Grad School

This is my final semester as a student. I graduate with a Masters of Engineering in May, and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I've been going non-stop, year 'round, since the Fall of 2004. In my reckoning, that is a very long time to go without break. So, I was looking forward to my grad classes being easier, or at least more interesting, and I think I was only about 50% right on my expectations. I'm taking 15 hours, but it looks like it's going to require a lot more involvement than ever before.

Don't get me wrong. It should definitely be interesting, and possibly even fun, but super busy. One class, Stream and Wetland Restoration, will be really great because we get to go out to a watershed for 4 hours on a Monday afternoon and work in the field on things we are learning/have learned. However, since this goes until May that means I get to wade into frigid water weekly until the temperature starts to warm up. On the flip side, the class didn't require the purchase of any textbooks, only chest waders...

To my understanding, last year people had to break sheets of ice on top of the streams to get their water samples/rock samples/etc. I'm hoping that does not happen this year.

Another class I am taking is Green Engineering and Sustainability. Again, this class should be interesting, as "Green" and "Sustainability" are buzz words currently. But because they are buzz words does not make them interesting. Being environmentally aware of our impact on the earth is something everyone should familiarize themselves with. I'm not a tree hugger, but I do think we should strive to be good stewards of our beautiful, if not screwed up, planet.

Alas, I am off to class. Wish me luck. Long days and pleasant nights to you all.