Yet again I have failed to keep up with my personal writing.
The tides of life are so swift right now that it is all I can do to just keep afloat and ride out the current. I won't make any promises that I will right weekly, or even very often. But here is an update on the Watson clan.
I am still plugging away on my Master's program. I am now halfway through and anticipate graduating in December of this year. While that seems far away, I know that it will be here in the blink of an eye and I have just a ton of work to do between now and then.
I have my thesis hammered out and am beginning to run with the work involved. I will be writing the first several chapters of it this semester.
My thesis is about professional development as artists for general elementary educators. So, I am hosting/teaching art workshops for the other teachers in my school. It means more work, but as it is part of my thesis, I am getting university credit for doing it.
Last semester was super stressful! I was registered for 9 credits (which is full time at the graduate level) and working full time. Yes, I did get the Beverley Taylor Sorenson grant that increased my working hours. I had to write a "comprehensive exam" for my thesis; essentially writing out 15 pages of research in what others have already done in the field of artistic professional development. And I took a head painting class from the illustration department.
That painting class was the first studio class I have taken in about 25 years. I had never oil painted before (other than playing around at home with a couple of tubes, not really knowing what I was doing) and I dropped into a senior level undergrad illustration course. Everyone else in the class was an illustration major with a ton more background in oils. The teacher and my classmates were all super kind and helpful, however, and I learned so very much in that class! I think that class is what had me so stressed, though. There was a LOT of homework and classwork for a studio class and I struggled to stay on top of everything. I survived, though, and am ready to move on!
I would love to write more about the kids and all their adventures, but that will have to wait, as my mind is already wandering away. If the stars align, maybe I will write some more tomorrow.
