Time to Get On With It.

May 1986. I graduated from high school. But due to some snafu's with an idiot guidance counselor, I and several other New Mexico students didn't get our out-of-state waivers for attending Eastern Arizona College. I lived 2 miles across the border in Virden NM, and Virden students get a waiver to attend EA as resident students automatically. If they apply. We were never told about the application process, As a result,my fees were exorbitant for the semester, and I was only able to take TWO classes. This is the part where I blame others.

Now the part where I blame myself. I didn't have a good relationship with my father at the time. And him paying for my education was getting uncomfortable to say the least. He was doing it.....but I was really having to swallow my pride and take a lot of CRAP. So, at the end of my first semester of college, with 5 whole credits under my belt.....I decided to move to Phoenix. I thought I would get a job and put myself through school.

I realized too late, that supporting oneself, doesn't leave any time or money for classes. I should mention here, that my father made too much money for me to qualify for financial aid. So, I did a really really REALLY dumb thing. I gave up.

Move up now to March 1989. I get the news that I am pregnant. Unmarried, living with a disturbed man that I don't want to be with, and pregnant. Going back to school just wasn't going to happen.

Fast forward to September 1997. I decide to give distance learning a try. I take two classes which I then drop to one. You see, I had a newborn Daisy at this point. I get video cassettes and email my completed assignments in. In spite of the fact that I got A's on all assignments, and an unbelievable 100% on my midterm (history is MY subject), I have to withdraw from the class because my baby and young children need more of my time. So, once again....I gave up.

I have been promising myself for years I would try again. Well, today, I DID IT!. I enrolled in college. Just 3 courses to get me into the swing of it. There is a community college here that offers alternative learning, and degree programs. I am doing the online elementary education program. I can get my AA, and then all of the credits transfer to another online school where I can get my BA. Will school's seeking teachers honor this as a real degree you ask? I think so. There is a huge teacher shortage in my state. The state has been offering 6 week courses and teaching certificates to anyone who wants to take the course and already has a BA in ANY subject. I think they will take me and my online degree. Also, because of staggered start. I can do this in less than 4 years.

I will be over forty when I am done. But you know what? I don't care. I have wanted to be a teacher forever. And I am going to do it. And furthermore....I will be very good at it. I know this. I have worked with kids at church and doing my own daycare for years. It's something I love. And, if you can do something that you love, there is no better career.

Wish me luck.