today we had a barbeque with classmates on the beach at Half Moon Bay. We are trying to soak up all the sun we can over the next few days (it's been in the upper 80s) because on Monday we make the slow drive back to Seattle. I've been hearing stories about the weather back home this year...these stories I hear...they're not good stories.

Michele and Lachlan "Machine-Gun" Johnson with Alcatraz in the background

After many months of discussion, investigation, and prayer Michele and I decided to head back to Seattle where I will take up my pencil and calculator again PND. I am really excited to be heading back. After sometime away for perspective it really seems to be the best fit for me and a place where I can still learn and make a contribution. Along with that decision we will be moving back into our place in the Central District. Since we have spent a total of 10-15 nights in the house, it will be like a new place for me and Lachlan. Michele's an old pro in the CD.

Michele and Lachlan soaking up the sun on campus

Like Ketchikan, it's going to be really hard to leave Stanford and friends we've grown to love but we are looking forward to getting back home to our family and friends (and cat) in the coming month and nurturing the roots we began establishing there years ago.