Graduation Day
Today is Hans' graduation day. As he was walking out the door this morning, he said "When I come back this afternoon, I'll have an M.A.". As if he's going over to the Stop & Shop to pick it up after school. If only it were that easy, I'd do it too! Anyway, he's a little bummed today because the college isn't putting on any sort of ceremony for them. Believe it or not, Hans is in the very first class to have no ceremony. No shaking of hands, no keg, nothing. They are mailing him his diploma. Which will probably join such various important documents as his commissioning certificate and his U of M diploma in the bottom of some dark drawer. Not that I should talk--my MSUM diploma is God knows where.
This has been a very pleasant year. If only Navy life was always like this, I would want him to stay in forever. We have loved having him with us every single day. We have loved having short work days, days off, no deployments, no inspections, no duty days. It's honestly the first time that I have felt that we really got to experience family life. I think that's why I loved being in the house...it was the first time the four of us had had our own, private house. We've shared walls since before Josiah was born. For awhile there, we were living the American dream.
Anyway, congratulations Kit! We are all very proud of you. If you want to go to McDonald's for supper, we sure can.
In other news, my ulcer hasn't started bleeding yet, which is good. The effort of trying to keep the kids quiet is making my hair gray. Daylight savings hasn't helped because the last few days they have both been up by a little after 6:00 a.m. We are thankfully situated at the end of a hall on the main floor. At least I don't have to worry how much noise they generate by running and jumping around. But I still have to worry about how much they get a gleeful pleasure out of shrieking. Shrieks of happiness, shrieks of anger, shrieks of indignation. At 6:00 a.m. I'm sure everyone loves room 101. Actually, there's a little girl kittycorner from us that's pretty noisy, so maybe that confuses people.
We're getting on. It's been nine days now, believe it or not. We will be leaving for Germany in less than a month. It's not so bad, living on base...Monday the kids and I found a nice long stretch of beach across the street from the lodge. Walked there and rescued starfish and threw rocks into the bay for over an hour. Last night I worked up the courage to go over to the gym. I'm such a self-conscious exerciser...I worry about being a klutz in front of everyone. And I did trip, a little, on the treadmill. In front of all those super-fit and macho military men. I ran over two miles. I have been wondering how far I've been going. I think I could have gone on, but I had to get back to the bunker and relieve Hans. Tonight I'm going to go back and try the treadclimbers. So...anyway, we have the beach out front and a gym down the street. It's not so bad. I've made friends with the housekeeper who is so sweet. She let me vacuum our room for her when I told her that I miss my vacuum. How nice is that?
Josiah and Annika are doing pretty good. I'm sure they're confused by why we keep staying at the lodge and why they have to curb their enthusiasm at all times. All in all, they are adapting. Hans left us the car today, so we're going to go somewhere, anywhere and play or look around or get some new library books. We didn't leave the base at all yesterday. And it rained most of the day...to say it was dreary is an understatement.
OK, got to go wash some dishes!
This has been a very pleasant year. If only Navy life was always like this, I would want him to stay in forever. We have loved having him with us every single day. We have loved having short work days, days off, no deployments, no inspections, no duty days. It's honestly the first time that I have felt that we really got to experience family life. I think that's why I loved being in the house...it was the first time the four of us had had our own, private house. We've shared walls since before Josiah was born. For awhile there, we were living the American dream.
Anyway, congratulations Kit! We are all very proud of you. If you want to go to McDonald's for supper, we sure can.
In other news, my ulcer hasn't started bleeding yet, which is good. The effort of trying to keep the kids quiet is making my hair gray. Daylight savings hasn't helped because the last few days they have both been up by a little after 6:00 a.m. We are thankfully situated at the end of a hall on the main floor. At least I don't have to worry how much noise they generate by running and jumping around. But I still have to worry about how much they get a gleeful pleasure out of shrieking. Shrieks of happiness, shrieks of anger, shrieks of indignation. At 6:00 a.m. I'm sure everyone loves room 101. Actually, there's a little girl kittycorner from us that's pretty noisy, so maybe that confuses people.
We're getting on. It's been nine days now, believe it or not. We will be leaving for Germany in less than a month. It's not so bad, living on base...Monday the kids and I found a nice long stretch of beach across the street from the lodge. Walked there and rescued starfish and threw rocks into the bay for over an hour. Last night I worked up the courage to go over to the gym. I'm such a self-conscious exerciser...I worry about being a klutz in front of everyone. And I did trip, a little, on the treadmill. In front of all those super-fit and macho military men. I ran over two miles. I have been wondering how far I've been going. I think I could have gone on, but I had to get back to the bunker and relieve Hans. Tonight I'm going to go back and try the treadclimbers. So...anyway, we have the beach out front and a gym down the street. It's not so bad. I've made friends with the housekeeper who is so sweet. She let me vacuum our room for her when I told her that I miss my vacuum. How nice is that?
Josiah and Annika are doing pretty good. I'm sure they're confused by why we keep staying at the lodge and why they have to curb their enthusiasm at all times. All in all, they are adapting. Hans left us the car today, so we're going to go somewhere, anywhere and play or look around or get some new library books. We didn't leave the base at all yesterday. And it rained most of the day...to say it was dreary is an understatement.
OK, got to go wash some dishes!
Comments
Bummer on the no ceremony thing. I debated about going to mine and, truthfully, I coulda skipped it. Even though it's a huge accomplishment, it wasn't as exciting as undergraduation was. Am I unique that I have all of my diplomas (including high school) hung on the wall?
I had to stop and think about MSUM? I thought she went to Mankato? Oh yeah! they changed the name, AFTER they carved it in stone.
I was amazed at your close call with that accident. Your guardian angels were all on duty that day.
Congratulations !!! I imagine that studying for your masters at Newport was a lot more enjoyable than your first degree. I would think that the subject matter is much more interesting. And Rachel, do you find it scarey that you have to vacuum regularly? See you all soon.