Exciting, huh!! :D Well, mentally anyway. I'm so proud of him. He has had a new course for the last six semesters. That is a total of three years and not one semester without a new course needing to be created. If you're not aware of college course creation - in Karl's definition not some bored, unexcited college professor's definition (not that there's any like that!) - it's a lot of time, effort, creativity, etc! Not only does he create each course with diligence and creativity to engage the students, but he also continues to refine and develop the other courses he is teaching.
The current new course, Mechatronics, is in the mechanical engineering side of things. Since it was his Master's emphasis, it's not foreign to him. His PhD and latest study and teaching, though, has been within civil engineering so this particular course has definitely been more of an adventure to create since it's not as recent material for him! His days have ranged from 12 to 18 hour work days. It's a good thing we have not been given kids yet - and one reason we choose to say yes to a new course now and not later.
Needless to say it's been quite the semester! We're still glad we made the choice to have him teach it. It's highlighted some good things for us to talk through and it also means we get the summer to play again! Yes, please! It also continues to give him diversity in his teaching and role within the school of engineering at WSU. With one year contracts each year as a clinical assistant professor, it's always up in the air what we'll be doing the following year, especially with state budget cuts. Always an adventure with Karl. Always an adventure living life with God! I love and enjoy being apart of both, even if both do involve growth and change!
As busy and long as this semester has been, there are two things that have been good to have on the horizon. The first was a work conference for Karl. In early Januray, we talked a little about me going with him. I was hesitant since I had already asked for spring break off in December (second thing to look forward to!) and was the next week after the conference. I am so used to throwing myself into work as a single - how can I ask for another two days off!? Long story short. I did. Big deal for me! I realized my relationship with my husband is much more important than my part-time work. I want to invest in my husband.
A sneaky plan began forming. I touched based with his dad and asked if I could use some of his airmiles to join Karl for the conference to be held in Washington, D.C. His reply, "That's what I love using the airmiles for!" Big smile on my end - I have great in-laws! I then had to contact the administrative assistant for the civil engineering department who did some footwork for me to get Karl's exact flight schedule - Another win! With info in tow, Dad Olsen booked my flight even scoring seats next to Karl on all our flights, except our final leg from Seattle to Pullman on our return home. Hurr-rah! A nice dinner with a decorated birthday envelope at his plate and VOILA - an early birthday present. OH! Did I mention it would be Karl's birthday on the last day of the conference and when we would be flying home?! An added reason for me to get the time off and join him! He loved the surprise.
And we throroughly enjoyed our time! A few highlights.....
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| All of sudden Karl is standing next to this sign as we wonder why....look closely....upper right... |
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| After a delicious finger-lickin' Ethiopian meal at Dukem's with Karl's buddy Amos Saturday night, we ended up at H Street Country Club for a little putt-putt and for the guys to enjoy a beer. Karl: "I'm feeling a little awkward." |
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| More eating ensues with Amos on Sunday after church at Logan Tavern. I was very excited about the "best french toast, carmel pecan sauce & bacon" - sounds amazing, huh! But first, Karl realized Donovan McNabb was waiting for a table too. Who? Yup, my point exactly. Apparently the quarterback for the Washington Redskins. Cool. Back to the french toast! I was told they had just served the last one. Mmmm-Hmmm. That's okay - the mango key lime pie made up for it! And then it was off to see the Cathedral. We really enjoyed our time wandering! Karl's conference started Sunday evening and he was there all day Monday as well....until we hopped on the Metro to head for a tour at the Pentagon with Amos. It was fantastic! It's a small city in there along with some amazing American history displays. |
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| Karl and Amos met at WSU, went to bible college together in Austria and have some funny travel stories of their time in Europe! It was great getting to know Amos throughout the weekend as we hung out and he taxied us everywhere! |
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| After dinner at La Tasca, a very delicious tapas and sangria place in Old Town Alexandria (can you tell our theme was to eat a wide variety of food not found in Pullman?!), Amos drove us to the Iwo Jima monument before he dropped us at our hotel and we said good-bye. |
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| The next morning was more "conferencing" for Karl and then we began the trek home. The stewardess' learned it was Karl's birthday and gave him a free digeplayer (or whatever its name is!) to watch movies on for our flight from DC to Seattle. AWESOME! We also received Alaska Airline wings. It was a big deal. |
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| Happy 34th Birthday to my creative, hard-working, full of integrity husband! |
Cabo. Here. We. Come.
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