Woo Hoo!!!!

I passed my defense!!!! Yesterday was the big day and close to half of my audience was my family, but it went well and I passed! For those of you unfamiliar with graduate school, my defense was a 45 minute presentation and then a little over an hour of questioning about the research I have been conducting the past few years. I also had to write a thesis, but had that turned in before I headed to Hawaii. There are some corrections to be made on the document, but aside from those corrections and completing my statistics class, it's smooth sailing from here!

Thought I would do a little filling in of the past month or so. I can't get the pictures to get into the correct order, so I apologize. The conference in Honolulu went well--I learned a lot and it was really interesting. It was also good to catch up with the friend I stayed with. It seemed like I was in Hawaii forever, but it was a good trip. The trip to Kauai was so relaxing and the trip to O'ahu was also nice, even if I was "working" most of the time I was there.

I got home on a Sunday, had a statistics test on Wednesday, and Thursday morning we headed to Texas to see Rick's parents. His mom had surgery on her hip that Monday and we sprung her from the hospital. We had a nice time visiting and helping out around the house while his mom was laid up. We also headed to the ISU vs. Texas A&M football game...it did not go well for ISU. The trip was fun and it was great to see his folks. Plus, I learned how to make sweet tea. I'm now a pro.

Fall has been very beautiful here (above is a pic of the building I work in on campus) and the weather has been really nice. Now that I don't have to study, I'm hoping to enjoy some of this lovely weather. My luck, it will get really cold now...

I know I'm missing all of the details, but thought I would catch you all up. Last night Allyson and I went to RENT and it was great! There are 3 original cast members on tour and one of them is one of my favorite singers. Ever. It's so amazing to see your favorites perform live! I'm really tempted to skip out of work tomorrow afternoon to go to his book signing. I own (and have read) his book. I also have his solo album. I won't say I'm obsessed, but Anthony Rapp is my favorite...

This weekend we're heading to my parents' house; my mom's church is throwing us a bridal shower. Rick has to come too so the ladies can meet him. Should be fun. This weekend is also the last home ISU football game and some friends are having a get-together they're calling Friendsgiving--I can't wait!