My Journey (click here)

I had an assignment this week that I thought I would share with you:

My Journey

Fall 2005 - I decide to go back to school. I have been working as a paraprofessional at an elementary school and feel that I could be a really good teacher. I never finished my degree and I know that I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I go ahead and get the ball rolling. I look into financial aid, request my transcripts and meet with a counselor at UTA. She advises me to go to TCC and get as much done there as I can. I have no idea where to start so I make an appointment with a counselor at TCC. While in the waiting room, I notice the brochure for "Women in New Roles". I ask the woman at the desk about the program and she suggests that I meet with Trish Light. She makes a call and it just so happens that Trish is in her office. I walk over to Trish's office and she welcomes me warmly, sits me down and proceeds to register me in the class! One of the things she said was "I don't believe in accidents". Apparently, I was supposed to be in this class! So there I was...ready to go...back in school!!!!

January 2006 - I'm nervous. I'm excited. I'm worried that I'll be the oldest in my class. I'm afraid I won't remember how to study.

Classes begin. I'm no longer nervous - I'm comfortable. I'm still excited. I'm not the oldest in my class. The studying will be easy - what about this Occupational Research Portfolio?!?!?!
From the first day I feel energized every time I leave class. I learn something new each time! The studying is hard to get in because of my family's busy schedule, but my husband supports me and helps out a lot!

February 2006 - Trish asks for volunteers to do a skit at the next Network meeting. I know I have missed my calling as a bad actress somewhere, so I volunteer. I meet with Trish and Laveria to discuss the skit. We brainstorm and come up with a good idea. I plan my costume and get prepared.

In the meantime, the studying is coming along fine. All of the assignments that seemed overwhelming at first are getting done. I am enjoying this class! My personal life is thriving as well. My husband and I celebrate our 20th anniversary. We have never felt so connected. He is the love of my life.

March 2005 - The midterm is lurking ahead. Have I studied enough? Will it be easy? Will it be hard? I study some more. I take the test (first one in 15+ years). I feel pretty good. It was harder that I had expected. I get a B. I'm disappointed but I am looking forward to earning extra credit by doing the skit at the WINR Network this weekend!

My first WINR Network - The skit is "Wrong Way Job Interview". I decide to go "Goth". I go all out with the costume...tattoos, fishnet hose, wig, leather boots - the works! I walk in to Billy Miner's dressed like that with my sweet little family by my side. We get a lot of stares. We go back to the WINR meeting room. I get a lot of stares. People avoid eye contact. It's weird but exciting. I'm someone else...but not really. The skit is a success. The speaker is wonderful. I am glad I went.

Spring Break - I have great intentions of working on my personal project, my resume' and working ahead on the studying. Instead, I paint my daughter's room, clean the garage and have a yard sale. It was a relaxing and productive week. I feel just a little guilty that I didn't do any schoolwork.

Mid-term slump - I need to get back into the groove. I am feeling overwhelmed. Too much is going on at school, work and home. PRIORITIZE!!! That seems to work. I say "no" a few times and "yes" more than I should have.

My Personal project is coming up. I want it to be more that just my hobby or a skill. I want it to be about my personal journey over the past few years. I want to let everyone know where I have been, where I am now and where I want to go. My husband helps me put together a really neat movie showing my work on VBS at our church. The presentation goes pretty well. I get nervous because I was afraid I would run out of time. I still get embarrassed every time the part with me singing comes up.

April 2006 - I turn 42. I love being in my 40's - I would never go back to my 30's. I am thankful that I got to be home for 10 years with my babies. I am also thankful that they are no longer babies and I have emerged from stay-at-home-mommy hood ready to live the rest of my life!

School is going well. I am starting to worry about the finals. I haven't been able to study as much this half of the semester. The kids have so much going on. I have involved myself in several big projects at work and it seems every weekend is crammed full STUFF (The FlyLady says STUFF is "Something That Undermines Family Fun - I agree).

I am very proud of my Occupational Research Portfolio. I have worked hard and learned a lot about myself. I thought I wanted to be a teacher, but wasn't sure if it was because I liked the idea of the hours and summers off. I work in a school, so I am well-aware of what I am getting into. The personality and interest inventories helped confirm that teaching is something that would suit me and I will be successful at it!

I am looking forward to tackling the rest of my classes. I feel equipped and empowered! I am also a little sad. I know that the rest of my classes won't be as fulfilling. I will miss the support of Trish and the class. I plan to continue with the skits and go to WINR Network whenever possible.

I know that I would recommend this class to anyone who wants to learn a little more about themselves, find a career or change their direction in life. This has been an awesome, life-changing experience for me!

The journey has just begun!