The Grades Are In

On my third week of school, I am proud to announce that I am maintaining an A average. Each week we have an Individual Project worth 125 points and a class discussion project worth 50 points. I have a perfect score on each discussion board project and 115 points on each Individual Project---only because I haven't named my files correctly when I turned them in.

I knew school was going to require a lot of time and commitment, but I guess I really didn't realize how much time I would have to put into it. At the same time I realize I will get back what I put into it, my efforts will be rewarded....just look at my A average.

My next unit of study, which begins January 7, is College Algebra. I am going to need LOTS of help with that subject. I may have mentioned before in this blog, my highest math class in high school was Algebra I, it was all that was required to graduate in 1988 and in college I took a math specified for elementary school teacher majors and it was very easy for me. College Algebra on the other hand is going to be so difficult. If any of you have a fifth grader who can tutor me I'd appreciate the help.

I recently took some pictures around the house. Roommate and I have a flower garden along the path leading up to the door. Neither one of us really have time to deal with a flower garden so its filled with gravel and decorations. One of the pretty decorations is a gazing ball, so here is the picture I took of it. When I look at the picture I want to say, "In your future I see....." Maybe one day in the near future I will get out to the Japanese Garden and take some pictures.

Until next time.

Times, they are changing

Well, I just celebrated another birthday...if you really want to know e-mail me and ask. I also started the second chapter of my education on the same day as my celebration. For a quick update, I realized my education was outdated and the best way for me to attain the goals I set out for myself was to go back to school and FINALLY get that bachelor's degree.

Well, the two events occurring on the same day made me wonder if there was some big life calendar that flipped over to the next big phase in my life. After all, I am recently (relatively recently) single. In the past year I've gone through a metamorphosis of sorts, I suppose in order to prepare myself for this stage of life.

If all things are working together to culminate this passage then it makes me think that the new year of my life and the new segment of my life has to be the outcome of some type of design...it can't be just pure chance or fate can it? And is fate the same as design?

And, if everything in the past has been preparing me for this segment of life, am I ready or is everything from here on out going to be a breeze. Have the stars all lined up just right for me to have good fortune for the next 15 or 20 years? I'm feelin' lucky.

Until next time.

School Days

I am about to start classes....FINALLY!!

I've talked about going back to school for a long time now. I always knew I needed more education but didn't realize that until I moved to a larger city. When I was looking for a job and having only an associates degree I was limited to the choice of jobs I qualified for. In a smaller town I was doing fine...until technology passed me by; another reason to go back to school. Maybe once I have the education in place I can find a better paying job with better hours. Working nights is hard on a social life. Of course, when I first took this night job I didn't have a social life and it didn't matter. Now, I've met some people and I have a more social lifestyle and working nights just isn't conducive.

My first class is Theory and History of Visual Communication. It should be fun and fairly easy for me. However, my next two classes...which run simultaneously...is College Algebra and Biology. HELP ME!!! I was terrible at algebra in high school and don't remember taking it in college.

After that, the classes get much easier. They include illustration, advanced graphic design, web design (which I'm really excited about), typography, multimedia and corporate identity development...that's where the money is!!!! Ka-Ching. If you know me I am not money driven...I just want to be comfortable, pay my bills and help those less fortunate than me (which doesn't include a lot of people right now).

When I'm done with this education I should be able to find a much better job. Although the company I work for is a great company. Not many places offer 2 weeks paid vacation available in the first year...not after one year. Also, the insurance was effective immediately and I was eligible for all paid holidays immediately. It would be difficult to start over...especially where vacation time is concerned.

If I had children I would tell them two things. First, get all the education you can...as much as possible. You can never have too much education. I know sometimes more than a bachelor's degree seems useless, but when it comes to you choosing a job or a job choosing you....I'd rather my kids be able to choose a job. Secondly, I would tell them not to take a break from getting that education. Don't stop to get real world experience, you can do that later. I know from experience that once you start making money, you will never go back to college. You get used to making money then you need to make the money and you can't stop to go back to classes, its a vicious cycle, so just don't stop.

I don't have children to pass along this information, so if you know someone who can benefit from my experience then pass it on. I turn 38 the day my classes start, the kids don't want to be in the same boat as me, you don't want your kids in that boat either.

One more thing, I would not be able to achieve this goal if it weren't for my parents. They have offered to help me however they can. After the grants and loans I still owed some tuition money...something I don't have. Thanks to Mom and Dad for helping me. I hope that one day I can pay them back. I am glad they are in a position to help me...they made it possible to continue my education.

Until next time.