Another One Bites the Dust
Yesterday, I had my last final of the semester. I think all of my finals, save one, went quite well, and the one that didn't go quite as well shouldn't be too much a of a problem, because I had built up plenty of cushion from other things I had turned in during the semester.
The final I was really worried about, (Koine) Greek I, turned out great — I managed to get 95.5 on the final, giving me a margin of 3.5 above the threshold for an “A” (a 92 in that class). Now the main task will be holding on to what I've learned until the fall, when I will be taking Greek II. I've already let my Greek abilities lapse once, I do not intend to do so again. I'm not sure I'll follow through, but the adjunct instructor for the course suggested that we should try learning Latin vocabulary over the summer, since the basic structure of Latin is similar in many ways to Greek; I may just do that (as if I don't have enough to do!).
The end of the semester is always a mixed event for me. I'm glad it is over so that I don't have to be rushing around trying to balance everything anymore; for the next three months, I only have to worry about my business (other than any hobbies I might want to pick back up). I'm also glad it is over in that I dislike the last few weeks of a school year, it just seems to melancholy as things wrap up. On the other hand, there are a few people I really hated saying goodbye to for the summer — particularly one professor, my religion professor whom I've mentioned before, and one fellow student I spent a lot of time talking to over the academic year. I've never been good at goodbyes. I remind myself of an old Garrison Keillor skit from the Prairie Home Companion; I was going to try to explain it, but I don't think I can do it adequately. I should see if I can find it on his web site.
I'll post my semi-annual look back at my predictions for the classes sometime soon.
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Re: Another One Bites the Dust
To begin, you are a far better man then me in your effort to learn another language. I honestly believe God gave me very little in the way of gifts when it comes to learning languages.
As for your end of season feelings, I just had to share this experience. Studied with this guy and girl for almost 6 semesters. There were other people, but those two were the main people. Decided to do a few things outside of school once the semesters where done. Found out I had very little in common with the guy. I guess you put up with alot given all the work they dump on you (nearly impossible to do it all alone) so when you no longer have the “pressure” on you, and the real you comes out, people tend to go their own way.
To this day I’ve had zero contact with anyone related to my EE years. Its almost like I put me life on hold, entered school , did what I needed to graduate, and then returned to my life with the friends I pretty much had before.
Oh well.
Re: Another One Bites the Dust
Mark — Thanks. I think God has put me in somewhat of a neutral position concerning other languages. It clearly is not my forte, but I do feel called to improve my language situation (odd that the next post, a meme, led to more language discussion).
Thanks for sharing that story too. I think you are right as far as acquaintances in these kind of situations. Of course, I purposely avoid group projects to whatever extent possible… There are a few people I’ve met while taking courses, that I think I’d call genuine friends, but certainly far more in my past experience that fade away after the course(s). I was just thinking tonight of someone like that, whom I haven’t talked to in years.