Just an Update

School is going well.  It is crazy and hectic, and I am NEVER taking 16 hours and working again... but it's all worth it, baby.  I have an A average in EVERY class so far, and I plan on keeping it that way.  I'm quite enjoying myself, aside from the incredibly stressful workload.

Last week wasn't a great week for me.  I cracked my iPhone and re-chipped my tooth for the 2nd time this month.  Annoying.  The first time I chipped it biting my nails.  I haven't bitten them since.. not ONCE.. the 2nd time I chipped it eating cereal. Lame.  I mean... seriously??? CEREAL??? Obviously my dentist messed it up.. and I'm having the hardest time getting in to get this stupid chip fixed.  Thank goodness it's not too obvious.. it is on my front tooth but it's pretty small.

The good news, is I got my NEW iPhone 4S 2 days after cracking my 3GS.  I am in love with it.  When I feel like slacking off I search for new covers for it.  It takes great photos and has cool apps for editing them.  If you follow me on Facebook, it's likely you've seen some of these photos.  I got a little obsessed on Friday night after it came in the mail.  I got some adorable photos of my niece, Adelaide.

She's gorgeous.  She's gotten so big.  I can't believe she is WALKING now, and she has the cutest little walk too.  I have to say, while I have always adored her, I adore her even more now.  Her sweet little personality is really prominent now.  She dances whenever she hears music, no matter what, she has to stop a little and dance, and then keeps exploring.  And she loves food.  And is into everything.  She walks around with cell phones up to her ear.  It's so cute.  She even holds the XBox controllers properly.  It makes me kinda want one.  You know... briefly.  Then she starts crying or stabs someone in the eye and I change my mind again.  ;)

My cats are doing well.  Akira has been out more often, she and Puppy get along so well now, I am surprised I ever had to worry about them.  Here's a hilarious photo of Akira stalking me...

She's so cute.

And really, that's about it.  School.  Work.  Homework.  Exams.  Kitteh distractions.  Oh.. and I've been sorta working on my halloween costume.  I'll give you a hint... it involves rainbows and poptarts.

College... Round 2

Going back to school has been an enlightening experience.  It's really a great way for me to measure the leaps and bounds my personality has made, and my maturity level.  I'm not trying to brag, I'm trying to emphasize how incredibly immature and short-sighted I was.  I think back to how I approached college when I was 18, and going to BYU, and I feel a little sick to my stomach at how I wasted that opportunity.  I did not appreciate it for what it was.

Now I'm back in school, 7 years later, to finish what I started.  For the first time, I look forward to going to class.  I have not missed a class, and don't plan on missing one... I don't care if I'm spiking a fever of 103, I will be in class.  I feel a thirst for knowledge, a strong feeling of elation when I learn something new, and a distaste for the people around me bragging about getting drunk all weekend and making bad grades on the test because of it.  I want to scream at them, and shake them, and warn them about the consequences of not taking school seriously.

I am lucky to be able to go back to school and finish.  Most people don't have that chance once they get married and take on adult responsibilities.  I have vowed to myself that I will not only pass all of my classes, but I will make A's if I can.  So far, I have taken exams in 3 classes, and gotten a 92, 94, and 98 on these exams.  So far, so good.  I made a B on my first biology quiz and almost went into a depression... but I made up for it yesterday.  After acing 2 exams, I made a 100 on my 2nd biology quiz.  I feel amazing about my progress.

Meanwhile, work is busy.  If I'm not at school, I'm training clients until all hours of the evening.  I wake up at 4:30, and I don't usually get home until 7 or 8, which gives me about 30-60 minutes before I have to start getting ready for bed.  I'm exhausted, and I am stressed... but I will not fail.  I will do what I have to do, to get what I want.

I finally feel proud of myself.  I feel like I am doing something good... for ME... but also for my family.  I want to make sure that Jeff and I never have to ask for help, or take a handout.  In fact, I hope we are so well off we can help others.  I want to be financially independent, in case I ever need to be the sole provider.  Mostly, though, I want to reach my full potential.  For the first time in my life, I feel confident that I am intelligent... but more-so, I am becoming knowledgeable.  There is nothing more precious in life, than continuing to learn and grow... stagnation is death to my soul.

I guess the point of this post is to let you all know that right now, life may be hard, but it is a very big step for me in my own personal growth and development as a person.  I am stressed, and I am stretched thin, but ultimately I am satisfied with my choices at the moment.  I hope you all have the strength to chase what you want, and to go after it even if it's really difficult.  Hard work reaps big rewards.