Well, *that* was a whirlwind!

I finally feel like I have some room to breathe (unfortunately, breathing seems to be a bit more difficult as of today. I hope I'm not getting sick). It has been a busy month! I finished four classes with all of their projects and exams. Then I graduated. I'll explain the blur of events in pictures. That will probably be more interesting than all my prose anyway. :)

First we had an awards night at CanIL, the linguistics branch of the school. This is the group of graduates who are getting the same degree as me: Master's of Linguistics and Exegesis. Basically, language in general and Biblical interpretation. We had some seminary classes, but the majority was with the CanIL community in linguistics.

The following day, April 20, I participated in the official degree-granting ceremony with all of the graduates from ACTS, the seminary that authorizes my degree. I walked up with my hood over my arm (it's more like a sash that hangs down the back), received my diploma, then sat down to be "hooded" by two faculty members. It was pretty exciting to get the colorful sash. Hands down the best part of a master's degree, in my opinion. :)

 My parents and paternal grandparents came to Langley to celebrate and support me. We had a lovely few days together, and I was really glad that they came.

This dearie and I had to say goodbye to each other and we took a final picture with spring flowers to commemorate. We were always saying we didn't have enough pictures together. In the last six weeks of school, we remedied that problem. :) Danielle and I will see each other again, we're just not sure how or when.

 These wonderful people helped me pack up my room, get my stuff to all the appropriate locations, and bought me dinner - all on their last few days in BC. We took a picture in the front yard of the B&B where they stayed in Ft. Langley. Then I had to say goodbye to them, too.

I also said goodbye to the mountains as we drove through the final passes between BC and Alberta. Perhaps I'll miss them quite a lot, but it hasn't hit me yet.

In Alberta I first visited some aunts and uncles in Edmonton. They've been inviting me for a while, so I finally took them seriously. My first night there, we went to a junior league hockey game (one step down from NHL) and watched game 5 of a 7 game series between the Edmonton Oilkings and the Calgary Hitmen. Edmonton won - booya!

Then I spent a girls' day with my aunt. We visited, knitted, and re-potted tomato plants together. It was a fun day. :) She then took me south to meet up with my grandparents, and I spent a few days in Taber.

Before we went south, we stopped in the hospital and I got to hold my cousin's newborn baby! I stayed with her other two boys the night Ily was born. I think this is the youngest child I've ever held (32 hours old)

Besides hanging out with my grandparents and great-aunt and uncle in Taber, I also helped my uncle and aunt with their potato seeding. We had to sort potatoes so they were healthy and the proper side for the planter. It was great fun, the hours standing chatting with them while watching the potatoes go by on the conveyor belt.

Then I flew away across the big pond.

This was my face when I arrived in Amsterdam and saw Edo despite having a rough night on the plane. He bought me a coffee. :) Edo is like my older brother. He came to our family as an exchange student and we've kept close ever since. This summer I'm living with him, his wife, and their 4 month old daughter.

The view from my bedroom window in the Hague. It doesn't look so sunny and warm this week.

This is Julie, Edo and Mireille's daughter, whom I get to take care of until June when she'll go to daycare and I travel to France for a bit.

There's my life in pictures. More will follow but Julie is bored so we have to go play. :)