Much Money, Practicum Pains, Great Grades, and Amusing Alliteration

Dear Friends and Family,

Just in case any of you forgot about my exciting adventures in college thus far, you can check out the archives for my previous e-mails. Now to get down to business.

Since the first semester of school went swimmingly, I felt that this spring semester should be no different. Though I was somewhat right, this semester went by faster and was definitely more interesting. Once I got back from spring break (half of which was spent in NYC), the school year flew past like a F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in transonic flight. In the last update I sent out, I had mentioned my thoughts on the whole singing ministry teams. It turns out that the group was a financial strain on the University, and they got rid of the team and likewise the scholarships. In addition, I applied in April to the Honors Program which pays almost $4,000/yr. Through my powerful manipulation of words and savoir faire, I was able to get that scholarship as well as another $2,000 scholarship due to my academic progress and a letter of recommendation. As you can see, God is blessing me in innumerable ways, and I hope that He is doing the same for each of you.

Onto the academic side of things. As many of you know (if you've been reading my e-mails), I was taking 18 credits OR 9 classes this semester. This turned out to be a great experience and not as stressful as I had thought. Four of my classes ended in early April, Contemporary Issues, Intro. to Education, Education Computer Skills, and Evangelism.

Only five classes remained as finals week drew closer, the horror! My theology class (with the most amazing teacher) did not have a final because we took it the last day of class.
FOUR TO GO....My piano lesson had what is known as jury. Basically, I memorized two pieces of music, went into the head of the piano department's office, played for him and my teacher, and they graded my progress accordingly. I dreaded this final, but he told me that I did "A+ work."
THREE TO GO...Old Testament Survey was the biggest joke of a class. The teacher was knowledgeable and interesting, but most of the material I had already been taught. The final was just like any other test. Boring! C'mon, challenge me!
TWO TO GO...Literature and Composition OR English 102 OR the bane of spring semester 2008. Such a bad class, yet it got me to think at least the way my professor does. I was extremely worried about getting a B in the class; however, I got a perfect score on my final. Maybe he doesn't hate me after all.
ONE TO GO...On the way home from Liberty on May 7th, I realized that I had a final to take the next day!! OH NO! Just kidding, I did have a final, but I had to take it online. I studied the whole way home and got an A on the final in Economics.

Basically, I got a 4.0 this semester as well. But would it had been as interesting just to know that instead of reading the above discourse?

Now, other things happened during the semester too...like surprise birthday parties, going on road trips, venting about how we don't have a theater fit for a University, and oh yes the best one...getting thrust into the middle of a musical because someone dropped out. Originally, I was playing piano for this guy, Adam, who was doing "Forever Plaid" as his senior project. During rehearsals I would help them out, yet one person decided that it was too much and dropped out. So, I picked up the slack and did it. It was fun experience and allowed me to help someone in need.

Oh yeah, when I got home I had to do a 30 hour observation (practicum) at the high school. I will let you know ALL about that in another post.

Hallelujah, the pain has subsided and now I have to get ready to endure another glorious semester full of papers, new roommate, stressful classes, and unending nights. That's the life of a college student, or maybe just this college student. Have a great weekend!