From the eyes of the undergrad...and other musings from this week

I must preface this by saying that in my academic work it has been some years since I have sat a proper exam. In the latter years of my undergrad degree and throughout my masters I generally had term paper requirements or essay exams. So, I haven't seen a scantron in about 6 or 7 years. As a result, I've been sweating the thought of the 4 exams that I will have to take in my 200 level Physical Geography course this term.
My fears were completely unfounded. This morning I sat in my seat going over my notes as the undergraduates filed in around me, I heard various comments and questions to the tune of: "did you study for this?" and "I feel pretty ready for this, I got about an hour in last night." Someone in my immediate radius was giving off a familiar and illicit smell so strong I thought I might be subject to a contact high...and then, a student sat down next to me and asked if the test was today. I couldn't help but smile. I studied a bit on Tuesday (collecting my notes etc.) and then for about 6 hours on and off last night and as I was falling asleep subjected Joe to various facts and lists...mumbling into my pillow about 4 factors affecting variable insolation and so on. Anyone who called to wish Joe a happy birthday yesterday also got a healthy dose of information about the atmosphere...I was a bit much. So, sitting there this morning, I figured I was either grossly over prepared or right on target.

I finished the test in 10 minutes.
So, there must be indeed, something to be said for my extra years of education and study "practice" ...perhaps.

I also had opportunity to bounce around research ideas and thoughts with some of the department's graduate students today, which was exceptionally rewarding and quite daunting. I feel a bit torn in two. As though I'm smiling and crying at the same time. I definitely have my work cut out for me.

In other news, the temperature and precipitation here has finally allowed us to put some seeds and seedlings in the ground, so we've transformed the front yard into a couple of odd looking dirt plots that will hopefully look less like a pet cemetery once green shoots start showing themselves.

We planted a few varieties of squash, tomatoes, lettuces and spinach and then also some bell and jalapeno peppers. I'm not sure how the peppers will do, we had great success with them on the east coast, but I'm concerned with how they'll fare here. We also seeded various flowers around the yard, and put in some herb seedlings and strawberry starts (which, if my experience in the NW is properly recalled, will take over the rest of the backyard before the summer is out). The snap peas and poppies I planted back in February are going strong, which is encouraging; hopefully we'll have some luck with the rest. In the meantime, I'm resisting the urge to pluck up one of the heads of garlic to see what's going on under the soil...watching and waiting for the stalks to show signs that the growing period is done.

...and from the tulip festival, up in Mount Vernon a couple of weeks ago. Beautiful, but a bit cold. We were lucky enough to be passengers on this trip and as a result, had a very relaxed and fabulous time.