I ♥ learning!

I started college straight out of high school and finally received my associate degree after 6 years (rather than the commonly achieved two). What can I say? Quick decision making has never been my forte. While there are some things I certainly could have done better or differently, what is done is done and the hands of time cannot be turned back, but even if I could go back in time, I probably wouldn't. The experiences I had along the way, the people who have weaved in and out of my life, and the lessons learned, have all contributed to the shaping of my persona. Sometimes I feel a bit frustrated, like I am "behind", since most of the friends I graduated with (and even several younger than I) have a bachelor degrees and are now plowing through grad school, and/or have spouses and children even. It is often a daily struggle to remind myself that it is okay that my life is not a cookie cutter of a young adult in this geographical area. It's okay and I am right where I need to be, learning and experiencing the things that will most benefit me and I trust that the Lord will direct my paths as I look to Him for guidance.

Going on Week Two of my University career, I feel like a "big girl" now. Figuratively speaking, I gave up the diapers and upgraded to real undies. The night before my first day at the "big school", my dad gave me a blessing and I felt like a kid frightened for the first day of kindergarten. My mom wrapped me in a hug as tears quietly rolled down my cheek.

Lucky for me I have a friend in my same major and in 3 out of my 4 classes this semester. This helped calm my nerves greatly (especially because if I got lost, which is something I am famous for, then I wasn't alone! hehe). For the record I didn't get lost. Well, we had to stop and ask some students if we were anywhere close to the building we were looking for, but actually we were right by it, woo-hoo!

During these past few days I have become very aware of something: I love learning.
My classes are awesome! I am learning so much and my mind is constantly flooded with ideas and concepts that interest me and make me want to look into it further. It's really exciting! Maybe it's the fact that I actually have a goal I'm working toward now, or because it's a fresh new start. or probably both! In fact, even my Stats class is proving to be interesting (and I am NOT fond of math).

I feel really lucky that I have the opportunity to go to the University and learn from others, hear different perspectives on the world in which we live, understand my own thinking and behaviors in a clearer way, and see how everything is connected. I am also fascinated to see the things in our world that aren't working so well and hope to make some kind of contribution change those things. I feel blessed to have a loving and supportive family that encourages me to succeed and is there to help me, and for kind friends who check up on me every now and then and make sure I take the time to play and do fun things!

Sorry about this post being "Dear Diary"-like (I try to stay away from that), but I couldn't help it. I just wanted to share that learning, by formal education or otherwise, is WONDERFUL! I will try to post stuff I learn from my classes and find interesting (in addition to whatever random stuff I decide to put on here). Enjoy and feel free to comment! :)

Cha-Ching!

Man, life is expensive!  What a crazy week it's been...I'm pooped.

School just started. By the end of this month I probably will have spent more than in the past entire YEAR!  For instance:

 

Bought a car. $$$$

Got the car insured. $$/month

Title and Registration $$$

A few light bulbs to be replaced $$

Gas $$ (lookin' like one tank will last me about a week and a couple days.

Safety and Emissions $$

 

Safety failed which means I need new tires $$$

Started school.

A few new clothes (of course!) $$$

Tuition and fees. $$$$

Books. $$$

School supplies (like a calculator for my stats class, etc) $$

Parking in the visitor's parking because I don't have my permit yet because I needed to do my safety and emissions to get my plates, which I still won't have until I get new tires.)

Parking permit {I'm thinking of getting} $$$

 

Yeah.  I think that covers most of what I've spent this week.  Ouch.  And that's probably not too bad considering I live with my parents and they provide nearly all my other living expenses such as home, food, etc)  Yowza.  How do couples survive??  How do families survive??  It's just nuts.  Guess it just gives me that much more motivation to succeed in school so I can graduate and get a better job, right?

 

Goodbye social life for the next 4 months.  Hello new boyfriend named math book.

Wrong Email

Got this in my email today, here's a good laugh.......

This one is priceless…A lesson to be learned fromTyping the wrong email address!!!

A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter.  They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules.  So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday with his wife flying down the following day.

 

The husband checked into the hotel.  There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife.  However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realizing his error, sent the email.

 Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston , a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral.  He was a minister who was called home to glory following a heart attack.  The widow decided to check her email expecting messages from relativesand friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted.

The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

 

To: My Loving Wife

Subject: I've Arrived

Date: October 16,2005

 

I know you're surprised to hear from me.  They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones.  I've just arrived and have been checked in.  I've seen that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow.  Looking forward to seeing you then!!!  Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

P.S. Sure is freaking hot down here!!!!