We often get wrapped up in our lives, school, work, family etc. and sometimes we forget to be thankful for lifes miracles and the wonderful gifts we are given. I have a friend that had a lump on her breast. The biopsy came out inconclusive because the mass was solid and she had to have surgery.
Many people, including myself, prayed for her and she was found cancer free. This is a faithful woman of God with a beautiful family, loving husband, and 3 truly great kids. I'm so thankful that the cancer scare turned out to be just a scare and not a reality. I don't have much else to say, but a great big thank you to God and to everyone who banded together in prayer. I truly believe prayer changes lives.
Until my next post, I remain, The Phoenix Mom... rising from the ashes.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
I Haven't Studied In How Long?
As I begin my second and final semester, I'm reminded of my first day of school back in September of 2010. Going back to school after so many years was scary, exciting, nerve wrecking, and wonderful all at the same time. Compared to the first time I went to school, advances in technology, made life as a student so much easier in many ways but it was up to me to figure out how much had changed. The best parts included instant online registration and websites like Sakai that help provide students with a one stop shop for keeping communication lines open with classmates and professors. The confusing parts included walking around a campus that was familiar but foreign at the same time. So much had changed but a lot was still the same.
Through mature eyes and a more intense focus, I found myself drinking up the collegiate atmosphere since I had been starved of adult interaction for so long. I could name every character and sing every song from "Yo Gabba Gabba" but I longed for intellectual conversation, and classroom debate. My first day of school I was afraid that I wouldn’t blend in, and narcissistically I didn’t want to be the “old” student in class. Much to my delight, when students found out I had kids and were in awe, it definitely boosted my ego. I even had a classmate ask me sheepishly if I was a teen mom. Bless her soul, she definitely made my semester!
I had to retrain my brain and get into school mode. Although the classes were rewarding, finding time to read became a challenge. My daughter was having issues going to sleep at a decent hour and since I was still nursing her, it became quite a challenge. I spent many nights studying until 3am only to wake up 3-4 hours later and start all over again. While it was happening, I kept thinking, "what did I get myself into?" but I was determined to press on. After all of my hard work, I ended the semester with the best grades I ever got... 3 A's and a B+.
Now that I'm invested and I'm at the homestretch, my new challenge is keeping up with the classes I'm taking now. They are all Senior level classes with the expectations to go with it. I'm working on setting up my plan of action in order to balance all of the reading I have to do. At the very least I have 80 pages of material a week to read, and I'm already thinking of my final class projects, 3 of which include research papers of 20 pages each. It's going to be a challenging semester.
In addition to my school work, I'm working with my 3 year old on improving his motor skills which are lagging. He's having trouble holding a pencil correctly and although he recognizes and can spell his name, he can't quite write it. He also is a bit behind in expressing himself vocally. I see his frustration, he knows what he wants to say but can't get the words out so I'm on the hunt for a speech therapist in Bergen County. Busy, busy busy. I've got my work cut out for me. Right now I can only see ahead one week at a time. Until my next post, I remain, The Phoenix Mom... rising from the ashes.
Through mature eyes and a more intense focus, I found myself drinking up the collegiate atmosphere since I had been starved of adult interaction for so long. I could name every character and sing every song from "Yo Gabba Gabba" but I longed for intellectual conversation, and classroom debate. My first day of school I was afraid that I wouldn’t blend in, and narcissistically I didn’t want to be the “old” student in class. Much to my delight, when students found out I had kids and were in awe, it definitely boosted my ego. I even had a classmate ask me sheepishly if I was a teen mom. Bless her soul, she definitely made my semester!
I had to retrain my brain and get into school mode. Although the classes were rewarding, finding time to read became a challenge. My daughter was having issues going to sleep at a decent hour and since I was still nursing her, it became quite a challenge. I spent many nights studying until 3am only to wake up 3-4 hours later and start all over again. While it was happening, I kept thinking, "what did I get myself into?" but I was determined to press on. After all of my hard work, I ended the semester with the best grades I ever got... 3 A's and a B+.
Now that I'm invested and I'm at the homestretch, my new challenge is keeping up with the classes I'm taking now. They are all Senior level classes with the expectations to go with it. I'm working on setting up my plan of action in order to balance all of the reading I have to do. At the very least I have 80 pages of material a week to read, and I'm already thinking of my final class projects, 3 of which include research papers of 20 pages each. It's going to be a challenging semester.
In addition to my school work, I'm working with my 3 year old on improving his motor skills which are lagging. He's having trouble holding a pencil correctly and although he recognizes and can spell his name, he can't quite write it. He also is a bit behind in expressing himself vocally. I see his frustration, he knows what he wants to say but can't get the words out so I'm on the hunt for a speech therapist in Bergen County. Busy, busy busy. I've got my work cut out for me. Right now I can only see ahead one week at a time. Until my next post, I remain, The Phoenix Mom... rising from the ashes.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
My First Entry - Starting school after 14 years!
According to Dictionary.com, a Phoenix is: a mythical bird of great beauty fabled to live 500 or 600 years in the Arabian wilderness, to burn itself on a funeral pyre, and to rise from its ashes in the freshness of youth and live through another cycle of years: often an emblem of immortality or of reborn idealism or hope. For me, the symbol of the Phoenix is powerful because it tells the story of my life. Whether by choice or not, I have had to reinvent myself many times throughout my life. The reason behind the Phoenix is that through change, I’ve always tried to keep a positive outlook and make each experience count. In this blog, I hope to share my experiences as a non-traditional student balancing motherhood, school & career.
Back in the 90’s I was a student at Rutgers University. Due to personal issues beyond my control, I had to leave school one semester short of graduating. I never obtained my degree and it became the thorn in my side for many years. In between, I had various jobs, some I loved and some I tolerated with a smile. In 2008 I was laid off after 7 years of service at a job that I once loved but towards the end noticed was changing and suffered the consequence of cutbacks that many of us are still experiencing. I always meant to go back to school but there was always an obstacle… a promotion at work that required a lot of travel, the birth of my first born and a number of other “excuses.” I did find a temporary job, but it ended after a year so in December of 2009, right before Christmas, I found myself 7 months pregnant and out of a job. Initially it was a good thing. I had my daughter in February and by May I was ready to go back to work. The problem was that I searched and searched and probably went for the same jobs that thousands were applying for. I’ve worked consistently since I was 14 years old and was never comfortable not working but now it was a question of necessity and being able to provide for my family.
When I found that I wasn’t even getting any interviews I decided that now was the best time to go back to school. With the help of my mother (who is truly a saint!), I started school in September of 2010 on the same day that my son started pre-school. Fortunately he was in school when I was in school and my mother helped by caring for my infant daughter. It’s a sacrifice not only for me but my family, however, it’s a sacrifice that will pay off tremendously and at least I know in my heart that I will be setting a great example for my kids. Although I’m currently starting my last semester now, in my next blog post, I will recount my experiences going back to school after 14 years and getting through it all last semester. Until then, I remain, The Phoenix Mom… rising from the ashes.
Back in the 90’s I was a student at Rutgers University. Due to personal issues beyond my control, I had to leave school one semester short of graduating. I never obtained my degree and it became the thorn in my side for many years. In between, I had various jobs, some I loved and some I tolerated with a smile. In 2008 I was laid off after 7 years of service at a job that I once loved but towards the end noticed was changing and suffered the consequence of cutbacks that many of us are still experiencing. I always meant to go back to school but there was always an obstacle… a promotion at work that required a lot of travel, the birth of my first born and a number of other “excuses.” I did find a temporary job, but it ended after a year so in December of 2009, right before Christmas, I found myself 7 months pregnant and out of a job. Initially it was a good thing. I had my daughter in February and by May I was ready to go back to work. The problem was that I searched and searched and probably went for the same jobs that thousands were applying for. I’ve worked consistently since I was 14 years old and was never comfortable not working but now it was a question of necessity and being able to provide for my family.
When I found that I wasn’t even getting any interviews I decided that now was the best time to go back to school. With the help of my mother (who is truly a saint!), I started school in September of 2010 on the same day that my son started pre-school. Fortunately he was in school when I was in school and my mother helped by caring for my infant daughter. It’s a sacrifice not only for me but my family, however, it’s a sacrifice that will pay off tremendously and at least I know in my heart that I will be setting a great example for my kids. Although I’m currently starting my last semester now, in my next blog post, I will recount my experiences going back to school after 14 years and getting through it all last semester. Until then, I remain, The Phoenix Mom… rising from the ashes.
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