I am searching for the light at the end of the tunnel. I am so thankful I chose to go back to school, but it's going on seven years now and I'm in the homestretch and I can (sort of) see the light at the end of the tunnel and I still have days where I say "I can't do this."
Seven years is a long time. Seven years ago I had a five year old son and a two year old son and Meredyth was just a twinkle in my eye. Seven years ago I had this BIG dream of just going to school to be an Addictions Counselor and then being done. Well, once the ball got rolling I realized that an Associates Degree isn't really anything to call home about. Yes it's a degree, but if you want a REAL career you need to at least have a Bachelors degree if not a Masters. And that's the thing, I have an end goal. I want a career, I want a job I love. I love being a mom and there is definitely something to say for us moms who make staying home work. (And I've actually never NOT worked outside of the home, but I've always found a way to still be home and raise my kids) But once Meredyth goes to school, I want something for myself too. The jobs I've done have all been out of necessity because we needed the extra income, waitressing, working daycare, etc....but once Meredyth is in school, I am so excited to work a job I feel passionate about, a job I can go to and be proud of. Plus, to have more money coming in will be a fantastic bonus!
There are a few options I'm already looking into concerning work, one of which is to go to work on one of the Montana reservations either as a social worker or in the addictions field somehow. My thought behind this comes from the fact that often times the reservations are so desperate for these kinds of workers, they are willing to pay some or all of your student loans. Wow, that would absolutely be awesome!! Seeing as I will have about $65,000 invested in my education, that would be worth it. My husband thinks this is a great idea too, so that's another bonus. I definitely want to go into social work of some sort, and am still toying with the idea of doing the Addictions internship and become a Licensed Addictions Counselor. No matter what, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but am still not close enough to pat myself on the back. I still have one and a half semesters to trudge through and they are hard. My experimental Psych class is so far the hardest class I've taken. I am struggling with theories and statistics.
My kids are amazing in every way and so supportive of me through this journey. Two years ago when I was taking classes in Great Falls on weekends, my husband would just do his thing. He is my rock, my support and tells me he is proud of me so often. I don't know what I would do without him. Speaking of Great Falls, that was seriously the most amazing experience in my life. The professor for both of those classes was Dr. Marinn Pierce. She was the single most amazing and inspiring woman I've ever met. She challenged us daily and her ideas were so fresh and exciting and her classes were engaging and BEYOND COOL! She is no longer at UGF but I have to say, I feel so blessed to have been able to experience her as a teacher. Through both of those classes (techniques of counseling and group counseling) she made it very clear that because of the nature of the classes, we may have times where some of us were upset, emotional, etc.....it was clear that through practicing these techniques, we may succumb to their power during class. And it did! More than once! We often had to pair up and "practice" therapy. The one time Dr. Pierce was my partner, I ended up needing to take a break because I had an emotional breakdown. She reinforced my belief that talk therapy WORKS. (even though I already felt strongly that it does). She opened my eyes to so many ideas and things that I didn't even know existed. I am sad that I may never see her again as I truly wish I could carry her in my pocket to share with everyone I encounter.
Well, school is what's on my mind, so that is what this blog was about. If you are a friend of mine, I am not very available at this time. Sure I go on Facebook quite often, but when I'm already at my computer.......I may as well check Facebook. Almost any time you see me post on Facebook it is because at that exact moment, I am writing a paper, taking a quiz, or talking on a discussion board. Rarely do I sit at my computer just to play.
Well such is life, I need to get busy with other things. When the mood hits to write, I need to write, but now it's time to get back to reality.
xoxoxo Liz
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