9 posts tagged “school”
Yesterday was hectic. It was the first day of the Spring semester for me, which is rarely pleasant. I had to drop Business Law because the prof is, in a word, psycho. Yes, that's my quasi-professional opinion, thankyouverymuch. I had heard many rumors about this particular guy, so it is not like I wasn't warned. His ratings on ratemyprofessors.com are pretty heinous. Unfortunately, my original BizLaw class selection was cancelled due to lack of enrollment, I had to bite the bullet and take his class because it was the only other section that fit into my schedule. I lasted all of about 15 minutes in his class before it became abundantly clear that I needed to RUN. As far and fast as I could away from this guy. I stuck it out until the end of class, resisting the urge to jump up and run out of the room every three minutes, and hustled to the computer lab down the hall so that I could drop the course and find something else. All that was left that was even remotely relevant to my needs at the moment was Principles of Advertising. Surely not something a paralegal would need, but definitely a class that will come in handy for my business endeavor.
After class, I had Jonathan's 3-year well visit. During the doctor visit, we had to get some paperwork filled out for Jonathan's upcoming surgery on Friday. I might have mentioned it previously, but given how I've been so focused on getting this business going, I may not have mentioned it. While I could go reread my blog right now to find out for sure...well, I'm just too lazy for that at the moment. In any event, our little boy will be, as of this Friday, missing his two top front teeth. They're basically dead and turning this putrid shade of green. This is not due to lack of oral care, but from clumsiness. He's attempted to catch his falls with his teeth a few too many times. He will be going under general anesthesia briefly for their removal. What worries me most is not so much the anesthesia and the surgery, but how I'm going to deal with his waking in the middle of the night Thursday night and asking for "chokonuk" or "water", because he ALWAYS wakes in the night wanting a drink. Ugh. I hope he sleeps right on through the night.
The other worry is the pain. The pain part really scares me. I'm a mother. When my babies hurt, I hurt. That's what I'm struggling with this week.
In other highlights, our boy is now 36.4 lbs and 37 1/4 inches. He's almost matched his weight with his height! He's doing very well developmentally, in many instances he met milestones beyond his age. He talks up a storm these days. We're in the questions phase of three. Fun part of this phase is it doesn't end. At least I haven't seen it stop with Katie, and I doubt it will with Jonathan. We're also in that phase of three where he gets stuck on one food and wants to eat it. At. Every. Meal. Currently, he's got two favorites: string cheese and pork roll. Such a delightful combination, dontcha think? For those of you who do not live on the east coast, pork roll is a breakfast meat that is kinda like canadian bacon, but a bit more fatty. It's oh so tasty, but not something you really want to eat too much of. Jonathan would eat it for every meal if permitted. At times, when desperate to get some calories into him, I indulge him, but mostly we have to battle the "no, you can't have pork roll for snack."
Despite its myriad challenges, I must admit that three is fun age. While I could do without the blatant stubborness and refusal to cooperate (which we're knee deep in at the moment, hence our reticence to begin potty training), I get a real kick out of all the funny little antics for which threes are known. I only wish we could somehow download "social tact" into their little brains. Speaking of tactful antics, Sunday evening Uncle Mike (a/k/a "Monkey" to K&J) and Aunt Amanda (or, more simply, Nana) came over for Sunday dinner. Nana and Jon Jon were snuggling on the couch and Nana remarked "oooh, Jon, I see your belly!" To which he replied "Want to see my weiner?"
He's so generous. Lord help us.
A thorough update to come later.
Because I am DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After 12 VERY long, sometimes painful, years of study, I have finally finished my degree. At 1:30 p.m. this afternoon I emailed my very last assignment that was due to my independent study advisor. The paper ended up turning into a mini-dissertation of sorts (26 pages!) and the website, built from PowerPoint slides, ended up being 49 slides in length.
Without a doubt, this independent study was truly a labor of love mixed with hatred at times. If I ever have to read and digest another medical journal article again in my life, it'll be too soon.
After I hit that send button this afternoon, I couldn't help but get a little misty eyed. I then went and found my hubby, who was outside watering his obsession lawn. Throwing open the storm door, our eyes met and I said "Well, that's it. I'm finally done." He laughed and said "so does this mean I have my wife back?" I bounded down the steps into his open arms, and he hugged me tight. It has to be said that without his unwavering, unconditional support, this would not be possible. This degree is as much his as it is mine. I know he is so proud of me, but really, I'm the one who is proud. And blessed beyond imagination.
So yes, folks, this means I'm back to the blogosphere. I know I've been neglecting you, and I pray you forgive the lack of interesting posts over the last month or so. Rest assured, we will now resume our regularly scheduled bitching, complaining and ranting momentarily. ;0)
Saturday marked the last day of the Spring A quarter, so I'm down to the last five weeks of my undergraduate career.
Judging from the syllabus from the Ethics and Professional Responsibility class I'm taking, coupled with Case Management Methods and the Independent Study (which, thus far, the only thing I've mastered in that regard is how to procrastinate to the point of being overwhelmed), these last five weeks may prove to be some of the most challenging yet. Complicating matters even further is this gorgeous spring weather. Who the heck wants to study when it's so nice outside?
One might think, at this late juncture, I would have a clear idea of what sort of career I want to pursue. I had hoped that by now some sort of miraculous epiphany would have occurred and the answers would be clear. Unfortunately, I have no friggin clue what I want to be when I grow up. Oh wait, that's right, I AM a grown up. Crap.
I entered into this program thinking I wanted to be a therapist. I still have that goal somewhere floating around in that confused brain of mine. Then I realized that you cannot be a therapist unless you get licensed (LPC, LMFT or LCSW). In order to get licensed, you have to go to graduate school. Surely, I can handle grad school, but I'm already $60K+ in the hole with school loan debt. I made the grave, stupid mistake of financing the bulk of my education in the early years when we did not have tidy lump sums of cash to pay my tuition. And then when I got to Drexel, where the tuition is nearly double what I would have paid at a state school, I had no choice but to finance it in order to finish.
I know, I know -- no use ruminating on past mistakes. What's done is done. But, the reality is I have two children, a mortgage, a bachelor's degree, and a shit-ton of school loan debt to pay over the next twenty years. I cannot in good conscience dig ourselves in any further, at least not without knowing that at the end of that endeavor I am sure to find a job with the income to comfortably deal with over what may become over $100K of school loan debt. Now it is quite possible to get a fellowship or assistanceship of some sort, but such a situation would likely require that I leave full time employment, which, at this point, is simply not possible. We need my income.
The other options are pursuing a master's in Occupational Therapy. Or perhaps law school. Or, if I want to truly be a masochist, a Psy.D. or PhD in Clinical Psych. All of those options would require me to incur some significant additional school loan debt, even with scholarships or assistanships. I know I could not juggle any of those programs while having to work, take care of my children and husband, and not go completely and totally batshit crazy. Something would have to give, and that give would have to be working. Which brings us back to "we need my income." Commence the head banging.
So when anyone asks "what are you going to do now?" I say "I have no clue." Surely I may look like the biggest over-educated loser on the planet, but who gives a rat's ass? So what if I don't know right now. I'm just not certain what path to take, which is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because with this degree, I have many more options than I ever had without it. A curse because I am uncertain which option is the best fit for me and my family.
For now, we keep on keepin' on. The tentative plan is that I am going to take some classes in the fall at the local county college to prep for grad school. Part-time study will serve the purpose of deferring my school loans, and I could also get Jonathan in their awesome (and affordable) early childhood center a couple mornings a week. Then maybe in a few years I'll have had that miraculous epiphany and I'll have some more direction. But, for now, I'm going to make the decision to not make a decision, and concentrate on enjoying these young, tender years with my babies.
Friday night was the induction for Omicron Delta Kappa. Yes, now all must bow and scrape when I enter the room. (KIDDING!)
The induction was relatively brief. My bestest pal Kristine and her fiance Andrew snapped some great pics:
And here she is with her sweet fiance Andrew:
And she'll probably want to strangle me for putting this one up -- but it just cracks me up everytime I look at it ;0)
And then we went to the Melting Pot for dinner. Oh my heavens! Everything was amazing! Especially the chocolate/peanut butter fondue. TO DIE FOR!
Here's one of the hubster and I . . .
It was a good night. A good celebration, good friends, good food and a great night.
A couple weeks ago, I got an email from someone at school about being
selected for membership into Omicron Delta Kappa. At the time, I briefly
scanned through it, but didn't really take interest in it until it was
brought to my attention again today when a reminder e-mail was sent. And
then I received an email from my gal pal Kristine, asking if I was going to
join.
So we exchanged a barrage of emails discussing the possible benefits of
joining, what would be expected, how we're both spread to thin, blah blah
blah, neither of us having yet researched what this organization was about.
So I finally got off my duff (hah) and consulted the everwise Google toolbar
and punched in the name of the organization. But, before I did that, I shot
an e-mail to my brother, because he's up on all that cool academia stuff.
And then my jaw hit the ground when I found this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omicron_Delta_Kappa
Me? They want ME?
And then my brother replied that it's huge. And if he says it's huge, then
it must be huge. He lives in Texas, after all, and we know everything is
bigger in Texas. ;0)
So what exactly does this mean for me? Your guess is as good as mine. I'm
hopeful that besides getting to wear a nifty cord around my neck at
graduation, the membership will add a positive dimension to my resume and
future graduate school applications. Or perhaps it will open up some doors
for scholarship money for grad school. At the very least, I will make some
good contacts from being involved in the organization. Regardless, I'm
humbled and honored to have been selected for such a prestigious
membership. Sure does feel good to finally have something tangible to show
for all my hard work besides the mountain of school loan debt I've
accumulated over the years.
I know I got a little touchy-feely in this thread. Eh, a little fluff goes a long way I say. It's good for the soul.
So here's the latest on the recital/graduation drama. Graduation is at 12:30 p.m. at the Athletic Center on Drexel's main campus (not far from downtown Philadelphia) Katie's director informed me that Katie will perform at 4 p.m. that day at the auditorium at Rowan University's campus (which is in New Jersey). It's about 25 miles between the two schools. We'll have to hustle everyone around, but I think we'll make it. I'll probably need to have her at Rowan by 3:30. There is another school scheduled to walk at Drexel at 4:00 p.m. so I'm sure we'll be over and done with before 3 p.m.
I'm happy that we can do both events. It'll be a memorable day for sure. Plus my family coming in from out of town will get to be here for this family life event double feature. It'll be fun. I think we'll plan for a big honkin dinner here at home to celebrate the day.
Did I? Did I really just do that?
I just completed my application for graduation. Graduation! You mean
there's an actual end to this torture in sight? No way!
All kidding aside, I wanted to cry. Partally because I there are 24 more
weeks of pure, unadulterated hell laying before me in order to finish, the
other part because there is actually a bona fide end in sight.
I often hear "I don't know how you do it." Truth be told, neither do I some
days. I do it because there is no way in hell I'm going to go this far into
debt and not have that damn piece of paper with B.S. and my name on it. I
do it because the alternatives without a degree really suck.
But mostly I do it because of my family. They have supported me and
encouraged me throughout these last 12 years. Especially Shawn. This
degree will belong to him as well. If it were not for him, I don't think I
would have been able to do this. He has seen me through it all and has done
it all right with me. From dropping me off to class, to picking me up, to
picking up the slack with the household responsibilities so I can focus on
schoolwork, taking care of the kids, taking care of me (even getting my
books from the bookstore), to being the one who has listened to me rant and
rave and cry the big "I'm totally overwhelmed" tears. He's been there every
step of the way, tirelessly bearing the brunt of my education on far too
many occasions.
I know how proud he is of me, but the truth is without him, I would not be
where I am. He is the real secret of my success.
This post is untitled until I get enough caffeine in me to rename it something more witty . . .
The weekend went better than the week. Until last night. Katie got sick and threw up all over our bed. Then in the middle of the night, Jonathan threw up all over our bed. Good times. Did you see the post below that our dryer is broken?
But, this morning my sweet, handsome and handy hubby went to the Sears Service & Part joint in Pennsauken (New Jersey) and got a new igniter for the Neptune and came home and replaced it. Poof. Dryer is now working!!!
I really don't know how he does these things. I think he was the Maytag repair guy in a past life. How he can just figure out what is wrong with appliances, find the parts and fix them never ceases to amaze me. The part was a piddly $32 bucks. I imagine it would have cost a couple hundred easily to have someone come in and replace it.
So today, the agenda is to get caught up on the no less than 10 loads (yes, T-E-N) loads of laundry that have to be done.
As for the kiddos, they seem to be doing better today. I believe Katie's issue was she ate a little bit much for dinner and it just didn't agree with her. She was fine the rest of the night and INSISTED she get to go to school today. I let her go on the condition that if her stomach started feeling wonky again, she would tell her teacher immediately and have her either go to the nurse or have them call me to pick her up. So far, no call.
Jonathan seems to be doing ok, too. Methinks he had an upset tummy from dinner, too. He won't eat, but that's no different than any other non-sick day. I've given up worrying about his eating. For the most part when he does eat, he eats fairly healthy, so it's all good. He's just going to be a skinny kid. I imagine he'll be able to wear his summer clothes from last year. That never happened with Katie--she went up a size almost every season.
In other news, I am on a mad search for graduate schools. I visited an open house at Thomas Jefferson University this weekend with a couple of my classmates to check out their OT program. Their program looks awesome. It's a 2 1/2 year entry-level master's program. The downside is the curriculum is very rigorous and classes and fieldwork meets during the week during the day, so I would have to severely cut my hours at work to part time. I really don't know how we would be able to live on half my salary. So that's been nagging at me all weekend.
I then decided to broaden my program search to see what other OT programs are available in this area. I stumbled upon a master's in occupational therapy program at Philadelphia University, which used to be the very posh Philadelphia College of Textile and Design. The obvious benefit of this program is that they meet on Fridays and Saturdays during the day for eight weeks every other weekend. In addition, you would be required to do additional activities on Blackboard (online learning) during the off weeks. I'm no stranger to Blackboard -- we use it at Drexel already and I like it a lot. The cost is about the same as Jefferson. I'm hoping that with my honor status, grades and experience I could land a nice scholarship or graduate assistantship of some sort that would cover my tuition. I would still be able to work and live, and would only need to cut Fridays, still working the 5 to 12:30 shift Monday through Thursday.
I'm certainly feeling a lot better about this now. It just might be doable. Of course I would have to spend the next year getting all my pre-reqs done at Gloucester County, but the benefit of that is two fold: (1) going part time will keep my loans in deferment; (2) I could get Jonathan into their awesome preschool program there at the Early Childhood Center, which is incredibly cheap and awesome from what I've heard.
