Only one more paper...

Well, it's Sunday night and I have to get up early tomorrow. Mondays are the early staff meeting morning where I work.

I have my stack of research articles and notes nearby...I really need to make a plan and start this final paper. It's going to be 20 pages and is basically a mini-dissertation written in case study format. Ugh! I so don't want to do it....but at this moment, that stack of papers and deadline (12/8) are all that separates me from 7 long years of classes, papers, and countless hours of frustration , tears, happiness, exhiliration...and hope.

The sooner I get this paper done, the sooner I can relax....right? A friend suggested moving up the deadline on myself....(Yeah, right!) My dear brother gave me an even earlier deadline--This Tuesday....oh yeah! Although, from the seriousness of his voice, I think I best get started.

When you can, check out this song on YouTube:
This song reminds me of my young mommy days....when rain and rainbows lived in my heart.
(Israel Kamakawiwo'ole is no longer alive....He was very much loved....) http://iz.honoluluadvertiser.com/

I am determined to FINISH this research paper before I head off to the Thanksgiving festivities later today. The sun is shining outside....the rain came and went much too quickly. As I sit here--still in my PJs--I find myself looking out the window and looking at the VERY blue sky patches amidst the big white billowy clouds...December 13 is not that far off. It will ALL be over then....Wow! 7 years of blood,sweat and tears....(really!) Ok, there were some funny, happy, and great times too...but I am going for the drama...so go with it!

As I ponder my next thought, I realize that one cup of coffee is not enough. I think I will make some more.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I've been trying to set the Playlist in my blog and cannot figure it out!
So frustrating....(stay tuned!)

It finally rained last night! When I went outside this morning, the air was crisp, cool and clean....the ash smell is all gone!

I just hope and pray there are no mud slides in the fire areas....

I am off work today and after an errand, I will be back to finish my paper!

13...18...24...

No, these are not some magical Lotto numbers that you should play. (Although, if you do and you win, then, I would like to know!)

The picture above represents what I have on my desk right now! Well, I googled the picture by searching "stack of papers." I think my real pile is slightly taller and bigger!


My journey of going back to school to get my degree began in the fall of 2001. In fact, it was a month or so before 9-11. That year was a pivotal year for me. I had made the decision to go back to school and get my degree. Little did I know that this decision would take me this long. Well, working full time and going the traditional route wasn't pribably the best way to do it. Add in a busy family schedule and all the other stuff that life throws at you and you get what I got!

Tears, smiles, frustrations, joy, success, failure, fear, exhiliration, impatience, paptience, growth, wisdom, character, tenacity, perserverence, endurance, anger, love....just about every one of these words describes what I have felt in the past 7 years.

My pace picked up in 2003 when I quit my corporate job and took a part-time office job at my daughter's high school. It was by far--the best move I had ever made!
Even if everyone thought I was a bit crazy to give up the good salary and position I had at the time in a major corporation....but if you knew me then, you'd agree and say that the corporate life was sucking the life out of me...

I have saved every class's notes, tests, projects and assignments. I probably have most of the books too. I have a hard time letting go of things I invest so much of myself into...(this translates into boxes full of papers and notebooks!)

The past 2 years, I have attended Hope International University in Fullerton. This accelerated degree program nearly sent me off the edge a few times and--even as I write this- I am deliberately avoiding work on one of my final research papers.

Papers! Ugh! I have lost count of all the papers I have written....enough--if combined--for a few dissertations and at least one major thesis!
(Just wait until I start my graduate prgram next summer!)

So, what are those dates that title this post?
--13 days until my last class is OVER
--18 days until my graduation! (I am getting a B.S. in Human Development)
--24 days until we leave for Japan to go to my son's wedding!

What a way to end the year-eh?

Well...I best get back to work....Ugh!