Gone but not Forgotten

Hello Friends!

Don't worry I haven't left you.  Just because the challenge is over does not mean I won't be keeping this updated, I promise.  I have just had a lot on my mind this past week or so.  Such as...

1. Graduate School
I am taking two classes this semester and they started last week.  So far so good.  The pace is slow to start but as I've looked forward on the course calenders, I see that it won't be that way for long and I'll soon be very busy with school work.  Keeping up with online classes has also proved different for me.  Its not that I'm not doing the work.  Its just harder for me to keep track of all the deadlines and assignments.  I guess the whole going to class thing I did as an undergrad kept it all more fresh in my mind.  Also that fact that my main focus was school at the time probably contributed to this as well.  I'm working out the kinks and figuring out how to keep all the pieces (full time work, husband, school, home & social life) of my life in order.  I also recently found out that apparently at this particular university, classes become open much earlier than at the college(s) I went to for undergrad.  Unbeknownst to me, Spring 2012 classes have been open for registration for God knows how long and all the ones I need for next semester are now closed.  Arg!  But the chair of the department is working on getting more sections added.  I'm really praying she does so that I don't get behind.  Additionally, I'm still figuring out how the financial aid system works at this particular school.  I currently have a bill for the semester however I am supposed to have enough financial aid to cover it.  I just can't remember how this worked when I was at Southern but I really hope they realize I have the financial aid because I can't pay out of pocket for my classes.

2. Work Winter Bid
Twice a year, in my department, we "bid" for a particular work schedule.  About two weeks before we actually make these choices, "bid lines" are released to us.  These are all the weekly schedule's we can choose from.  People choose based on days off, hours and location.  This past bid, I was fortunate enough to get my first choice.  However that definitely won't be happening this upcoming bid as there are fewer options in the winter.  We "bid" in order of seniority, and yours truly is at the bottom of that list.  So I've also been stressing about that.  The upcoming bid is 8 months and takes us through the holiday season so its definitely an important choice.  Also, hubs' work location is being vague about whether he is going to be switching shifts or days off in the near future, so I don't even know what days off to choose.  I really don't want to choose the ones he has now just to have them switch him next month.  Ugh.  I'll be glad when its over. (About 10am on Friday, in case you were wondering)

3. Home/Social Life
For the past year this has been a struggle for me.  I really have trouble balancing taking care of my home/being domestic, taking care of myself and hubs and spending time with friends.  It has taken me about 3 years to really make friends here in Orlando.  I had gotten used to spending essentially all my free time with the husband and now throwing a few friends in the mix is a change.  Don't get me wrong, I am SO happy to finally have made friends with some amazing people here. And part of me knows that, if I'd like to maintain these friendships, I do need to go out and be social.  But at the same time, since I know that hubs may be switching back to 3rd shift, I want to take advantage of the fact that he's awake during the day right now.  Moreover, he is starting school this week so we will not see each other at all two days a week from now until May.  Its all part of my constant struggle with balance.

Don't take this as excuses or complaining.  This is just what has been going on in my life since the challenge ended.  I'll be doing some more fun posts soon.  I'm looking forward to finishing the Best Day Ever! Series and beginning the Newlywed series.

PS. Check out and follow my husband's blog: New World 

Thanks for reading.

Blog Challenge Day 5: "Back to school...back to school..."

The husband and me at my college graduation - May 2008

So after spending six years completing my undergraduate degree (due to transferring schools and doing an internship), I've decided to return to the halls of academia. Or in my case, my laptop. Ever since graduating, I knew I wanted to go back to school for my graduate degree but was really unsure of what degree I wanted to obtain. I looked into programs in the same field of study as my undergraduate degree. I found many programs of high esteem as well as cost. When discussing my prospects with my husband (boyfriend at the time), he asked me what I was going to do with this degree. He was concerned that I would not be able to find a job with another degree in the media field and rightly so. I graduated 2 1/2 years ago and still have not been able to find any job with which I would use my undergraduate degree. I researched a bit and found that the best prospect for someone holding a graduate degree in this field, in the current economy would be teaching at the undergraduate level. So I somewhat let the subject go. Because I could barely find part time employment at the time, graduate school was definitely not in the budget.

However after the all the craziness of getting a new job, planning a wedding and moving last year had ended, I felt that urge to return to school again. One thing I love about being married, is that you always have someone to bounce your ideas off and give you another perspective on any life choices. Also that you don't (and shouldn't) make any of these choices alone. After doing some research, presenting my ideas and discussing the topic with my ever-supportive husband, I decided that I would apply to pursue a degree in Non-Profit Management at the University of Central Florida. I am fortunate enough that I found a program that is conducted completely online. I get the benefit of taking online classes and therefore keep my full time employment - one of my husband's (and my) stipulations for enrolling in a program. The university being so close gives me piece of mind that if I ever need to handle any school-related matters in person, it will be easy for me to do so. A win-win. I was also fortunate enough to receive enough financial aid to cover the costs. It would have been impossible for us to pay for school out of pocket so this is truly a blessing.

So here I go! Terrified because the classes I will be taking will be very new and different to me and excited because this will hopefully give me a way to enter the field I have wanted to work in for a long time. I have a lot riding on this (mostly promising my husband that I WILL get a job in this field) and I'm really hoping that this will get my professional life back on track.

If you're interested in the program I will be beginning this month (yikes!), check it out here.

Thanks for reading.

BC5-8/3