And in the end…

So here we are, another semester ending. Many of my friends and classmates are graduating and heading off to the great unknown. I should be one of them, alas I am not.

I have been pursuing this dangling carrot called a degree since fall 2002. I had finished my Associate of Science, Medical Assisting with high honors that June. I expected that I’d be working in that field for a while then work my way up into administration through time and taking classes here and there. I enrolled in an online program that took all my credits and guaranteed me a bachelors degree in 18 months.

I started off strong with decent grades then I had to take math, which I suck at, online. It was the first F I had ever gotten. I felt like the Titanic after hitting the iceberg--I was sinking.

I took a few more classes but felt lost and confused as to what I really wanted. Then life happened. I had to work while my husband was in the Marines so I took what ever employment I could to help make ends meet. I did work at the first duty station in the ER as a tech, but learned really quickly that I was not cut out for the face paced environment at 30 something despite being able to do so at 20 when I was in the Navy.

I also got hurt. It would forever change my ability to be a medical assistant. I injured my neck, upper and lower back and knee while helping to restrain a patient that the police brought in on drugs. I imagine he was strong sober, on drugs he was superman. I was tossed around like a rag doll. It ended my brief clinical career as a CMA (Certified Medical Assistant)

For the remainder of the tour of duty in NOLA I was assigned to an administrative position on a long term care floor. I was content there. I liked the work, I liked the hours, so I decided to pursue my bachelors in Hospital Administration and transferred to another online program that accepted all the credits and was very military friendly. In other words, if I was changing duty stations I could take leave without penalties, something the previous online college had a problem with.

Meanwhile, we transferred to North Carolina and I was forced yet again to take a job to support the family. Only this time I was a legal secretary. I figured a secretary is a secretary so I could make this work. I kinda liked the job despite clashing with the owner. I changed my major to a business administrative track.

Then life happened again. Husband was sent away on training, my son was sick a lot due to being in daycare and Katrina happened. All were steeping stones on the way to me being let go.

Despite the wrong doing in the termination it was a blessing in disguise because I found my voice in my writing and was able to find paying work in it. I was working steady with feature stories in various places and figured that I could keep that up when we returned to Ohio after the end of my husbands enlistment.

It wasn’t the case. I found it was more “good ol’ boys” club then anything I experienced in the South. I needed a degree to even get grunt work jobs. I was forced back to work to support the family by returning to my CMA roots.

I liked the job and it was a nice balance of clinical and administrative. I kept taking the classes and figured one day I’d move up the hospital food chain. I change my major back to Hospital Administration. However, as life always seems too, it happened again. I didn’t make it through my orientation or trial period due to illness.

I went job hunting for something around less sick people in hopes that I wouldn’t catch every cold or flu in the county. I ended up temping at a wonderful place as a administrative assistant. It suited me well.

I learned about the non-profit sector, something I had never had on my radar until then. I worked with great teachers and people who believed in me. Sadly, it was only a temp job. I was quickly hired into another non-profit though as I changed my major yet again to business administration.

I had a knack for innovation and office efficiency. I could see the big picture and all the little pictures in between. Unfortunately my life force was sucked out of me over a year and a half by a boss that thanks to karma got her just rewards in the end.

So, I decided to move to a traditional university. I changed majors to Communications because I knew I wanted to work in a creative or writing field. I had a natural talent for it but I needed the tools to get anywhere with it.

When I came to UA, I brought in over 145 credits, not including military and the fact that my AS was not excepted for any of my transfer credits. I had to retake my sciences, maths, humanities & speech, for what is now the 3rd time. I sucked it up and thought I’ll get there, I’ll cross that stage before I know it.

I’ve managed to maintain dean’s list for every semester I’ve been enrolled. But life happened…

Loans ran out, husband laid off, they changed my major around before I could sign my contract for graduation.

I fell in love with Chinese culture and decided that if I had to take a language now I might as well take one I can use and love. Which lead me to taking on the Asian Studies Certificate and adding extra courses.

Now I am here, the last weeks before finals. Wondering what to do next. I did decide that I am taking the summer off for a mental and financial break. I have my trip to China in 2 weeks and I can’t wait.

What I will do next August is still up in the air. I am scheduled for classes, but who knows what life may bring this summer. I am still at least 1 year away from any degree if I can go full time. I have 2 children that are fast approaching college themselves.

I hope that in my time off, I’ll get the fire to learn going again and maybe win the lottery to pay for it. I also need the time to take care of my family which I have sadly neglected during my full time schooling. And don’t get me started on the state of our house and the basement in grave need of organizing.

Plus, I want to read for fun again and write because I have an idea not a paper due.

I guess we all can dream, right…

It's been a while...

Its been a while. I have been up to my eyeballs in school, life, and trying to get to China.




I went from full-time student in Fall 08-Spring 09 and in summer 09 as well. In fall due to money constraints and the fact I was starting a grand adventure in Chinese I was only a part time student. This spring semester (sp2010) I decided to go full time again. Taking Feature Writing, Chinese 102, Chinese culture through film and American Film history 45-present. It turned out to be a lot harder then I expected.



I also discovered cabin fever can have a powerful effect on motivation, as does sunlight. Needless to say, I haven’t been as diligent a student as in my past semesters.



Some say I’m burnt out on school and I have to agree. I have gone full throttle for nearly 2 years taking hard course and pushing myself to maintain Deans List. It has been extremely rewarding but extremely exhausting. So to that I’m not taking summer classes this year. I know it will prolong my degree but it will save my sanity.



Now for China. Many of you know it has been my passion and dream to make a trip to China this summer. Our University has many different ways of doing via study abroad, language studies, and various culture trips. I was scheduled to attend a 5 week trip to study language. But do to powers that be above my professors head our trip was cancelled. I, and others who have been planning this trip for 2 semesters were devastated to say the least. Lucky I was able to be a last minute add to a culture trip.



On May 13 I begin a 3 week journey to China and South Korea. We will visit Shanghai, Xi’an, Kaifeng, Beijing, Seoul and DMZ. I plan on taking lots of pictures and video and hopefully writing about my journey. I am beyond excited and even did a dance of joy when my passport arrived.



When I get back I’m just going to chill. Well not completely. I am going to be actively writing again. I hope to be a querying monster when all is said and done.



I also plan on reading A LOT! I have literally stack of books to read. I want to get lost in them without worrying that I’m neglecting a paper or a study session. All for pleasure….ahhh I can’t wait!



Also, I’m going relax and spend more time with the family, especially my kiddos who are growing up and in a few short years will be adults.



Well, I have to run I’m going to be late for class. At least the sun is out today!



Until next time!

Yeah finals are finished for me! Now I can take on the undertaking of merriment and the insanity that it entails.

Yeah finals are finished for me! Now I can take on the undertaking of merriment and the insanity that it entails.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 1:39am


Yeah finals are finished for me! Now I can take on the undertaking of merriment and the insanity that it entails.



First order of business, my house is a f'ing mess. Now those that know me know I have housework with a passion and also that I have a clutter issue. Without condemnation for my short comings I need to do a quick prep for holiday decorating, cooking and possible unexpected guests because right now you can not walk through from my front door and make a b-line for the bathroom without numerous obsticales. So Tomorrow I shall tackle the main thru-fare.



Second, I need to get Christmas cards out. I usually am good about getting them out by Thanksgiving weekend but with learning Mandarin this semester had I written them they would have been in pinyin and that is not good for non-chinese speaking people. Part of this card sending process is updating addresses. What I am trying to do is figure out a way to get the family I'm now connected via facebook, myspace & twitter to give up addresses without being all "whats your address" in a post. If ya' have an idea on how to approach this please share.



C, I want to relax a little bit, soak in the glow of our well lit house and maybe read something that isn't related to school. Last winter break I read the Twilight series (or is it saga now) in 4 days. I was hooked. It was the perfect antidote to my first semester at the University of Akron. It was candy for my brain and I ate it up. Not sure what I'm going for this time but I have my eye on a few Amy Tan Novels. (Yes, I know they are Chinese themed and thus not straying from school but damnit I like Chinese themes!)



So in closing I wanted to say I will be (hopefully) catching up on some blogging and writing too. I have had a few amazing adventures over the last 16 weeks both in and out of school. So look for those in the coming days and weeks.



Well, I hope this isn't too bad from my first wave (hi everyone!) now to figure out how to get it to my blog.....

Slightly Bragging...Tallmadge Residents On University of Akron's Dean's List for Fall 08

Tallmadge Residents On University of Akron's Dean's List for Fall 08
** is me and my hubby~!!!!!

Tallmadgeexpress.com
College News
March 22, 2009

University of Akron

The University of Akron released its list of Tallmadge students named to the dean's list for fall semester 2008. To be named to the dean's list, a student must maintain a 3.25 or better grade-point average for the semester. They are:

Andrew Adams

John Anicas**

Shannon Anicas**

Joseph Arvidson

Christine Ball

Shawn Beham

Stephanie Bochert

Daniel Bolovan

Kenneth Boston

Roseanna Boston

Adam Bozic

Jennifer Brown

Adam Brugmann

Jessica Burton

Tyler Byers

Natalie Campbell

Marco Catalano

Matthew Charles

Amanda Clerico

Benjamin Cochran

David Coffman

Jesse Cogar

Chad Colledge

Christopher Collins

Florence Colter

Lisa Conti

Aaron Cook

Caitlin Cook

Dana Crawford

William Dages

Ashley Davis

Timothy Detweiler

Shaun Eastin

Brian Eisenberger

Shannon Erbse

Gregory Facemire

David Faris

Keith Faron

Margaret Ferguson

Kate Fischer

Melissa Fischer

Nicholas Fritz

Trent Gaither

Jonathan Gamble

Elizabeth Giet

Melissa Goebel

Michael Gray

Megan Griffin

Susan Gunter

Collin Haben

Leighann Haliko

Derek Haney

Donald Harris

Cynthia Hartline

Joseph Hartline

Megan Hill

Elizabeth Hinkle

Christine Hoover

David Hubler

Victoria Hunt

Vedran Ikonic

Jared Kelley

Matthew Kilway

Eric Kinzel

Jacqueline Klayko

Kristin Knapp

Carissa Knight

Adam Kodish

Kevin Kostko

James Kozy

Michael Krutel

Hannah LeBarre

Diandra Leonardi

Ashley Linville

Michelle Lynn

Gillian MacDonald

Nicholas Marzuola

Paul Mastran

Jennifer McAninch

Michelle Morgan

Steve Morgan

Erica Morris

Lindsay Mulhollen

Randell Muster

Ashton Narzisi

Cody Nicholson

Corey Oliver

Jamie Pace

Christopher Petrone

Adam Pifer

Erin Popa

Stephanie Powell

Matthew Raber

Sundeap Rao

Adam Reyna

Timothy Reyna

Katherine Reynolds

Adam Rich

Kara Rickert

Shaun Rine

William Rodeman II

Craig Rowe

Matthew Roy

David Ryan

Melanie Salerno

Mike Sasanecki

Mary Seaman

Erin Stemple

Jessica Sutkowy

Linda Tahat

Allison Tuesday

Andrew Tuesday

Nicholas Ursetti

Robert Wallerstein

Alexandria Walters

Morgan West

Jessica White

Jalissa Winston

Nicholas Wlaszyn

Andrew Young

Rachael Zonar

The Tallmadge Express recognizes college students who achieve academic status via the dean's list, president's roll and honorary clubs. We do not print names of social fraternity pledges. We also print the names of graduates, but we do not acknowledge college acceptance -- except into military schools.

The Tallmadge Express asks parents and students to check with the school before submitting information to avoid duplication.

Ode to 2008

Reflections:

Found new family and reconnected with other family. I had an amazing visit with my family in MS & LA and have had the pleasure of getting to know cousins and other relatives that I didn’t even know I had. All are very important to me and I am honored to have all of them in my life now.

Lost my job but gained my health and the ability to go to school. It was unfair in how I was let go and how I was treated before hand, but I have moved on.

I gained some awesome and amazing friends while at UA. I was very nervous about going to a big campus and being around people younger then me that I wouldn’t make friends, but to my surprise I mad a lot of really awesome friends. I loved getting to know everyone and hope to have them in my life for a very long time.

At UA I learned about respect and the value of communication. I am studying Communication so naturally I should learn about communicating, but I have learned more in my not text book portions of school about things like tolerance, acceptance, respect of all opinions, patience, and love of what makes us unique. I learned listening is a lot more fun then talking.

I learned that just because someone sucks the life out of you (my last job) that it is possible to get it back if you work at it and don't give up. I didn't give up and got deans list.

I learned that I am capable of reading over 2000 pgs over 3 wks if it is good reading. I got bit by the twilight bug and read the 4 books. Now I dream of sparkly vampires and hot blooded werewolves protecting me in the night.

I also learned that I want to travel with my next job. I have too much gypsy in my soul to sit still so to satisfy the urge to roam I will incorporate it in to my job search.

I also learned you are as young as you feel, so since I still feel 20 something that is where I’ll stay. I also accept me for me I am what I am and that is all I can be, flaws and all.

For 2009 my goals are:
I will continue the great path of learning I am on,
I will work on all of my relationships to keep them strong,
I will love life each day as it is my last,
I will find the open window even when the door has closed,
I will be patient for not everyone runs at my speed,
I will dance in the rain, play in the snow, and soak up the sun every chance I get.