almost one year later

So, I won't be winning any awards for keeping this updated. Unless there's an award for waiting nearly a year to post anything, in which case, I'll take it.

School is going well. I'm halfway done, received amnesty for my previous attempts at schooling, which brought my GPA up considerably.

It's been a heck of a year. I took five classes last spring, four over the summer, five this semester (fall) and am probably going to repeat that next year. I am feeling a little burned out, I tell you. I tried working over the summer, it did not go well. I would freak out about my school assignments, and make myself literally sick with worry. So, I quit the job. I don't know how people do full time work, full time school, and raise a family. I am simply not capable. But that's ok. I'm getting my finances under control, I'm making straight As, and I'm positioning myself for career that will enable to me contribute back to the society that is currently paying for me to go to school. I am going to try to get into an honor society, which will hopefully look good on my resume.

I still worry. A lot. But I keep telling myself, this will pass, and I'll come out stronger, and smarter than I was before.

Day 1

I won't be updating after every school day. But this was my first day as a student in school in nearly 16 years. I enjoyed all of my classes. Of course, since classes started today, I have to wait until Tuesday to experience the first day of that class. Of course it's the class that is actually relevant to my major (the Network+ class)

I also think I made the right decision putting the Office Class first. I think I know most of what will be covered in the class. (I'll still pay attention just in case I learn something about word and excel that I didn't already know about.) The Access section is the part I'm looking forward to, and of course it's last. :)

Western Civ looks entertaining, and Algebra is going to be challenging. :) Psych is gonna be fun. I was a bit worried about the 3 classes in a row thing, but it worked out rather well. And the break in between is long enough to get things done. (and when I have my laptop with me next week, the library is in a convenient location to my last class.

My experience with Unemployment is not as smooth as I'd hoped, but once everything's verified with me in school in the WIA program, I'll get back payments. Just have to wait for someone to call me, then I'll provide my WIA certification stuff, then everything will be hunky dory, and they won't require me to look for a job.

I am still nervous about the bill situation, but I have faith everything will work out, one way or another.

Take care.

About the view

So, I took a picture of the view from the bus stop at school. That
soothing water is one of the benefits of living in a beach town.

Now to other updates. My fees are all paid, and I am, in possession of all my textbooks. All I need now is notebook paper. I'm still excited and nervous. My first day is tomorrow. Just have to convince myself that I am just as smart as I thought I was 16 years ago, but more mature.

Let's see how that works out, shall we?

Introductions are over

So, now to the meat of things.

I have registered for classes at the local community college. I have all but one of my textbooks. (If I could get Rainy City Books at Amazon to ship the book I need, or even respond to emails, I'd be happy.)

I need a good backpack that will carry the large textbooks and my laptop, and my trolley (aka bus) pass. (Gotta save money any way I can. $25 for trolley is cheaper than the gas I'd be using.)

Also need notebooks, pens, pencils, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. :)

I'm excited about going back to school. This is my third attempt at actual college (fourth attempt at training if you count the Sign Language class I took via a continuing education program 15 years ago.)

First attempt - East Carolina - ran out of funding after the first two semesters. Was majoring in Music Therapy for the first semester, demoted to Gen Ed second semester due to more time in computer lab than practice room. I probably would have ended up in the Computer Science Department if I'd stayed.

Second attempt - The aforementioned Sign Language classes. The community college offered six levels of classes in Sign Language, and completion of all six and some independent study would have give me what I needed to take the certification exams. However, most students were just in it for the basics, so by the time I got to the fifth level there were only 3-4 of us left. Not enough to "make" the class, so it was canceled.

Third attempt - Computer Programming at community college. Cut short by a very bad car accident before midterms of my first semester. Between recovery from that (broke every bone in one leg, and one in the other), and my mother being diagnosed with cancer, I never went back.

That last attempt was in 1995. Now I am headed back to Community college (different state) for Networking Services Technology. In theory I will end up with multiple certifications (Going for Network+, A+, Security+ at least.)

I currently have two children, aged 13 and almost 11. I have a husband. I have a very large chosen family, and a supportive biological family as well. They're all just as broke as I am however, hence the need to find a way to pay bills while I'm devoting so much energy to training.

If you have ideas (that don't involve spam, feel free to share. :) )

Adventures in Unemployment

I am one of the many (9.8% of Americans - only counting people "in the system" of course) who are unemployed.

I am one of the few who doesn't want to run out and get a job. Instead, I'm taking the get my derriere to school and train for a new career route, in the hopes that things will be picking up enough that I'll actually be able to get a job when I get my A.A.S. and Certifications in a couple years.

How I'm going to pay bills in the meantime? Well, that's an unknown. I have a severance package, and I qualify for unemployment, and for the time I am actively in school I'll get a very small stipend, but it will barely be a drop in the bucket of what I was making.

So, maybe I'll try to build this up. Is there much of a market for people reading about a 36 (next week) year old with two kids who is becoming a full time student again?

Of course, I can always learn how to sling beer and try to become a bartender. :)

Does anyone else have any ideas for me?