one paper and presentation down. two papers and two finals to go. all in one week. honestly, i don't know how to keep an eternal perspective right now, though i want to try.

yet, at the same time, as i was walking to class yesterday morning, i realized how much i love being a "college student," and the study/social/communal living atmosphere, and how i'll miss this so much next year when i can't live with and next door to good friends, and can't catch up with people at the cafeteria, and can't have deep, intellectual, Christian conversations with peers at the drop of a hat. i enjoy walking to campus on bright, crisp mornings (though there aren't too many of those left before wintertime...) and sitting in lectures and learning all the time. maybe that's the perspective i need to keep this week...

autumn is arriving in all its fury this year...thunderstorms, flooding...and aside from all of the water damage houses and cars, the leaves are incredible and the chilly evenings are perfect. i wish that autumn would last months longer than it does here in the midwest.

the next week and a half is a period of midterms/finals for us. i happen to have three papers, three exams, and other bits of homework here and there. but it's going well so far, thanks to the disney music that's carrying me along! jade is getting a kick out of my musical selections. i just can't help it if beauty and the beast moves me!

one last headline in sarah's life: the half marathon is FINISHED! it was a blast. during the last few miles, it was a painful blast, but i'm so glad that i did it. i'd like to get better, though. they did take some pictures near the finish line that i can buy online...wow, not flattering. in fact, i can't describe the look on my face. it's downright terrible.