Day...Way Too Late at Night to Care

So, I just held a baby that is less than two hours old. Yes, you read
that right...TWO HOURS! Rosie-Posie Bramble had her baby while I hung
out with Peony Brockhouse today. Rosie-Posie let me know last night
that she was probably going to be induced today at 6 am. Her husband
texted me this morning at 6 saying they needed to leave at 7:00 and
asked if I could be there by 6:45. So, I got up and 15 minutes later
was on the road!

Fortunately, Peony and I had a very busy day. We went to the college at
which I will be taking classes. I had to sit through the orientation
seminar before I could register. It's a necessary evil, but kinda
redundent. I have been through orientations with my AA, my BA and my
MA. I don't think much has changed! Anyway, we had a BUSY day!
Leaving the house at noon to meet with my advisor, which I'll comment on
in a moment, we got to the school about 12:30. We didn't leave there
until about 4 pm. And, naturally, I forgot to pack a lunch and I spent
what little money I had on parking and the stupid test I had to take.
And...I forgot that 3-year-olds still take naps. So, naturally, Peony
was EXHAUSTED and CRABBY when we got to my house for a sandwich and
Goldfish crackers! But, still, she was a VERY good girl!

We finally got home, in our PJs, and settled down with a snack to watch
a movie...Mulan, to be exact! I got a text at 9:38 from Túveren saying
"He's here!". So, we went to the hospital. And I got to hold the most
precious little boy I've seen in a LONG time. He was literally 1 hour
and 15 minutes old. Wow.

Ok, so I met with my advisor at 12:30. I had to get permission to take
some of the ITP classes while concurrently enrolled in ASL classes.
Yes, I'm taking ASL classes! I've never had that formal experience, so
I can't translate it into my own ASL classroom. Anyway, basically, I'm
going to hybridize (if that's a word!) my degree. I'm going to take all
of the Deaf Studies classes and most of the ITP classes for a total of
96 credits. The only thing I won't do is the practicum and the advanced
ASL-to-English and English-to-ASL classes. I don't need them. That's
not my goal. My goal is to get enough formal education so I can go,
confidently, into a school district and teach an ASL class.

So, my advisor gave me permission to go ahead with my plan of study.
Which ROCKS! Cuz it will be the only degree of its kind!

Ok, I'm exhausted right now, so I'm going to bed.

Interesting Assessment

So, I got to the college at which I'm planning to take courses for my
Deaf Studies degree today. I was told last week that I could bring
unofficial copies in just to prove I had taken English and had some of
the math credits I need. Well, that information was wrong. So, the
gentleman at the admissions office told me that I could take the
placement test and save time. Ok, so, I did that. Here were my
results.

~ Math: score 44. Recommendation - Placement in Math 084: Elementary
Algebra

That was expected.

~ Writing: score 87. Recommendation - Placement in English 101.

Ok, not as good as I'd hoped, but, still...

~ Reading: score 78. Recommendation - Your scores indicate that you may
be reading at a pre-college level. English 095, Reading Improvement, is
recommended.

. . .

. . .

. . .

What? How can I have my master's degree and be reading below college
level?

Der!

Day One-Hundred-Nineteen...Financial Possibility

I just happened to be looking on the website of the college I was to attend in a few weeks and I came across their Worker Retraining Program. That program is designed for people who are unemployed and need training to GET a job, or are currently employed and need training to KEEP a job. Well, I thought for sure the program I want to take would NOT be listed, but IT IS! Both the Deaf Studies and the Interpreting programs are Professional/Technical programs I could take.

It's funny...Gray Cloak, when I asked if he would consider co-signing a personal student loan for me, he said that if God really wanted me to take those classes, He would provide a way.

I think He just did!

If I qualify, I would get tuition, books, and supplies...all free! I wouldn't have to take out any loans. I wouldn't have to worry about going further into debt. And I could work, too.

I just have to qualify...

Day One-Hundred-Eighteen...Interviews

Tomorrow, I have 2 interviews. One is for a part-time Nanny position to the North of me. It's 3 days a week for approximately 5 hours a day. I don't know how much per hour, but it would work around school.

The second is for the Program Manager for developmentall disabled adults in group homes. It's fill time, Monday through Friday. And, I get to help people.

So, the first interview is at 11:00 and the second is at 1:00. So, if you think of it, pray for me. Pray that God's will be done.

Day One-Hundred-Seventeen...Confirmation!

So, today, I received confirmation from several places that I'm supposed to go back to college and get my Deaf Studies.

1) Family

My family has ALWAYS been my balance. Especially Sulla. He's just always (sometimes, very annoyingly) talkin' smack about my plans and decisions. Ok, not really talkin' smack, but I have to admit, that was fun to say! Anyway, he's always "questioning" me about what I'm doing, making sure I'm thinking things through. I was actually talking with him about going back for the English degree. I was telling him all the hoops I had to jump through before I would be able to do it and wasn't sure I could make it in time. He said something the other day that made me go, "Gosh, thanks, dude! That really felt awful!" He said, "Maybe you need to reconsider being a teacher. It seems like, even though you're good at it, it's not what God has meant for you to do. Maybe you missed the boat."

I was stunned...

But, I didn't say anything and just thought about it. Normally, I would have gotten mad at him and depressed because I "know he's right". But, no, God actually used that to get me thinking about the direction in my life. I KNOW, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I am to be a teacher. I know that. I know I am supposed to be teaching in an ASL/Deaf field. So, as I posted the other day, I looked for some information on how to become a better teacher. I came across the Deaf Studies program. So, I decided to take that path.

Here comes the confirmation...

When I told Sulla, Dilibrirth and Gray Cloak about it, they ALL said, "GO FOR IT!" There was no questioning, no "do you think this is God's path?". None of that! That NEVER happens! So, confirmation number one!

2) Leadership

I've joined Facebook. I found the ASLTA page on Facebook and tried to join. Well, the President of the ASLTA responded and informed me that I couldn't be part of the page because I wasn't a member of the ASLTA. I told her I didn't realize it was different than the WA-ASLTA and I would join as soon as possible. I thought, if anyone would know what it takes to be a good ASL teacher, it would be her above anyone else. So, I asked. She told me that the Deaf Studies program would be "exactly what [I] need" to improve my skills. She also said that I might want to add regular education classes such as classroom management, assessment skills and some classes on teaching foreign language. Well, I already have those, so I'm good to go!

3) Finances

In order to go to school, I have to work 40 hours a week. I've done that before, but it's only been because I was taking all classes online! Not this program. Some can be taken online, but not the majority. And, some of the classes are day and some are night. Well, I've made it possible to take classes around my working schedule. If I substitute this year, I can take jobs on days I don't have classes during the day. Then, I can do my PSA "thing" evenings and weekends...or after class, depending on when they finish. If I don't sub, or if I get another full-time day job, I can take most of the classes I really need during the afternoons and evenings. So, it works out where I can do both! And, I can get enough financial aid to cover some expenses, get out of debt, and have enough for books, supplies and gas for transportation.

God is good.