(no subject)
The new term has started. Sitting in a common area between classes makes me realize my comparative age. I will turn 30 this year, and I feel a world apart from the kids that surround me. I have been a lot of places and experienced a lot of things relatively, so I don't begrudge them their world views. It just so happens that I see things differently than they do. I occasionally feel kinship with a classmate, but its normally an older person or a fellow veteran. There are a surprising number of veterans that had the same idea that I did. Going back to school is really the only option in this economy if you don't already have a good job.
Part of me is slightly disgusted with myself. I have been messing around for too long, and making excuses for my lack of progress. I have been going to this school for too long, off and on. Had I not taken time off to work, or various other things, I would have been done years ago...
That leads me to my next point.
In June I will be attending classes at WSU Vancouver, as a part of their Elementary Education program. I have finally been accepted to the program that I have been slowly stumbling toward for the last several years. I feel extremely fortunate that I have the means to go to school and maintain a decent lifestyle. I owe most of that to my loving wife. Between her constant support and encouragement as well as her willingness to work while I study, this journey may actually succeed. I can be kind of a jack ass, and its good to know that at least one person can tolerate me through my various moods and direction changes.
I guess, I feel like I am getting older, but its not bad. I am achieving my goals, and making use of the benefits that I earned in the Army. I feel a world apart from my supposed peers, but I accept our differences and enjoy the person that I am, while not resenting the people that they are. It took me a long time to learn that those two things are not mutually exclusive.
A couple years ago, I told a friend that I felt like I was walking alone in the rain. I was never alone, and the rain was of my own making. I now feel like the sun has come out and my people are all around me.
Part of me is slightly disgusted with myself. I have been messing around for too long, and making excuses for my lack of progress. I have been going to this school for too long, off and on. Had I not taken time off to work, or various other things, I would have been done years ago...
That leads me to my next point.
In June I will be attending classes at WSU Vancouver, as a part of their Elementary Education program. I have finally been accepted to the program that I have been slowly stumbling toward for the last several years. I feel extremely fortunate that I have the means to go to school and maintain a decent lifestyle. I owe most of that to my loving wife. Between her constant support and encouragement as well as her willingness to work while I study, this journey may actually succeed. I can be kind of a jack ass, and its good to know that at least one person can tolerate me through my various moods and direction changes.
I guess, I feel like I am getting older, but its not bad. I am achieving my goals, and making use of the benefits that I earned in the Army. I feel a world apart from my supposed peers, but I accept our differences and enjoy the person that I am, while not resenting the people that they are. It took me a long time to learn that those two things are not mutually exclusive.
A couple years ago, I told a friend that I felt like I was walking alone in the rain. I was never alone, and the rain was of my own making. I now feel like the sun has come out and my people are all around me.