Back to School

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. Matt's back in school, going for his Associate's in Engineering, and oddly enough, I miss it. I miss school. Geesh, I never thought I'd hear myself saying that. I don't think it's the papers and the homework, but rather the working toward a goal. I've been looking at programs for a while now, and I've finally decided to go back to Salem State (again) to get [another] Master's Degree. This time, I'm thinking I'll go for a degree in Reading. It will definitely help me in my classroom teaching and in the years to come, maybe I'll opt to become a reading specialist. Who knows? Regardless, after much talk and lots of research, a 500 word essay on my goals, 3 letters of reference, and a few chats with Salem State professors, I'm heading back! I start on May 29th. For the summer, I'm going to take four classes. Nothing like diving in head first! I figure, the more classes and credits I get out of the way before the wedding, the better. Then, I'm hoping, I can start taking my required classes (to keep my licensure) in topics that I really want to learn about like World War II. I hope I can get back into the swing of things quickly and easily! Wish me luck!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2010! We had quite a gathering at our place for New Year's, & it seemed a great time was had by all (or at least almost all!)

I asked my students to write about their New Year's resolutions in their journals today. It's always interesting to read the kinds of things that eighth graders resolve to do. They aren't that much different than 20-somethings surprisingly. Some want to get a boyfriend, some want to lose weight, some want to do better in school, some want to get a job, to make more time for family, to treat their siblings nicer, to work harder, be kinder, do more community service. Some wrote that they had no idea what their New Year's resolutions were or if they had any (and some of course wrote that they didn't know what a New Year's resolution was and so could not answer the journal prompt). Regardless, one would think that since I had my students write about their goals for the coming year, I, too, would have great goals & plans for 2010... but that would be false. Now is as good of a time as any for me to make some I guess. As with every year, I want to lose some weight, get fit, get healthier, be kinder & more generous, & make more money. I need to be a better person. I need to be more honest & open with my friends. I am overly sensitive, & I have a habit of remaining upset & holding a grudge. I don't want to do that anymore. I've held grudges with some people for far too long, & I need to let go of them. People hurt people. That's what they do. They don't intend to most of the time, but that's life and it happens.Life is too short to be angry all the time! I've found that there are some friends who I can count on at 4am to be there, to show up when I need them, & to respect my family & my fiance as much as they do me. I need to treasure them more.
2009 was a great year for me, but it definitely had both ups & downs. I got engaged to the love of my life & my very best friend. I found a home that I love. I finished my Master's degree at Salem State. My cousin gave us a new baby in my family while one of my nearest & dearest gave us girls a beautiful niece (& is giving us another one in 2010!). We were able to witness the beautiful union of Matt's Aunty Kathy with Larry. We lost Matt's Uncle Mike, an amazing guy. We've battled diseases & surgeries, trials & tribulations. And of course, through it all, I've only realized how wonderful my family, my friends, & my fiance really are. It's been quite a year! Happy New Year!

Back to School

Lately, I really want to go back to school. Matt is in school four nights a week and I am jealous of him. Trust me, I'm not jealous of the calculus and physics that he does for homework because those would never be my choice, but I'm jealous that he gets to be in school right now. I want to go back to school for a second Master's degree, or maybe for a CAGS. Either way, I miss school, and I never thought I'd hear myself saying that. School was great until I went to Salem State. It was nothing like Franklin Pierce. Some of the professors were fabulous (mainly Theresa & Donnalee) but most of them were horrendous. Classes were awful, parking sucked, and the hours I had to dedicate my life - UGH! Yet, I find myself missing it. Completely, totally, and fully missing school. I want to go back. I want to learn more. I don't want to do the traveling or hiking back to the Salem State parking lot (which is often lovingly referred to as the "Rape-Me" lot with no one around and not nearly enough street lights) but I don't even mind the writing of papers and the discussions and the *gasp* readings. It's been so long since I've applied to schools that I don't know where to start. I wish I still had my high school guidance counselor to guide me in the right direction. I don't know where to look, what schools are accredited, what degrees are in demand, or how to go about finding the money to fund the education... but I want to do it... so it looks like I might have to start doing some research on my own.