The semester is finally drawing to a close. I took my last undergraduate final yesterday so I'm finished but Jeff has finals through Thursday...2 more after the one he's currently taking now.
We have been very busy this semester, so busy that I haven't posted since the first week of school. Along with being very busy, we have been very blessed. We have been blessed in more ways then we probably realize. This semester was taxing-emotionally, physically, and mentally.
Jeff has worked 2 jobs this semester. He started off working at the USU bookstore and Elements restaurant and a few weeks ago he quit the bookstore because he got an accounting job with the college of engineering on campus! What a great resume builder! He also took 2 accounting classes, calculus, and an economics class. He was a trooper the whole semester. As for me...I just went to school. Now now, I did take 19 credits of upper level courses, including putting on a Senior recital, and passed the Music content praxis! As long as I pass all of my classes this semester (which I'm not too worried about...) I am all set to Student Teach in the spring at Mountain Crest High School.
I will begin my student teaching each morning at 6:45 in Hyrum (a 15 minute drive from Logan). Scrapping the car at 6:15 every morning is going to get old fast in the long Logan winter. However, I chose this student teaching because it has a 0 period (a period of class before the official school day begins). Since I will be student teaching the 0 period I will get to leave class early. I scheduled it this way because the Utah State University Chamber Singers have been invited to an international festival in China this coming May! Utah State has been very helpful in trying to raise funds so this trip is a manageable price for all of us. There were only 5 choirs from the WORLD invited to the festival only 3 of which came from the United States-and Yale has dropped out already. It will be quite the opportunity to participate in and I am very excited for it. That did mean I had to go get my name changed with Social Security though. I had to get a new SS card, so i can get a new license, so I can get a passport! So, it is official, I'm Chelsea Andrus Curtis now. Hopefully I'll be able to find a job to work with my schedule in the spring to help cover the costs of the China trip. Depending on funds and assistant-ships I may be starting graduate school here at Utah State in the fall in Choral conducting. The program is being instated this fall so the timing is working out perfectly if everything else works out....
As for Jeff next semester he will keep plugging through his accounting program with his 2 current jobs. He's taken a little bit easier class load though and has a very ambitious plan to get up with me before 6 am every morning to go to the gym.
As for now Jeff is trying to make it through finals week alive and I'm gearing us up for our trip to Virginia next week. Being able to go back and be with my family for a few weeks will be the best reward I could ask for after this semester, and in reality, this college career! I love and miss my family everyday and I'm so grateful for their constant support. My In-laws have been a fabulous support to Jeff and I too. They have been so good to come to all my performances and always help me feel of their love. I'm glad to know I have a second family so close when mine is so far away.
As for the senior recital, it went better then I could have imagined. My biggest problem is always me getting in the way of myself, and that night, I just sang and had fun and it couldn't have been a better experience. I'm grateful for all those who came out to support, and for those who couldn't make it I have it recorded if you'd like to see it.
I'm also grateful for my great ward. I'm really starting to get to know so great people and families and it's been really fun! I love to watch all the 6-12 month old kids in church....although it makes it harder to stay focused on what's being taught. :D
Speaking of babies- I'm very excited that Kami will be joining us this week. My sister in-law is being induced on Friday and I'm very excited to be an aunt x3! It's a very exciting time of year for Jeff and I with Christmas, and the semester ending, and a new niece!
I'm going to try to be much better about updating the blog next semester. Hopefully things will be a little less crazy. But, if I could sum up the semester this is what I would say:
We worked hard, we prayed harder, and we were VERY blessed.
With Love,
The Curtis Family
