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!

...and this is Tippy. He's been with us since 9-11-01! He is finally getting used to Lucy who joined our family in July!




...and this is Lucy--the newest family member! She loves to hang out under the coffee table and munch on my books when whe's not taking a nap!

Where do I begin?

It's been a while. (I think I have said that before!) I figured out why I don't post quite as regularly> It's because I have this expectation of writing something deep, profound and long. Well, after perusing a few other blogs, I realized that that is not really necessary. Given my schedule--I don't have that kind of time so I will have to try this new way.

Thepicture you see above comes from the Getty Museum gardens. When I saw that maze/labyrinth...it made me think about how similar it is to life. At times, I feel like I am getting nowhere when I am actually making progress. At other times, I feel like I am getting somewhere and realize that I am right where I started. Confusing....I know.

Right now, it feels like I am going through that maze at 100 mph. In exactly 37 days, I will be done with school and will be graduating with my B.S. degree in Human Development. This educational journey began back in 2001....one class at a time.
Of course, I am not done....I am going to pursue a Masters in Education with Special Ed. credential. I can't wait until I am done!

Then, in about 2 months, we leave for Japan! Yup...Japan. My son who's been living and working there is newly engaged and is getting married there. This should be interesting. My husband is going for the first time (I've been theer twice already)

So, this is it for now...got to get back to my reading for my last class!

Cheers...