I’m Beautiful Like Me.

My first week back to school has been really wonderful. At least the school part. The part of not having all my books on hand, switching a class at the last minute, and home adjustments hasn’t been great. But the classes are awesome. I’m taking a basic Geography course, one that relates to humans (more social than scientific), Anthropology that deals in skeletal forensics (a lot of new terms to get familiar with!), American Lit (Reading! Critical thinking!) and Existential Philosophy (more critical thinking!).

Coupled with my new job at the school’s Department of Neurology is exciting. I’ve been working for the Chair and his secretary. I’m in absolute reverence of the Chair - he is a brilliant man that has had more publications than any other faculty member at the school. If I had to guess, it would be somewhere in the neighborhood of two to three hundred. The rest of the staff is really great, too. My boss is really cool and laid back. And I’m encouraged to study in my down time! Awesomeness.

Husband has had a little difficulty adjusting to me being gone a lot. But he’s been a good sport about it all. On Thursday, when I was gone all day working, I came home to a clean house and hot dinner. He’s so sweet. I’m lucky to have such an amazing support system with him.

The hardest part for me is finding time to study. Because I’ve had to tweak my sleeping schedule, I’m pretty tired by the time the kids are in bed and am falling asleep on my books! But I feel pretty good that I’ll figure it all out.

I haven’t enjoyed a weekend so much in a long time! I spent a good portion of yesterday crocheting myself a sleeve for my new HP Mini netbook. I also finished another pair of fingerless gloves and have another one ready to start. Busy, busy!

Tomorrow is my 32nd birthday. Besides the netbook, going back to college, Husband bought a camera for me! I expect it to arrive in the next day or two. I’m really excited about it, but it is a much nicer camera than I have ever used and I hope I can find the time to learn a little bit about it!

Until next time… hopefully it won’t be too long from now, but I’m obviously going to very busy!

I’m all set for my first semester back to school in almost 4 years. It’s my first semester at University, too. I’m taking 13 credits: Physics, Anthropology, Geography and American Lit. I’ve got my parking issues (mostly) covered, my backpack, my books are ordered, syllabi printed, notebooks, folders, pens and pencils, etc. all gathered up. I’ve just got to get a couple of last small things to get. Oh and I’ve got to talk my husband out of his laptop or else I’m going to just get my own. I really like those little HP Minis. But my guess is Husband will just let me use his.

It’s just as well. We both would really love to move and that’s going to cost us a pretty penny. I’d like to get one of those really spacious apartments down by the University. Unfortunately, most are only 2 bedroom apartments, but they are similarly priced as our current apartment and have a ton more square footage. Another good aspect is that I’d be much closer to school and we’d overcome the parking issue altogether. That sounds really good.

I’ve also gotten a part-time job through Federal Work Study. I was hired by the Department of Neurology at the school. They are extremely supportive of my school schedule and the work is right up my alley. I start school on Monday the 24th and my job on Thursday the 27th.

It’s going to be a challenge going from full-time mom for the past two and a half years to being a full-time student with a part-time job and still have the demands of a mom and wife. I’d like to think I’m ready for it. Only time will tell.

Thanks to a couple of good friends at knit night last night, I’ve decided that going to school is just the change I need. I meet in the morning with an advisor in the Arts & Sciences department (and received ample warning that it will most definitely not be a fun experience) and hopefully will register for classes at that time. Campus Orientation is on the 20th and classes start on the 24th. My biggest hope is that I can get into relatively easy classes since it has been three and a half years since I’ve been a full-time student.

I’m anxious. I’m nervous. But I’m excited, too.