Book Ends

It was a rainy day in August, kind of like this rainy day in December, that I started my doctoral work at ASU. I was nervous. I was REALLY nervous. Feeling a bit like I was starting first grade or freshman year or something that felt like more than I could manage, I headed to school. It wasn't like I purposefully ignored the distinct and persistent NUDGE to grab an umbrella. It's just not a regular thing to do in the desert. Needless to say, I went to work without it, thinking the rain would subside.

It didn't.

When it was time to venture to ASU, it was pouring. Thank heaven for the gifted frog umbrella I use as an object lesson in my classroom. (Oh how I love the gifts my students give me!) Picture this: bright green, huge smiling face across the front, and googly eyes on top. First grade?

At this point I was giddy with excitement, considering this new adventure I was embarking on! But the rain delayed me. A lot. And I was late. Which deflated giddy and evolved to horrified. How could I be 30 minutes late to my first day of class? Something about feeling like an irresponsible adolescent rushing in, sticky, hot, flustered... to my life span development theories class seemed OK though. Appropriate.

And it was OK. It was the beginning of some pretty amazing lessons. You know the kind, the ones no text book or professor could ever teach.

And it began my next phase of academic learning. In fact, I think this is the most enjoyable class I've ever taken. EVER.

So as I was leaving for school today and had that thought again... I grabbed the conservative, black umbrella. It wasn't raining this morning but it was when it came time to head to ASU for a meeting with my professor (now advisor). And I smiled. BIG.

Because I've learned a few things this semester. And I love that I began and ended this semester in the RAIN.