I added some pictures of our holidays spent with family. We had a great time seeing everyone!
We were so happy to have been able to go out to Los Angeles and spend time with the Koch family. Kari and Ryan were super hosts! It was a quick 5 days in the balmy 60 degree weather. However, we didn't have a problem filling our days. It's pretty easy to do when you live in a place like L.A. Back home in Indiana, we were able to spend a little bit of time with friends. But, we tried to reserve most of our time to see family. It is crazy how big our nieces and nephew are getting. It makes me sad to be away. However, my sister got us Skyping and now we can see my niece, Cori, whenever we want. 
Could these two get any cuter?
This week, Brad started back with teaching. GCSU allows new faculty to teach only 3 sections/classes the first semester. But, don't expect that to ever happen again. Most professors are required to teach 4 sections and that is what Brad is now doing. He added his Sociology of Religion course to his load. Of course, that is his most preferred class to teach so he wasn't concerned about the added responsibility. However, last week a colleague in his department was involved in a terrible car accident. She is OK and, we believe, is now home but she will not be returning to teaching for the spring semester. Therefore, a few people (including Brad) were asked to take on some of her responsibilities.
For me, I started back as a student at GCSU. It is incredibly strange to be taking undergraduate classes. Though I realize I'm still in my 20's, the age difference is clear to me. In 3 of my 4 classes, I don't think there is a single student who is of drinking age. I really think that's where the division happens. I was talking to my mom the other day and she said, "they always say it's harder the longer you wait to go back." The hard part for me is just feeling out of place and different from my peers. Though, without all the distractions I dealt with at IU, my study habits have turned around and I've found myself studying more this week then I probably did in one month at IU. I'm exhausted. Additionally, I applied for and was granted a job at the GCSU library as a student assistant. I will only work about 10-12 hours a week, but that may be all I can handle anyway. I will start in another week or so.
