Well, I haven't blogged since January. I am assuming I was on some sort of a break or I had a lull in my homework. Most likely I was ticked off and needed somewhere to vent. This time I am relieved. I can breathe, I can sleep, I can take a BREAK!
Last Thursday I finished my 2nd Freshman year of college. In the fall of 1996 I went to college for a year and a half. During that time I wasted a scholarship that was awarded to me by not paying full attention to my studies and not attending the classes that I was required to go to. The only classes that I got good grades in were my legal classes and my music class. I failed math and had to take it again the next semester. I never went to geography class. I hated school, I wanted nothing to do with it. Money was what I wanted. I wanted to work, I wanted to have nice things and I didn't want to wait for them. While I was in college I made $15.00 an hour and paid no rent living with my parents. Who makes that kind of money at age 18 and what do you do with it? SPEND IT! I bought a BRAND NEW car! My awesome car had 4 miles on it when I bought it. Boy did I pay for that thing too. Then, I met this guy, I liked hanging out with him. So much in fact, that I decided we should move in together and I really didn't have time for school. I dropped out, mid semester. I didn't withdraw. I straight failed out of the classes. I went on academic probation. I could not go back unless I would pay it out of my own pocket. So, I quit. I didn't need school. I had already proven I was making amazing money on my own without it. Not necessary.
Fast forward 20 years. I had a complete life cycle. I had wages drop from 7.25 an hour all the way up to over 23.00 an hour! I was living an amazing life. Then, it all came crashing down. In one day, my sister, my father and I were all at a loss for jobs. My sister decided to finish her bachelor's degree. My father found a great job right away. I found a job. It was the most horrible job in my life, ever. I've never been exposed to such an environment ever in my entire life for such a minimal wage. Last year in May, a very good friend graduated with her Associates Degree. I cried during her entire ceremony. That could have been me up there. What an IDIOT I was! Why did I ever quit? Why didn't I just go back to school? Well, the next week I signed up. I was late to the game. I decided to get my degree in Info Tech since that was what I had such vast experience in, and I haven't regretted it a single step of the way. I haven't gone to bed on time in 32 weeks. I am over dosing on caffeine like crazy. I rarely see my friends, if at all. Some of them are still around, but I know that the real ones understand.
What was different this time around? I cared. I pushed harder and I tried. Sure, I could have just passed. It wasn't what I wanted. I wanted that A grade. The first semester came and went and I got all A+'s. I could have cried. Where was this determination 20 years ago? This semester came and when I was almost done I almost gave up. I had about 4 weeks left and I just about took the B's and said screw it. I wasn't satisfied. That wasn't me. So far, I'm pretty sure I've got the 4.0 but I have to wait for the teachers to post. Waiting is the hardest part. I was praised with high regard by my History Teacher this semester and his is looking to me to help him write HIS syllabus for him and help to see if the direction of the course is going the way it should for his students. I am honored beyond words!
So what next? I thought you found the perfect job?? Oh my gosh I have been blessed. I have an amazing job. I love it beyond anything. I never knew what I could really do until someone had faith in me the way these people do. My amazing boss and publisher are so supportive and have had so much help in me getting through this second semester. My co-workers are there when I have a crappy day for me to just vent to. They are all there when I have a great idea, or to laugh at me when my idea really just sucks! We are a TEAM, something that I haven't been a part of for almost 3 years now and I missed that. Finally, the puzzle pieces are falling into place. I'll be signing on for my sophomore year in August and then graduating in May. It'll be another crazy year, and yep I'll complain all the way. Get used to it, it keeps me sane. I'm taking you on this long and winding road of mine. It's the path I take to my fantastic voyage! Get in and come along for the ride, you never know where we might end up!
