The Finality of Finals

Right now as I type this message, I am sitting with a power drill in front of me.

Finals are a peculiar time in school.

People start staying up all night. In response to stress, some become irritable, some become isolated, others become wired for action. This quarter, I can't help myself from laughing. Everything becomes amusing and funny in a very surreal way. I suppose it is a better alternative than crying or screaming.

Finals are also the time where students (I) look back and ask ourselves (myself) if we've (I've) been productive--have I truly redeemed the time I have spent here? Have I been productive? Have I used the time that God has given me wisely?

The answer is sometimes discouraging and disheartening. However, this quarter, I have been able to work on the same project throughout the entire 8 weeks. Everywhere I went and photographed I was able to add to the collection of images to be used. It has been a productive time here.

My work has surprisingly turned into minimalist, abstract images that look more like paintings than photographs. Who would have known?

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. With the exception of having to be away from church, it's been a remarkable experience. I am not sad to leave, though. I am ready to get back to living normal life again and try to begin to digest all the things that I have seen and heard and done while living amongst the French.

So, now I take my power drill and get back to mounting my photos for the show.