In the end, the doctrinal defense was the best part! Tim and I have been dreading it for a couple of weeks now, but when it came down to it, I think we were so emotionally exhausted from the other part, that a simple assignment that didn't require much thought was nice. Even if it was somewhat tedious. My thought is that they want to make sure you're serious. Surely all of this paperwork turns some people away!
Tim is at the doctor getting shots for Peru, and I am here at home tying up some loose ends. There are so many. The hardest part right now is winding down at school. I've never really been good at closure. I remember the summer (1999) I worked at camp for 9 weeks. I met a girl there who turned out to be a "kindred spirit" for the summer- Caylin Spear. She was a great friend to me, and at the end of the summer, not knowing how to say goodbye, I just sort of waved, got in my car, and took off. I don't think I spoke to her for a few more weeks. It didn't go over so well. (If you're bored, google this girl's name. She is a one-legged surfing phenomenon. I'm not kidding.)
I'm not worried about how to leave friends (because I know I will stay in touch with them), but I don't really know how to leave my students and colleagues. I would like to end the year in a way that honors them and the time I have spent with them, particularly since I have walked with some of them for three years now. And at the same time, there's no sense hyping up what isn't there. Something to ponder.
