Thursday, November 27, 2008

Day One-Hundred-Twenty-Six...Thankfulness

Ten Things I'm Thankful For:

~*~ My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Salvation work He did on the Cross for me and my sins.

~*~ My family, blood and not, without whom I would not be who I am today.

~*~ My job, though it was a long time coming, because I LOVE going to work every day.

~*~ My friends, Bekii and Stevie, who has been such an encouragement through the last few months.

~*~ My home, though I've moved in and out too many times, it's still home.

~*~ My parents, who brought me into the world and have made me who I am today.

~*~ My dog, who has been my faithful companion, staying by my side for the last 3 years.

~*~ The internet...thanks Al Gore!

~*~ The memories I have of my grandfather...memories no one else has.

~*~ The promises of God for my future.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Day One-Hundred-Twenty-Five...ARGH!

So, I got an email from 2 of my instructors yesterday. They both said they didn't know I was going to be out of class for the rest of the quarter. They both said that they couldn't let me continue and still maintain the integrity of the program. They said I would probably get an "F" in each of their classes. So frustrating...

So, I emailed them back and asked if they would be willing and able to give me an Incomplete for this quarter, then allow me to finish the assignments between now and the beginning of next quarter. Neither of these courses are prerequesites for next courses, so it won't affect future performance. I'm hoping they'll agree...

We'll see what they say. It will influence whether or not I continue with classes. I can feasibly schedule myself around classes from now until the end of the year. But, we'll see...

K, g'nite.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Day One-Hundred-Twenty-Four...Change of Heart

Well, if you read my last post, it was a bit on the melancholy side. But, today, I'm feeling a bit more ambitious. Here's why...

I spoke with some of my friends...the new ones I've made in class. They all were very encouraging, but not very helpful. I got "oh, don't quit now" and "i'll miss you in class", but nothing that really made me feel any better.

Then, I talked with Rosie-Posie. And, she told me how she saw it. The words that stuck out to me, and ultimately made me change my thinking, were "Well, you have to decide what you want to do, but if you give up when things get a little but difficult, you'll never accomplish anything."

(Jaw hits the floor, mouth is gaping open in disbelief)

She KNOWS all I've dealt with. She KNOWS that I've faced trials and tribulations in my life. She KNOWS that I don't just run away when the going gets tough. Usually, I go shopping first! No, just kidding. Well, I do tend to rely on retail therapy when I'm down.

Anyway, I digress...

I was (almost) offended that she would talk to me like that. I felt very not-cared-for. But, I guess I was looking for an "it's ok...everyone will understand" from her and I really didn't get that at all! LOL! And, it was for the better. Because now, although it will be a LOT of work, not to mention a scheduling NIGHTMARE, I'm going to complete what I started. I'll be able to continue being financed through Worker Retraining at the college, have my tuition and books paid for, continue to work, earn enough to support my family AND not have regrets. And, THAT'S what's the most important to me.

Thanks, Rosie-Posie!

Off to do homework...

Sigh...

LOTS of homework!

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Day One-Hundred-Twenty-Three...Sigh

Well, today is a day that I really didn't want to come. I came to the conclusion that I have to drop out of school. I got a new job this week. It's going to be too much for me to learn a brand new job, take care of the house, go to classes, do my homework, and do any of it well. So, I'm going to have to drop school.

Sigh. . .

I really wanted to continue on. I just don't think I can take it.

Sigh. . .

Well, that's all for right now. I think I'm going to go to bed. It's the end of a dream I've had...well, not the END, but a "not-right-now" anyway.

Sigh. . .

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Day One-Hundred-Twenty-Two...A New Chapter

So, I applied for a job about 2 months ago at my on-call job. I interviewed with my current manager. I interviewed with the Program Manager Supervisor. He was VERY excited about hiring me. It was a Program Manager in King County managing staff who are providing care for developmentally disabled and Deaf adults in a group home. It would have been perfect for me! Taking my Special Education experiences and my office experiences and putting them in one job...that would have been AWESOME! Well, I probably would have gotten the job if our email and phone hadn't been cut off. Thanks Counterpunch!

Anyhow, I didn't get that job. I did get a letter from my manager saying she was trying to contact me for a few weeks. I stopped by the office and talked with the supervisor. He mentioned that there was another job available. In fact, it was taking over for my manager! I would be my own boss! LOL! I would be taking over managing the ASL sites. I'll have Deaf clients, Deaf staff, hearing staff. I'll be in charge of coordinating services, providing services, scheduling, staff meetings, etc. It will be nice.

So, I start on Wednesday at 8:00 am. I'm starting at one of the houses I'll manage. I'll be trained for about a month, then will take the reigns.

I'm a little nervous, but excited, too. It'll be my first real management position. I wonder if I can do it right. I wonder if I'll be a good manager. I wonder if my staff will respect me...even like me. We'll see.

The problem I might have is scheduling school. Part of my job will be to arrange the schedule. One of the perks is that I can put my needs into the schedule before scheduling around it. And, I need to have 16 hours of Direct Contact Service with my clients. So, I can put my 16 hours in, then schedule the other staff around that...which is nice. But, I also have other classes to take. This quarter, I have classes every day. Next quarter, I probably will, too, but it will be a smaller chunk of time each day. So, if I can work my "8-hour-day" in shifts, then I can go to school AND work. If I can't, then I'll have to drop school. However, I am going to TRY MY BEST to do both. Especially because I found out yesterday that there is a way to be funded through Worker Retraining Program at school even though I'm working full time. Let me explain...

So, one of the requirements for worker retraining is that I am in a declining occupation. Well, technically Interpreters aren't in a declining need. So, my WRP Advisor suggested I look through the descriptions to find out what my job is and see if it's declining. Well, sure enough, it is. So, I 'should' be able to continue with my education and work full time with getting full funding through WRP. I should know more later this week.

Well, I think this is a turning point in my life. I hope I don't screw it up! LOL!