Destination Mason 2011

This has been a year filled with stress for Ian. It's his senior year!  He has been busy with his AP classes, his Eagle project, working on fund raisers for an Orchestra competition and trip to NYC and applying to colleges!  He applied to his three favorites.  Luckily, he was accepted to all three!  He picked his first choice and as luck or grades, would have it, recieved an academic grant as well, to George Mason University!  Mason is located near the Washington DC area in Fairfax, Virginia!

Destination Mason!

We went up to take our second tour of Mason.  We were welcomed with most of the incoming freshman class by the pep band, the Green Machine and Mason's Mascot, the Patriot!

Since we were hounded to pay the housing deposit for Ian's freshman year, by Ian.  We/He was rewarded with a free Mason Tshirt and a bath towel, both emblazzoned with Mason in the school colors of green and gold! He's set now, he has clothes and a towel!

George Mason is quite diverse and though a large university, it doesn't have those huge freshman classes that people might think.  Though it is a big school is has small home town appeal.  There were a variety of clubs, sororities, fraternities and groups with tables to welcome the incoming freshman class.

 I couldn't resist taking this picture.  The trees were beautiful!! 

 One of the clubs looking for new team members!!  Ian said this one was right up his alley!

                                                   More of those lovely trees about campus

                                                               The observatory on campus!

 Now, when I saw this sign on the roof of the cafeteria...I knew I was at a college!! Love it!

                                                                       No parking!!!

 Ah, the beloved statue of George Mason!  Decked out in Mason gear!!  Brings back memories of Bing Crosby out in front of what was then Crosby Library at Gonzaga University!  Now the old Crosby Library is the new student union for those of you who are Zags!

                                          More lovely trees and some of the art that is around the campus

As we left the campus I told Ian, I naturally wanted a picture of him at Mason!  We passed this stack of "books" and he was all too eager to pose!!  We will be returning to Mason in July to go through orientation and register for classes!  I will officially be broke! 

Forensics State Championship in Harrisonburg, Virginia April 2010

It was that time of year again! Forensics Season!  Ian once again dazzled the competition with his gift of gab and not only did he qualify for Nationals, he made it to State! Here is contemplating his upcoming competition!!

Ian's category in Forensics is Extemporaneous speaking.  This means,  he is given a topic and has 30 minutes to research (through magazines and books and his brain- no computers allowed) and develop his speech that will be 7 minutes long.  No more than 7 minutes otherwise he will be docked points!

 While Ian competed, we were not allowed in the room where Ian competed.  There are mostly just a few judges and Ian said he would feel nervous if we were in the room while he presented his topic and spoke!
So, John and I took this opportunity to explore some of the tiny towns around Harrisonburg!  We went to a town called Dayton and I spied this sign.  Kind of made me chuckle!

 John found a very cool book store just around the corner from the cool sign. I found quite  a few quaint stores as we explored! Dayton is home to quite a few of the more, strict Menonnite brethern.  We did see a man putting his buggy away but none driving around town this time. 

 We checked back in with Ian...he finished the first three rounds....we wait for them to determine who would make it to the final round!  This is THE most nerve wrecking time!  Can you tell by Ian's face!!?? 

                      The rest of the team and parents wait...nap...snack...and chat....while we wait!!!!!!

 Josh, Taylor and ian chat a bit while we....wait!!!!

 Ian made it to the final round! He was off!!  He left to gather up the topic they assigned him and do his research!!!  More waiting!!  Last year, Ian placed 5th in State. This year just at the state competition alone he competed against 12 other people!! 

                      Josh and Ian! Two peas in a pod!  Josh and Ian have been buds since second grade! 

 Ian took 4th in State!!!  Ian auditioned for a position on the George Mason University Forensics Team! Cross your fingers he is selected!! 

 Well we figured out why the man was putting his buggy away!  Snow was forcasted!  We woke up to 3 inches of snow on the ground!  Here is a picture of the town square in Harrisonburg, VA.

 A cannon that John wanted a picture of In Harrisonburg. 

 Look at this snow covered field. Looks like it snowed in stripes!  It was the cut of the crop I expect but it looked pretty cool!!  Like God painted the fields cuz he got bored with just shaking the snow on the ground!

                                                    More of the area around Harrisonburg, VA.