When Mommie Goes Back To School
Twenty-one years ago I was accepted into a grad program for a degree in counseling. Shortly after that, we found out our long-awaited dream of having a baby had been answered. My OB recommended that since I was young enough to wait on school, I focus on and enjoy my pregnancy. Without blinking, I agreed. Not only did I enjoy that, I have adored the past twenty years as a mom to that son and his big sister.
Suddenly, for the first time in my life I find myself free from other obligations and former roles. After all these years of putting family first, it's my turn! I am so excited I dance and clap around the house often. Sometimes I just burst out in applause out of giddiness. One of my dearest friends told me the other day she had never seen me so happy or energized. I've taken my dream off the back burner and am enjoying every moment as I see it unfolding each day.
Pinch me. The sun seems to shine brighter, coffee is tastier and my garden is full. Every one in my immediate family is celebrating along with me even when they forget where I went for the day. My hubby is cooking more and has always been a laundry man. I've got a study corner in the kitchen with a cozy chair I reupholstered just for this purpose. That is, when I'm not spread out at Starbucks.
I spent the summer getting mentally ready for The Big Shift that started just a few weeks ago. I went from my part-time job of 15 hours a week to a full-time student with a part-time job along with hours of study time. This week fall semester is launching. I just spent the past three hours breaking down all of the assignments from two of my classes into small steps, coding them and entering them on my calendar. I laugh when I see I "only" need to read three text books by next class.
One of the biggest differences is going from spurts of focus moments throughout the day, to days of straight focusing and deep concentration. With ADHD, I have to work hard to cheer myself along when I look up and see a bird. Since I know this about myself, it does make it easier to recognize. With my brain zooming all day and a 10 on the Glee Scale, it's hard to slow down at night. I've found my old friends - knitting needles - have come in handy. That relaxation blanket is going to big enough to drape over our whole house.
In preparation for school I've had to re-learn how to think ahead in my personal life, too. If I want to have several things to wear during the week I'd better remember not to leave them in that pile on the chair. I've created several grab and go outfits for those new, early mornings. Surprisingly, commuting isn't very tough. The roads I need to take turn off on the right just when everyone in the left lane starts to back up. Sirrius Radio and Pandora keep me company. The campus is beautiful. Set on a lake surrounded by mature trees. We get a whole ten-minute break and I enjoy the power walk over to the campus coffee shop. Haha I can do a half mile in ten!
When I buy things in the bookstore, the cashier asks me if I am faculty. My program is a small co-hort and we have already started bonding thanks to a two-week intensive we just finished. We range in age from right out of undergrad to grandparents. Yes, I am in the more "mature" group. Since this is new for each one of us, we have much in common. Everyone earnestly wants to be successful and gulps at the amount of work. The only time I notice anything different is when I am yelling at my laptop and one of the younger cohorts politely shows me where to click. (Not like my exasperated son who says "Oh Mo-om...")
Speaking of computers. In order to function with my new life, I now have three email accounts. One for work, one for school and the one that used to be for me that I don't have any time to check anymore. Each one has a password. Then there are the three other passwords for my various school accounts and more for my work software. (Of course I moved to a new agency right before starting school, why not have more ramp-up time with new systems?) And can we just talk about my new friend, Moodle?
You have to login on Blink first. Of course. #Anotherpassword. Then you have to think about what the webmaster would have named the thing you are looking for. Sometimes it's obvious. Other times, it is buried (like "Parking Pass"). I recently learned it is helpful to scroll down the entire six-foot page before asking for help. Some professors put things in Moodle without attachments attached. I've sat like a monkey double-clicking away several times with that one. The other day I was looking up classrooms. Clicked on one class. Got the room number. Clicked on the other class, got a message telling me that information "had already been submitted". Huh? I just followed my cohort to that room. Now I hear professors are going to link up important articles through Moodle. This is surely payback for never using the parent portal when my kids were in high school.
The calendar on my phone is my third brain. Everything is in there. It synchs with my laptop. Until tomorrow. The app I was using is shutting down since Microsoft bought them. I downloaded the one they recommended and can't get it loaded on my phone. The "simple" start-up on my laptop wasn't so simple. They forgot to ask a user like me who systematically finds the functions that were overlooked by the developers. Ahh, the frustrations of a technical world. There is no way to contact the new calendar people in person ("Contact Us" is a crock.) and get an immediate answer, so I sent off an email. Hopefully the answer will come, and not involve another expense.
My work recently emailed me to only use their software app messaging tool when discussing clients. That involves more clicks and drop-down boxes besides remembering about eight first and last names of people in the new agency that must be copied. Lists are everywhere. One of my client's social workers sent me an encrypted email. I was supposed to download another app just to read it. All it said was "have you contacted them?" Nothing like layers of steps when a quick text would do. Speaking of texts, my phone is cracked and in need of replacement. Goes on the list. I also have to provide school with my immunization record. Yes, mine. Appointment with the "shot nurse". Check. And can someone please tell me why does Apple iTunes keep billing me $10 each month? Please don't tell anyone how long it took me to find the "on" button on my new Beats headphones.
Right along with school is the fun of planning a bridal shower for my son's fiance. Fortunately, that to-do list has been in operation for months and I've slowly checked off things I can do in advance. We are two weeks out and so far, so good. My goal at any event I host is that I am prepared enough to be able to be a guest at my own party. I'm excited to decorate in the midst of reading and case notes.
Who knew you could have that "back to school" fever another time around? Only my school supplies are way cooler now. I didn't know how the professors would deliver their lectures so I waited until after the first class to see what I needed. For someone who likes to be prepared, this was like sitting on my hands but it paid off. Surprise - the old paper and notebook still works. Not everything has changed.
Aside from my family, this is the funnest time of my life. All I can do is prepare, hold my nose and jump in. And hope that I don't double-click and shut myself out of the page I was on.
To my friends who know how busy I am, please know that the girl who set her books aside in college to spend important time with you is still here. This time I have crafted a calendar with plenty of margin so there is still time between the pages and paper writing to meet for coffee. And I'm still cooking for family on weekends.
#Fun #Fun #Fun
Suddenly, for the first time in my life I find myself free from other obligations and former roles. After all these years of putting family first, it's my turn! I am so excited I dance and clap around the house often. Sometimes I just burst out in applause out of giddiness. One of my dearest friends told me the other day she had never seen me so happy or energized. I've taken my dream off the back burner and am enjoying every moment as I see it unfolding each day.
Pinch me. The sun seems to shine brighter, coffee is tastier and my garden is full. Every one in my immediate family is celebrating along with me even when they forget where I went for the day. My hubby is cooking more and has always been a laundry man. I've got a study corner in the kitchen with a cozy chair I reupholstered just for this purpose. That is, when I'm not spread out at Starbucks.
I spent the summer getting mentally ready for The Big Shift that started just a few weeks ago. I went from my part-time job of 15 hours a week to a full-time student with a part-time job along with hours of study time. This week fall semester is launching. I just spent the past three hours breaking down all of the assignments from two of my classes into small steps, coding them and entering them on my calendar. I laugh when I see I "only" need to read three text books by next class.
One of the biggest differences is going from spurts of focus moments throughout the day, to days of straight focusing and deep concentration. With ADHD, I have to work hard to cheer myself along when I look up and see a bird. Since I know this about myself, it does make it easier to recognize. With my brain zooming all day and a 10 on the Glee Scale, it's hard to slow down at night. I've found my old friends - knitting needles - have come in handy. That relaxation blanket is going to big enough to drape over our whole house.
In preparation for school I've had to re-learn how to think ahead in my personal life, too. If I want to have several things to wear during the week I'd better remember not to leave them in that pile on the chair. I've created several grab and go outfits for those new, early mornings. Surprisingly, commuting isn't very tough. The roads I need to take turn off on the right just when everyone in the left lane starts to back up. Sirrius Radio and Pandora keep me company. The campus is beautiful. Set on a lake surrounded by mature trees. We get a whole ten-minute break and I enjoy the power walk over to the campus coffee shop. Haha I can do a half mile in ten!
When I buy things in the bookstore, the cashier asks me if I am faculty. My program is a small co-hort and we have already started bonding thanks to a two-week intensive we just finished. We range in age from right out of undergrad to grandparents. Yes, I am in the more "mature" group. Since this is new for each one of us, we have much in common. Everyone earnestly wants to be successful and gulps at the amount of work. The only time I notice anything different is when I am yelling at my laptop and one of the younger cohorts politely shows me where to click. (Not like my exasperated son who says "Oh Mo-om...")
Speaking of computers. In order to function with my new life, I now have three email accounts. One for work, one for school and the one that used to be for me that I don't have any time to check anymore. Each one has a password. Then there are the three other passwords for my various school accounts and more for my work software. (Of course I moved to a new agency right before starting school, why not have more ramp-up time with new systems?) And can we just talk about my new friend, Moodle?
You have to login on Blink first. Of course. #Anotherpassword. Then you have to think about what the webmaster would have named the thing you are looking for. Sometimes it's obvious. Other times, it is buried (like "Parking Pass"). I recently learned it is helpful to scroll down the entire six-foot page before asking for help. Some professors put things in Moodle without attachments attached. I've sat like a monkey double-clicking away several times with that one. The other day I was looking up classrooms. Clicked on one class. Got the room number. Clicked on the other class, got a message telling me that information "had already been submitted". Huh? I just followed my cohort to that room. Now I hear professors are going to link up important articles through Moodle. This is surely payback for never using the parent portal when my kids were in high school.
The calendar on my phone is my third brain. Everything is in there. It synchs with my laptop. Until tomorrow. The app I was using is shutting down since Microsoft bought them. I downloaded the one they recommended and can't get it loaded on my phone. The "simple" start-up on my laptop wasn't so simple. They forgot to ask a user like me who systematically finds the functions that were overlooked by the developers. Ahh, the frustrations of a technical world. There is no way to contact the new calendar people in person ("Contact Us" is a crock.) and get an immediate answer, so I sent off an email. Hopefully the answer will come, and not involve another expense.
My work recently emailed me to only use their software app messaging tool when discussing clients. That involves more clicks and drop-down boxes besides remembering about eight first and last names of people in the new agency that must be copied. Lists are everywhere. One of my client's social workers sent me an encrypted email. I was supposed to download another app just to read it. All it said was "have you contacted them?" Nothing like layers of steps when a quick text would do. Speaking of texts, my phone is cracked and in need of replacement. Goes on the list. I also have to provide school with my immunization record. Yes, mine. Appointment with the "shot nurse". Check. And can someone please tell me why does Apple iTunes keep billing me $10 each month? Please don't tell anyone how long it took me to find the "on" button on my new Beats headphones.
Right along with school is the fun of planning a bridal shower for my son's fiance. Fortunately, that to-do list has been in operation for months and I've slowly checked off things I can do in advance. We are two weeks out and so far, so good. My goal at any event I host is that I am prepared enough to be able to be a guest at my own party. I'm excited to decorate in the midst of reading and case notes.
Who knew you could have that "back to school" fever another time around? Only my school supplies are way cooler now. I didn't know how the professors would deliver their lectures so I waited until after the first class to see what I needed. For someone who likes to be prepared, this was like sitting on my hands but it paid off. Surprise - the old paper and notebook still works. Not everything has changed.
Aside from my family, this is the funnest time of my life. All I can do is prepare, hold my nose and jump in. And hope that I don't double-click and shut myself out of the page I was on.
To my friends who know how busy I am, please know that the girl who set her books aside in college to spend important time with you is still here. This time I have crafted a calendar with plenty of margin so there is still time between the pages and paper writing to meet for coffee. And I'm still cooking for family on weekends.
#Fun #Fun #Fun
Love this new Ink for all application http://bit.ly/2DWi1K9 Its dark theme makes sure I'm not distracted, it's helped me be so much more productive. Thought I might tell other writers about it
ReplyDelete