Another Semester Down

Clearly I am not doing so well keeping this blog up to date - it's unfortunate since so much happens in a week.

I just recv my grades for Spring 07 & they are nice but not exactly what I had hoped for.
A- in French & Computer Programming, B+ in Elementary Functions & Operating Systems & B in 17th Century Art. So that is 5 more classes towards my goal. So far since last August I have completed 11 courses & I'm currently enrolled in 4 over summer sessions. Moving right along

Phew, it's hard to keep up with this blog - but I must make sure I chronicle my experience here.

I had my first RA meeting tonight, I think it went well. Now I have to prepare a program for February. Mind you I have children as well as adults on my floor so I need to include everyone. This should be fun and exciting. I'm thinking of having a "bake your mom cupcakes" day. I'll work on that some more this weekend.

I also had my first student government meeting this past Tuesday, it went alright. Not too many issues as of yet, but I'm sure the problem will start rolling in as soon as the students realize we are back in session.

Work Study - I left work behind because I didn't want to have the pressures of work on my mind when I left the office. I am starting to feel that way about my work study, they have grown to trust and give me work to complete on my own, The only issue is that these assignments have deadlines and I only work 3 to 5 hours a week. I actually found myself contemplating on taking the work home with me "am I crazy?" I need to step back and just complete the work that I can during the time I have. I must remember that I am here first for school and nothing else. I need to not be so efficient (ha ha).

My classes started this past week and I'm back in the full swing of it all over again, homework, reading, assignments and research. I love it! I can see myself turning into a professional student - maybe I'll just stay in school until I obtain my PhD.

Who knows??

The Additions to the Cost of Education


I'm referring to my books. I broke down today and decided to get them. Now I would have loved to shop around, look for the best price and haggle if I could. I didn't have that option since I have no available funds to me- I needed to charge them to my student account.

Grand total $335.50 ( this is better than most)

There isn't much I can say on this subject except that I have no choice in the matter, if I weren't in school I would be spending the same amount in junk that I probably didn't need anyway - at least this way. I get an education.


Food stamp update-I spoke with the local office supervisor and she retrained her personnel on the ins and outs of whom qualifies and who doesn't. I had to submit one more sheet to plead my case - but I should be all set in about a week or so.

Food Stamps

Ok, I held out for a long time without requesting any government assistance( well I did financial aid). I receive support every 2 weeks so I thought we would be okay( ok, so I didn't qualify). We were doing just alright - but I realized something during the end of December and now January. I truly depended on the dinning hall to provide all of our meals. Now normally it does just that - I can get full breakfast, lunch and dinner. Unfortunately for me, the dinning hall was closed on December 15th. The last meal was dinner - the impact didn't hit me right away - because I went to visit and stayed with a friend in DC (and he went grocery shopping to feed my babes and I).

So I've been back to campus since around Christmas time and I've been cheffing it up since , but damn - I actually had to buy food. Ick!

So, I'm looking at these other Moms who keep using this damn card and they are eating like Kings! Um, how can I be down? Aren't we all in the same boat? So I thought! So I went through the ordeal of applying for food assistance. I went in there and supplied them with everything they needed to know about us.

So I waited and waited and finally on Thursday I receive my letter - but the envelope was a bit thin. So, I knew that couldn't be good. The freaking letter tells me that I don't qualify for food assistance because I am on the college meal plan full time. Now, when I sat with the simpleton - I told him that the dinning hall is closed for 1/2 of December and most of January. What the hell did he do wrong?

So now, I filed an appeal and waiting for my turn to tell the people exactly what I told them before. Wish me luck! My little money can only get me so far.

New Layout

I've made some changes to my blog - if you've been here before then you will have noticed. I'm still getting used to the new layout...while I was making changes and re reading some of my previous post, something came to me. One, I'm not consistent with my postings - but another that's more than that one. There isn't anything in here that talks about the bad or hard times that I'm having & believe you me - there have been a few...

So I need to do a much better job of being realistic with these postings at least for myself anyway...

First week of classes down, not so bad - this school is pretty simple if you stay on top of it. I've made some changes for the new year - OK, I'm going to try it for a month first. No more Television. I just watched way to much. I figured if I weren't spending so much time on TV - I might have earned better grades. I know the ones I received are pretty good - but if I can do better - I'm going to try. Yes, I'm a bit of an overachiever.

So far my daughter hasn't even missed the television, kids really just follow your lead. We have been having a nice time reading more books and doing allot of outside activity. I wasn't the "let's go outside to play catch type" but it's not that bad and were exercising together... so far no TV is proving to be good for her and I.

Ok, mini- mesters sound nice and easy but they are anything but. The workload is the same and you only have a little bit of time to get everything done. That is why I am so grateful to be here where I don't have to concern myself with work & bills. I thank God for this opportunity everyday.

Can we talk about this weather - it's lovely just lovely. It's January 6, 2007 and I am wearing flip flops! I dropped my daughter at dancing school this morning and took a walk to truly appreciate this weather. I know people who concern themselves with the ozone layers are having a hard time with our current temperatures - but I am loving this 60 degree weather in January. This only adds to my current great attitude :)

Now that I eliminated TV, I need to work on cutting down my computer surfing - maybe for 2009

It's a new year with new beginnings! I'm looking forward to it...it's also Haiti's Independence Day...

I spent my day cleaning out my daughter's closest and getting rid of all her old outgrown clothes and making it nice and neat for. Sometimes cleaning and organizing can be therapeutic. Especially when you do it on your own time. Tomorrow is the beginning of classes again, well at least just one class. It's the January semester and I'm taking one class starting at 9am ending at 12pm Monday through Friday. My class will end on 1/19 and then Spring semester begins on 1/22. In order to get all that I want out of my college experience, I have to keep going - whenever school is offering classes, God willing, I will be taking them.

I have to take a health class, it's only worth half a course credit, but it's required for graduation. I hear it's a killing course and the professor expects allot. I'm looking forward to it.

Well, to new beginnings..

Even though I am in school full time, I remain a full time mother. I am still extremely concerned with the education that my daughter is going to receive. She is now five years old and since she missed the cut off date - she will be attending kindergarten this coming September. Although I have this great opportunity to complete my education while having her with me; the public school system here isn't exactly what I dream of. It's not horrible but it's certainly not cutting edge. I'm that kind of mom that would move to be in the "right" school district - but I can't do that now. So these are the choices that I am faced with right now:

Catholic school: I went to a catholic school from three years old till thirteen years old. I do want her to get the religion education as well as a good general education. The school I'm looking at is having an open house the last weekend in January, and I plan on being there. Also, this school comes with a tuition and did I mention that I am unemployed

Montessori Education: I am a huge fan of Montessori schools, at least the ones that follow the Maria Montessori philosophy. My daughter would excel in this type of environment - she needs that independent learning time and ability to continue on when she's ready and not when the teacher is ready. Once again, these schools come with fees and just in case you forgot - I am completely unemployed.

Public School: Now with this, there is no fee - but in life remember you get what you pay for. The school that is the closest doesn't offer full day kindergarten and my daughter is going to full day kindergarten. There is one that isn't too far away but I will need to drop her off and pick her up - which means that my schedule will have to work around hers. With my school being as small as it is, and our rotation of classes not being so hot - this might become an issue...but this will be something that I will have to work with...

The challenges of being a parent and she's only five - what's going to happen next? Parents always thinking and plotting... I am currently making my pros and cons list for these options and also looking into other options...

If anyone has any reccomendations - please let me know

I spent my entire day looking into Graduate schools. I know Graduate School is years away but I am getting extremely anxious about it. I just know that going to grad school will help me land the job and salary that I am aiming for. Nothing much else going on - still can't wait for school to start again.

It's been awhile! I've been caught up with life and school and I seem to have neglected my blog, my little report to the world. Well I'm back! I need to chronicle my life if not for me, for anyone who can learn from my experience.

So what's going on? We, my daughter and I are currently on break from school. We both start again next week Tuesday ( I am so looking forward to it). My last day of classes and finals were on December 15th. Currently, if school is out of session for us moms - then the kiddies don't have childcare either. I personally don't care much for interrupting my babe's schedule especially at the age of 5. I do have to admit that it's a small price to pay for the opportunity to attend college while raising my daughter - so I try to look for the brighter side.

New position - I applied and recv an opportunity to become an RA. I'm looking forward to this very much - not because I love the students here so much, but it's a paying gig. So I will have some money in my pocket for the little things (eyebrows, nails, Sylvan education for my daughter etc).

Another position - I was voted into student government as the constitution and by laws chair person. I am now responsible for all of the current clubs and organizations on campus as well as any new ones that would like to get their start.

Another - I was approached by the head of the math department to start tutoring in the help center. They had to get rid of their previous person, which works out great for me. That's a work study position and that money can go towards my bill. The best part is that I get floater hours just in case someone asks me a question in the dorms. ..I still have my job in the Registration office - that is something that I'm not going to be able to let go. That is the pulse of the campus and everything that is important goes through our office first :)

I recv my grades last week - not exactly what I wanted but it's something.
Programming B+, French B, Writing B+, College Algebra B-, Dance A...

I have my work cut out for me, I need to get more A's, so I'm going to have to cut out TV from next semester - I'm not sure how this is going to work out, since I am a professional TV watcher. I have to improve my grades so that I can get a free ride or a grant to pay for Graduate School... there isn't too much financial aid in that area.

Well this is enough for tonight...thanks for reading

I have not blogged for awhile. I more or less have settled into a routine here at college. This weekend and next two days is fall break. So I've kinda been lounging around. I have laundry to do, homework to tackle and flash cards to make. So what did I do this weekend, I opened a myspace account....I know I know I shouldn't have done it - but in less than 48 hours, I already found 30+ people that I would have no connection with otherwise. It's nice to reconnect, especially while your in school far away from the ones you know and love. I would attach my link, but I have pictures and all kinds of non - anonymous stuff on there.

Some things on my mind....

I know I've mentioned this before...but it continues to be a thorn in my side...kids running around in the dining hall. What is the freaking problem, tell them to sit the hell down. Tonight, I had to walk in there and just sit off to the side to free on the constant talking...but sure enough, once the parents were tired of watching their kids...they let them run loose...all you can hear was feet tapping the floor....it's so annoying...I just want to stand up and scream "Shut the Fvck Up!"...I know i'm bugging right now - but it's really excessive.

Scholarships...I need to get on the ball, I truly do not want a work study next semester. Spending my time coping, filing and etc...naw it's not working for me - not at all.

Ok, I must go - I feel the motivation to write my english paper now...

My thoughts are all over the place tonight..thanks for reading.

Work Study Is Killing Me...

Ok, not really killing me - but I don't want to be there. Yes I understand this position on campus is a part of my financial aid package. And yes, I allocated all of the monies towards my bill. But today I worked 3 hours in the office while I could have been starting on my paper which was assigned today or completing my algebra homework or attempting how to write this looping program in C++. (yes I'm whining)

I have to be extremely proactive for next semester to find funds, because I really do not have the time for work study. Maybe I shouldn't be blogging (and doing homework instead). But at least I'm not on myspace! (that can really suck you in).

I updated my profile on fastweb, we also recv'd our annual listing of monies avail to us from our financial aid office. If anyone reading this post knows of any good money sources - please leave me a comment. I've done the whole office environment thing so me filing and stuffing envelopes isn't working for me.

I know it can be worse - I just needed to share my thoughts...It's now 12:31am and I must go and complete my algebra homework!

Good Night :)

The College Experience

If you have been following my blog, you will know that I'm a late return-er to the college scene. I feel like a have a second chance at life...hence the name of the blog. Why am I repeating this?

If given this chance, wouldn't you appreciate it and give it your maximum potential. So why is it Tuesday night, week three or four of school and students are getting drunk? Not doing homework! Now I want to make this blog about my experiences and hopefully show that anyone can do this - there's nothing super special about me....but when I hear this certain student complain about too much homework and not enough hours in the day...it concerns me to see her stumbling down the hall because she's on vodka drink #3.

Am I not being realistic? Putting to much pressure on myself? Possibly having too much expectations for others, which is none of my business anyway?

She's a single mom like me with a 2nd chance that she would not normally have - but somehow she's falling into the "I can do whatever I want mode." I want her to snap out of it, she has so much potential but if she screw this up - then it's over.

This posting might not really make much sense, but this is what's going throughout my mind right now?

I just feel that there are people out there that would walk, run and do whatever they needed to do to be able to have the opportunity that we have, and this woman has it and isn't appreciating it at the moment.

Another week down

This week was a pretty good week. Now we are in full school mode. I have gotten the routine down pact. I know where I'm going and what's expected of me. I know I've said this like a million times but I'm so happy to be here. This is such an opportunity - I'm sit in classes next to eighteen year olds holding my own. It's been awhile since in school, so I'm feeling a little "happy."

Programming C++, we had a test in this class this past week, I recv an 83 yup that's a B.....I was pleasantly surprised since I was expecting something closer to an c-....I was staring at some questions for awhile. I was also a bit doubtful since the professor has not collected one homework assignment, so it wasn't like I was in know that I was on the right track.

French, we had a test this week as well, I recv'd an 94.5, yup that's an A.....now this one really shocked me, since my french isn't that fly. You should hear my answers in class...not cute...but according to my test, I know what I'm doing....yeah boyeeee

Algebra, we had a test here also....in this class I recv a 90...a bit disappointed...2 wrong that should have been right...this is my major and I know this stuff...just dumb errors....I'll have to do better next time.

Writing, this was the surprise of the week....I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before but I am not a fan of english or writing...just not my thing...So we have a paper due this coming Monday. We all had to meet individually with the professor and review what we currently had written. He made some grammatically corrections to my paper......but here's the kicker......here it comes...."You're a pretty good writer." .......yup, the smile appeared on my face...here I am sitting across a man who holds a Ph.D. in english is telling me that I'm a good writer...before that comment, I thought I sucked, but now you all should now that my head a little big...Yes, I'm smelling myself, myself the writer.....no grade yet, but I will keep you posted.

Dance Technique, um this class is not at all what I expected. You I know I can hold it down at the club and stuff....but damn, our professor has us breaking sweats but just standing up. The strecthes we have to are so intense....I know they are to build core muscle - but I'm a little too old for all that...so far so good...I do what is asked of me...not to mention, we had to create our own little sections of a routine and yes, I was called to the front to show mine to the class.....I'm telling ya, it's amazing I can fit my head through the door.

School is good right now..

Blah Blah


So I’m sitting in class, its draft day and we are supposed to be writing part two of our papers that were handed in last week. I clearly don’t have a clue as to what I should write, so I decided to do a quick blog entry. I’ve changed my office assistant in Microsoft about five times now. I’ve gone online to get statistics to open up with some facts relating to my topic (blogging by the way)... Still nothing – I have about 5 more minutes left in class and my paper isn’t looking to good. I need to be ready to write my paper – even though it’s a great idea for us to have time set aside in class to write, it just doesn’t work for me. I’m more of an inspired writer, when it hits me – it will hit me. Time has never moved so slow in this class. This is probably why writing or English isn’t my major or one of my favorite classes. In about three minutes, I will go to the library and check out the papers done from last year. The ones the professor thinks were really well and see if I get anything from their experiences. Me sitting here, trying to put this together isn’t working.... nope. I know I’m going in circles, but I need to get out of this classroom. Oh, now I have two minutes left. I mean its college – should I just get up and leave…nope…can’t be rude to professor. He’s sitting about 2.5 feet away from me, if I didn’t feel that he could read my screen – I would be checking my email or reading up on other blogs. I just looked over and he’s staring into his screen – but I’m sure he can see me. Yeah, it’s 10:50 and the class is over – he just made the announcement and we are free to leave…phew. Thanks for reading my blah blah blah

~update~ I decided to make an appointment for the writing lab tomorrow for brainstorming. So all isn't lost.

Good Customer Service...

I'm writing this post in response to Singlema's post on the subject.

Neiman Marcus - Here's the situation. I purchased a pant suit one year and a half earlier (than date in question). I never wore it, the tags were still in tact. So one day I was "spring" cleaning and I came across this outfit taking up space in the closet. It no longer had an appeal to me, so I was actually questioning myself as to why I purchased it. So I decided I was going to return it. Of course the receipt was gone. So I had to brain Strom, "how am I going to pull this off?" Now I knew I could return and recv store credit, but from previous experience - I know that store credit will only give me the final price of the item. So if this was on sale ever, I would be potentially receiving $20.00 instead of the $175.00 that I should be receiving..that was not going to fly....So I sat down at my computer and started scanning my bank account online. Good thing I paid with my debit card. So there I was guessing and entering dates....trying to remember when I bought it....I also had to go in archives since it was so far back....so about 15/20 minutes later...I found it. woo hoo! So I took a post it note and wrote all the pertinent information. trans #, amount, date and etc.
So little babes and I get in the car and head to the mall. I was ready for opposition -just ready for it. I walked in there with all my answers to questions I thought they would ask me.
Straight to customer service I go, I figured that no plain teller would be able to help me - I have a special case, right?
I take the suit lay it on the table and begin my story..I'm stopped...I'm thinking, ghees - I still have my post it in my pocket....is she going to shut me down? The woman behind the counter, takes the tag, turns it over.....looks at me and says, this sticker right here serves as your receipt...and very pleasantly, please take this to the department for a full refund....what!?!? You mean I didn't have to get crazy, annoyed or even roll my eyes once....darn, i was ready to
I go to the department, they pull up my transaction using the sticker on the back of the tag, call me by my name (yes, they have all that info). ask me if I want cash or credit to the card I used? Of course, I said cash....

Babes and I walked out happy - well maybe I more than her, but eighter way....that was a good day :)

They exceeded my expectations and when I graduate and get a real job again, I will visit them....

Traditions.....

Tonight we were kidnapped and brought to main campus for a long standing ritual, The assignment of our colors. Evens get blue and green & Odds get red and Black.

So here's how it goes, they are supposed to run through our dormitory and get us - being that I and other first years students with children - live with the kids - they cannot go running and screaming down our halls. So we had to meet them out there (at least they included us). So we go out on main campus and the Juniors (class) of have "evens" written out with candles on the grass - it's really pretty. We proceed with our introductions to the circle. So now we are officially capped. Capped with the hats that we are to wear to all official ceremonies.

As I stand there with my blue and green dingy turned to the left - we all look on with our big sisters (juniors) to the words of our alma mata songs and sayings. So we recite them and learn the traditions of years to come.

Then we are dismissed by our "sisters" but not before being told - that tomorrow we must match our sisters and be twins for the next day. My sister picked a black shirt and blue jeans. That's easy enough.

It was very nice to be included into the college traditions (ran by the students), I know we are students here, but sometimes being a "mom" seems to stand out more. For tonight, it was like being young again. an opportunity to run wild and have fun on campus.

P.S. - They assigned students to babysit...

My thoughts and prayers are with all the families and friends to whom which lost people on September 11, 2001.