The College Story

I finished my degree!!

Ah, it's been a long time coming... I originally went to college (Moody Bible Institute in Chicago) after high school. After a year and a half, for many reasons (some which I was realized at the time, some not until later), I moved back home. I worked as both a camp and a church secretary, and was perfectly happy in my life. I never really considered going back. Who needs college when a husband and babies were all that was needed?

Fast forward a couple years. I met Jon. It was only because of his encouragement I ever even considered going back, but honestly, it still didn't really excite me. After that first deployment, we lived in Georgia for a few months while Jon was still in the Guard, and I taught at a small Christian school. I absolutely loved it... which made me realize that maybe finishing my degree wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.

We moved down to Ft. Stewart in January of 2007, and I promptly began classes. I took one in-seat, and one online. I very much remember leaving that first day for class. It was January 8 (both my sister-in-law's and my brother-in-law's birthday, so it's a memorable date), and I pulled out of our driveway in our black Ford Ranger. Jon stood in the driveway and waved as I drove away. I think I cried.

To be honest, even then, I didn't think I'd finish. I thought it would be really great to "work on" my degree... until we had kids... at which time it would just... sorta... "go away"...

After that first term (my school has 8-week terms, not 16-week semesters), I only took one class at a time (always online). Looking back, I really wish I would have done more before kids!! I was working, but it was only minimal hours... I really could have done more. I think I just didn't want to invest too much.

That December, I had Sophie. Actually, I had her the week of finals... I had to get an extension since she surprised us early! I took one term off, and that March (while Jon was deployed), for some unknown reason, I registered for classes... once again, TWO classes. That was fine... until, once again, finals week. It just so happened that I closed on our house, moved, and had both finals all in the same week. With a 5 month old. And no husband at home.

I vowed never to take more than one class at a time again.

But, I kept registering. I took another term off when we moved to Huntsville, then I met with the adviser here. I had been working toward a degree in sociology. She pointed out that, with my transfer credits mostly counting as electives, I would end up having to take more credits to get in all the classes I needed. On the other hand, if I were to switch to a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, they could count ALL my electives... plus, I wouldn't have to take those nasty stats and research classes! :-)

I think that's when I began seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. She showed me how I could CLEP out of more credits than I had thought, and take a few more electives to fulfill all my credits. So I took two classes, then another two terms off to have Ransom.

In that time, I took two CLEPs, worth 6 credits each - one of them was History and Social Sciences, which wasn't much of a sweat for me. The other one, though, was Natural Sciences. I haven't taken a science class since 10th grade biology, which I quite literally slept through. I have NEVER liked science.

I got a couple study guides, and went to work. Uh... it was like Greek. Mitochondria? Nucleus? Lunar Phase? Atomic Mass? These were all words I had heard of, but the study guides assumed I already knew what they meant! Way over my head. I had to literally Google things like "what is a cell" and "what is an atom." I can analyze a social situation and tell you what classical and contemporary social theories apply... but atomic mass? Not so much.

I studied. HARD. For about 3 weeks. After the test, I nervously awaited my score. I passed!!

So, this term - my last - I got special permission to overload: take 3 classes. I have to admit, I have enjoyed the classes this term more than any others I've ever taken. Columbia now offers a Human Services major, and if they would have 3 years ago, that's what I would have done! So I rounded out my electives with courses from that degree, which I loved.

All that left was one more CLEP: Intro to Computers. I actually took the DSST version, as either would have counted, and I have read that one was easier! :-) Wanting to get it over with, I've studied the last few days...

And now, I'M DONE!

I have literally laid in bed at night and daydreamed about what it would be like to be completely done. I can't count how many times I wanted to give up, how many times I cried to Jon that I was just "done." But I am so glad I finished. In the last 3 years since I went back, we've moved 3 times, had 2 kids, and gone through a deployment. It's been hard - but life won't get less busy! Though I don't plan on going back to work for several years (at least until the kids are in school), I'm glad this box is checked. Because my BA isn't in a specific field, I very well may go back (in a decade or so!) and get my Master's. A BA will just open up a lot of doors - I'm realizing there are many jobs that you just have to have *A* degree - regardless of what it's in. We shall see. Right now, I'm just looking forward to spending more time with my kids! :-)

If you've actually read all this, thanks. Sometimes when I write, I go back through and delete things to keep it short enough to maintain interest. Today's post was more for my benefit I think. It's good to remember what I went through to get here.

And now, I'm done....

What's up with the Fishers?

I have made a new goal to blog once a week. We'll see how that goes...

So what's new?

I'm taking 3 classes this term. Since they're 8-week terms, it's considered overload. BUT... this is my last term! Woohoo! I do have one more CLEP to take in March, and I have my BA! Right now I'm taking Christianity in the Modern World (it's really a history course, starting pre-Reformation), Mental Health, and Working with Communities and Organizations. I am enjoying those last two classes I think more than I have enjoyed any class thus far. If they had had the Human Services major when I started, I would have done that.

Sophia is pretty much the most awesome 2-year-old. Ever. She is so much fun, and I'm so proud of her. She knows all her colors, can count to 7, and is super helpful. We're making definite progress in the transition-from-diapers arena, and she loves to help me cook. She now can identify white and wheat flour, white and brown sugar, vegetable and olive oil, onions, garlic, tomatoes, raw meat, salt, pepper, eggs, and various other foods in their raw state. (Can you tell what I cook with the most? ;-) She dumps things in after I measure them, and counts as she goes. Whenever I go in the kitchen, she's right on my heels, saying, "Mommy, Shopee helpme." (I think because I say, "Would you like to help me?")

Ransom is sitting up on his own and eating solids. So far we've done cereal, apples, and sweet potatoes. He is really interactive and especially loves playing when Sophie is involved.

Well, Sophia is falling asleep next to me (shots this morning), so I'm off to put her in bed. Check back soon! :-)

I really should write more often...

I'm sitting outside right now, under the covered patio, eating chips and cheese, watching it rain. I love this. The cool breeze is such a welcome break from the 90s weather we've been having - I'm actually wearing a sweatshirt right now! Feels like fall...

It's been busy around here. It's definitely a different kind of "busy" than the last unit - but busy nonetheless. Those "leave work at 5" days (novel concept!) have quickly fluttered by... ah well... so, here's a recap of the last few weeks...

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We went to our first 832nd Hail & Farewell last week. It was by far the shortest I have ever been to - and they were farewelling the Commander! Usually these things take HOURS - even with the meal, this one was done in about 90 minutes! It was cool to get to meet more of the people in Jon's unit.

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Sophie is growing more interactive every day! She is getting to a really fun age - there are times I'm not sure what I'm going to do with a newborn again! She is very independent and loves doing things that Mom and Dad do... though not always exactly the way Mom and Dad do them. For example, she loves helping me unload the dishwasher. There is a low cupboard with plastic things she can put away, but lately she has been putting away the silverware for me. Unfortunately, since she can't reach the drawer, she has claimed another low cabinet for silverware! She very purposefully gets each piece, one at a time, walks over, and puts it on the shelf. She's trying so hard to help I can't bear to stop her!

Last night at Bible study one of the Soldiers put Sophie up to the microphone - she didn't even hesitate doing exactly what Dad does... she leaned forward and started singing away! The words consisted mostly of "duh"s and "nuh"s, but it was definitely a song! When he tried to put her down, she grabbed the mic and started singing louder!

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Thanks for all your suggestions about play group. We didn't go on Tuesday, and there weren't any problems today. There were fewer kids there today, plus one of them was a 6-year-old girl who loved helping Sophie play all morning!

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Long story short, I got some good news about my degree last week! They FINALLY got all my transcripts evaluated (2 1/2 years after the process began...) and they accepted ALL of them!!! The one blow-off AP math class I took in high school even paid off - not only did they give me 3 credits for it, but it waived THREE math classes! All said, it seems I have 3 CLEPs and 6 8-week classes left! Even taking my time (and a term off for the baby), I should be done in less than a year! Woohoo!

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We were visited by yet another "official welcoming committee" this week. It's funny to me that every group comes individually - I think this was the 3rd. They came with a cookbook with recipes from spouses (Officers' Spouses Club), so that was cool. I have heard people talk about not feeling very welcome when they move on post, but that hasn't been our experience at all! People here seem just the right amount of friendly - they'll welcome you and talk to you, but don't intrude! ;-)

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I'm officially in my third trimester! Let me tell you... this kid... shirts I wore up until the day I had Sophie are already stretched tight around my belly. After I eat, I have to push him down so I can breathe. I'm really hoping I go early again, because I have a feeling he'll be bigger than Sophie was! I would love to do a natural birth again, but if he's big... I just don't know...

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Ok, that's enough for now. I'm off to write the first paper for "Music of the United States"... it's a book report of the table of contents and chapter summaries. Seriously?!?! I think I'll like this class...

My week... and a half...

You may have noticed I've been missing- I had a good friend in town last week and was too busy to blog! Here is part of what has happened since my last post...

~ 1st Brigade came home!!! Beth and I went to 3 welcome home ceremonies (they arrived on 14 different flights). What an exciting thing to be a part of! It is held at a parade field. You can just feel the excitement, suspense, anxiousness, and joy in the air! People start gathering about an hour before the anticipated arrival, and there are several short videos showing on a huge screen (you know, entertaining things like Army Safety and 5 Years of War...) The soldiers fly in to Hunter Army Airfield (about an hour from here- this is actually where Jon is stationed out of now) then are bussed over to Ft. Stewart. The announcer periodically announces how far away they are, followed by cheering. (well, except for the time that he announced "They're 30 minutes away!" 10 minutes AFTER announcing "They're 25 minutes away!")

When the busses come through the back gate, the announcer tells everyone to stand up and look to the right... and just about then, you can see several big white busses coming down the road! There is much cheering, clapping, and waving while they go by.

The next 5 minutes seem to take FOREVER- and I wasn't even waiting for my husband! The soldiers pile off the busses, get in formation, and FINALLY walk through a line of trees! There is a short ceremony (the National Anthem plays, the Garrison Commander talks for like a minute- literally- then we all sing the 3ID song and the Army song)- then, the GC says, "Audience- go congratulate your soldier!" or some such thing- I think once it was "greet your soldier" and once it was "attack your soldier"...

At that point, the crowd rushes out to the field. It was interesting for Beth and I to stay in the stands at that point, and just observe. Dads who were meeting their babies for the first time. Others who said good-bye to newborns and are coming home to toddlers (15 months is a long time...) Some wives literally ran and jumped into their husbands' arms, while others just stared at each other from a few feet away before embracing. It was quite moving.

~ Having Beth here was WONDERFUL! We met in the beginning of 6th grade- we were both in Student Leadership Council and met in the hall on the way to the first meeting. We have been friends ever since. It's funny to think that I have been friends with Beth for well over half my life. I'll admit, I was afraid having her come for a whole week that we would run out of things to talk about or get on each others' nerves... but neither happened. I'm trying to get her to fly down in June and drive back up with me... or marry a soldier... maybe both...

~ I went to our Hunter Spouses Club luncheon on Tuesday, and met several new people. One is Jon's roommate's wife- it was really great to meet her. Another is a new wife- been married 8 months, is expecting in 6 weeks, and her husband deployed last Saturday. I am so glad that she came out to the luncheon- as I've said before, the best way to meet people is to get yourself out there! It is so easy to be miserable and have a pity-party... the best way to combat that is to enjoy the good things about the Army.

~ Sophie started giggling! She doesn't do it really often- every couple days or so- but it is GREAT! She seems to laugh the most either while or right after eating... I think she takes after me in that... I love this picture- "What are you talking about? I'm not eating my hands..."

~ The house has been showing about twice a week... now we just need someone to want to buy it! :-)

~ Classes are going well. After I got over syllabus shock, I don't think it will be too bad. Midterms are next week already... gotta love 8 week terms...

~ I took over keeping track of our Chaplains' Spouses Roster- the lady who was doing it is PCSing. Not a huge task, but it will be great because I can get to know the new ladies as soon as they move in, hopefully getting them plugged in to the group. I look forward to that.

For now, I am working on trying to not feel like an 8th grader as I work on my science vocab terms...

3 Things

1. Tonight I went to an installation-wide volunteer reception. It was ok, nothing too exciting. Well, until the end when we all lit our Christmas Eve-ish candles while they played some cheesy secular country "Thank You for Giving to the Lord." That part made me laugh. Several friends were there, though, so that made it worth the time!

2. I registered for my next session of classes. Ugh. Western Philosophy, cool. Environmental Science, not cool. I haven't been in a science class since 10th grade biology, which I slept through. There is a reason I'm a sociology major. I figure this is the most applicable science, so hopefully it will be tolerable at least. The syllabus points to much more work than should be in a 100-level course. At the end of this term in May, I will have 78 credits, only 52 to go. Yeah, only.

3. One of our brigades is coming home in the next couple weeks! Many of my friends have husbands in this brigade, and a couple are FRG leaders- everyone is all abuzz with reunion plans! I love listening to them talk about all the stuff they're doing- of course, they're totally stressed & busy, but it's great to watch!! :-) I'm just waiting for that railroad behind our house to start carrying fighting vehicles back to post!!