Commencement Speaker!

No that's not me pictured in the video but guess what, I am in the video! I was honored to speak at my commencement ceremony. It took place in September 2014. Yes I know, I'm a little late blogging about it. I had all the good intentions in the world to keep up my blog but as usual life got in the way. Anyways I am here now chatting about it. I guess it is better late than never. It was an amazing experience to finally take the walk and speaking was the icing on the cake. It you want to watch my speech it takes place from 47:26 to 52:45. I hope if you watch my speech you are encouraged and motivated. My degree did change my life and I am grateful!

 There I am speaking! 

Yes that is my husband with me! 

Tears, smiles and laughter!

Wow, I'm still in awe when I think about it but I did it! The picture you see above is my diploma! On February 18, 2014 I officially graduated from WGU Indiana and earned my bachelors degree! I can tell you when I received my diploma it was a day filled with tears, giant smiles and laughter.

Since I received my diploma in the mail it was a bit different then receiving my diploma at an official commencement ceremony. (In September I will take the walk at an official ceremony, but I will share more information about that in another blog post.) I will never forget when I walked to the mailbox and seen an over-sized letter with my name on it! I immediately ran to the house and ironically enough I couldn't bring myself to open it right away. I had to take a minute, breath and gather my thoughts. When I finally peeled away the envelope and my diploma emerged I immediately began to cry. The tears were a result of so many different emotions. I was relieved that it was finally finished, I was thrilled that I did it and I was sad that my mother wasn't physically here with me to see.

After I was able to wipe the tears away along came the giant smiles, not only from me but from my 3 youngest children and my sister. After they all took turns looking at my diploma, they decided that some sort of little ceremony should be performed and that is when the laughter began.

Abigail stationed herself at one end of the kitchen and I still dressed in my pj's stood at the other end. (Yes I check my mail in pj's if you are wondering.) After my name was announced the crowd in the living room comprised of my sister, Daniel and Molly began to sing Pomp and Circumstance as I walked toward Miss Abigail. Miss Abigail with outstretched arms handed me my diploma and my little crowd began to cheer. I tell you that had to be one of the proudest moments of my life, pj's and all, no official ceremony can top that! After I took my diploma and waved it in the air for all to see the laughter began to ring out. It was tremendous and a day I will never forget! The giggles, laughter and the cheers of "way to go mom" will forever echo in my heart.

Smile

Yup, that is me, smile and all. Why you ask am I smiling? Well, let me just tell you. Since my last post two very monumental things have happened! First off, I started and completed my demonstration teaching. Boy was that an experience all in itself. I swear I could probably write a book about it all, but I will keep it short and say, I learned a lot. There is nothing like real time, hands on experiences to open your eyes to all that teaching involves. I always admired teachers, but let me tell you I have a whole new found respect for them. I also learned how students somehow become like part of your family. They make you laugh, cry and most of all show you love, which amazed me the most. There were many days I came home with pockets full of pictures and little notes "my students" had created for me. I think that was the most encouraging thing. It literally warmed my heart and caused it to break when I had to leave. I will never forget my first class of students!

Secondly, December 11, 2013, a day I will never forget, I finished all of my courses! You would not believe how happy I was when I seen that final class clear and nothing was left in my course of study to complete. I quite literally laughed out loud, cried hysterically, danced the happy dance and then dang near passed out. Yes, I'm sure it would have been quite the sight to see. I'm just glad no one was around to witness it. I might just have been committed to an institution on grounds of insanity.

So folks, the end of my WGU Indiana Journey is coming to an end, but the next journey in my life is just beginning. I wonder where this next journey will take me. I have faith that it will be filled with wonderful things. Fear not though, I still have more blog posts yet to come. I will soon be beginning the process of applying for graduation and my license. You can bet that the day I receive my diploma it will be plastered all over my blog! The day I get to take the walk, likewise will be all over this place like the front page of a newspaper!

In closing, I will be back and keep things updated. Hey I have no school work to complete, so I just might have a little more time on my hands to write a bit more ;). Until the next time, remember, dreams can become reality with a little bit of hard work and faith.

Where does the time go?

Where does the time go? When I started this blog I had every intention of keeping it continually updated and share all my experiences during my journey through school. Unfortunately life, school and everything else hindered my great blogging intentions. I have hit a few of the highlights and thoughts I've had during the last couple of years. Yes, amazingly it has been a couple of years since I started WGU Indiana. But I don't think I can ever put into words what going WGU Indiana has meant to me and taught me. I have struggled, worked harder than I ever thought possible and accomplished things I never believed I could ever accomplish. I have learned so many things and the things that I learned that I most treasure, are the things that I learned about myself. 

I have learned that I am stronger than I ever thought. I have learned to turn struggle into a challenge. I have learned to never give up and to keep striving and pursuing your dreams. I have learned that I can change my life and my circumstances. It might seem that I am being a bit dramatic about what earning a degree can do for a person, but for me it is dramatic. It literally has been a life changing experience. The best part is that this is just the beginning. I will earn my degree and I will use that degree to change my life, and even more, hopefully I will change the lives of others. 

My best advice for those who think they are too old to go to school, or think that they could never do it, is to think twice. I believe we are all stronger than we think. We are all capable of doing things we never thought possible. The catch is you have to take the first step. You have to accept the challenge knowing that if you put forth your best efforts you will never fail. It all goes back to the old adage, "If there is a will, there is a way." Trust me on this one, if I can do it, so can you! 

Rover Rhymes with Clover

One of my pre-clinical task required me to teach a lesson with a puppet. Now I have four kids so of course I have at one time or another put on a hand puppet, made the funny voice and played with everyone of my kids. But, somehow the thought of a hand puppet, a group of 1st graders staring me down and a teacher watching every step I make, put me into extreme anxiety attack. I mean think about, all the things that run through your mind. Are they going laugh? Are they going to take me serious? Oh my gosh, do I have to make the funny voice? I decided I would just suck it up, put on the puppy hand puppet, pray for the best and hope I don't pass out from fright! 

I decided to name my puppet Rover, after all he was a dog and Rover is a good dog name, right? Since I was teaching about rhyming words I used cardboard dog bones with words, which of course a dog would like to eat and have the kids find the rhyming words for Rover to consume. It sounded like a perfect plan. On top of that I gave each kid a clover to remember how rhymes sound. You know Rover likes to eat a clover for breakfast. Get it, I thought it was pretty witty at the time :). Hey it was one of the first lessons I have ever taught and I was just doing my best to find something fun, educational and non-threatening for me :). A dog with bones couldn't be too bad and terrifying for me to present. 

The day came for me to present my puppet, gather the kids around and begin the lesson. Much to my surprise the kids were excited! They couldn't wait to work with Rover and me. I was amazed and how well it went. After I introduced them to Rover and passed out their clovers the rest was a piece of cake. I loved it! I even forgot that the teacher was watching and was able to just concentrate on the lesson and the kids. They were awesome, giggled a little, had fun and learned something too! I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Now looking back I can't believe that a poor little innocent dog puppet could create so much panic for me. I learned a lot about kids, me and how a lesson can be fun, informative and educational. I will never again panic over a puppy puppet :). I will just remember Rover and have a barking good time the next time a hand puppet comes along. 

PCE and the Count Down Begins

My pre-clinical experience will soon be starting and I will finally get to be in a classroom. I have to admit I am nervous, excited, scared and happy all at the same time! I was fortunate enough to be able to do my PCE in the school I had hoped. My two youngest children attended school there and many of the same teachers are still there. In fact one of the teachers I will be working with is a teacher who encouraged me 7 years ago to go to school for teaching. Back then I never thought it would be possible. What a difference a few years make :). 

Now that I am starting PCE the countdown to fall demonstrative teaching begins. The countdown of tasks (assignments) starts too! At this time I officially have 41 to complete before summer's end. I'm hoping to complete them as soon as possible. I have come to realize that something always seems to arise and I want to be prepared just in case :). In addition to the task I have another Praxis and two more tests to take. I can see that this time is shaping up to be a busy one. 

A Scholarship For Me!

WGU Awards First Scholarship in Daniels' Name

      Yes that is a picture of me, Chancellor Barber and Governor Daniels! Much to my surprise I was awarded The Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. Go Further Scholarship on January 11, 2013. A day that I will never forget! I am honored, grateful, amazed and thrilled! It is all so exciting and overwhelming! 

     This scholarship means a great deal to me and will assist me in so many ways. I am fast approaching my demonstrative teaching this fall and I do have some financial concerns. Since I have two younger children I will need to enroll them in after school care and that combined with the fact I still need to find reliable transportation, is of great financial concern. By receiving this scholarship that will fund my school expenses, it will free up some much needed funds for a transportation and childcare. It has quite literally relieved some anxieties and allowed to be more able to concentrate on my studies. 

     Receiving the scholarship has also effected me in another way, an emotional way. I am encouraged and humbled. I cannot begin to describe how it feels to have someone believe in you, to notice you, to care about you. Someone noticed my struggles and acknowledge my fight to continue and persevere. That means more to me than words can begin to describe. My biggest challenge now is not to let anyone  down and to succeed. I want to walk across that stage and receive my diploma. I want to go on to do great things and hopefully change young lives for the better. I want to show and set an example for all those adults out there who think they can't, because they can! If I can do it, so can they, so can you! Life isn't always easy but no one ever said it would be. It is up to us to change our destiny, to commit to changing that destiny and following through. 

Thank You WGU Indiana for helping me Go Further!

     

     

The Clouds

I felt this picture of the clouds helps to represent where I have been and what has been going on since my last posting. For me the clouds represent a great many things, reaching for the stars, Heaven, the Divine, and peace. All of these things I have experienced over the last several months.

To answer the big question, YES I am still attending WGU Indiana in my pursuit of becoming a teacher. I haven't given up. I am still reaching for the stars, even though I have had a few bumps in the road on my journey. From my previous post it is noted that I have been dealing with some health issues. Everything finally came tumbling down and I did end up in the hospital where emergency surgery was performed. I believe it was only by Divine intervention that a kind surgeon listened to me, believed me and fought hard with other doctors to recognize there was a problem that needed to be addressed. He quite literally saved my life.

I ended up having three major surgeries in one. I had a very large ventral hernia repaired, my entire left colon removed and major adhesions removed from my umbilical area. I still am having a couple of issues, but I'm doing much better than I was previously. I have a few more test scheduled in the near future and I'm praying everything will come out fine. I desperately want to move on and pray they can eliminate the pain that I still experience from time to time.

Shortly before my surgery, I had another life changing experience. My beautiful, loving, kind mother passed away. It was a day I will never forget. It was Mother's Day and I was at church. Service had just ended and my cell phone rang. It was my sister. She wanted me to know that she had checked on our mom, and found that she was no longer with us. She had passed away peacefully in her sleep. The kids and I were just getting ready to get in the car to pick up a Mother's Day cake and balloons for her. The hardest part was explaining to my little ones that we no longer needed to go to the store, that we needed to go home because Nana had went to Heaven.  I dearly love my mother, but I know that she is at peace now and in the arms of God. She will forever be in my heart, my memories and part of me forever.

As you can see my journey has been long and at times difficult. I have not given up and I believe that life gives us things to make us stronger, to teach us lessons and to mold us into who we are meant to be. How we handle our situations is what defines us. It shows the world who we really are on the inside.

I choose to look at my difficulties as a blessing of sorts. I was honored to take care of my mother the last several years and in her last few months I was given an opportunity to say all the things I wanted to say and to listen and hang on every word she said to me. God blessed us by allowing her to survive a severe heart attack near the end of her life. He saved that time for us to say our goodbyes and to share all that we could with her. I am grateful for that.

My illnesses have taught me so much too. I have learned to appreciate and not take good health and life for granted. I have also learned to accept help from others and most importantly to rely on God for all my needs.

Updates and Wow did the time fly!

Wow, it is hard to believe it is the end of March already. I do have a couple of updates. I DID finish all my planned courses and manged to add another before the end of my term this month. It was almost by miracle that I felt well enough to finish the last one.

My health has been a big issue this term. I've had several very painful ulcerative colitis attacks that lasted for months on end. I didn't quite make it until my insurance kicked in, and ended up in the hospital for a couple of days. I am feeling better, but I do have my bad days here and there. I am still going through testing to figure out what is causing all the pain and attacks. Not to mention my hernia has once again appeared. This time bigger and well lets just say I don't know what a belly button looks like anymore ;), mine disappeared. A golf ball now sits in its place. Yes,,, gross I know,, but it's life!

I decided not to take a break after all, and I am looking forward to my new term April 1st! I must admit I find it amusing that my term starts on April Fool's Day. It sort of mimics my life most of the time. I suppose it is some sort of cosmic side joke the universe is playing with me.

I have decided to strive and keep reaching toward my goal. It seems like it is just right around the corner, and yet so far away. I suppose when I finally graduate I will look back and think, wow, I lived through it all and laugh. No on second thought not laugh, but sigh rather loudly with the breath of relief.

One Year Reflection

Wow, it has been just over a year ago that I started my journey at WGU Indiana. Looking back I know I made the right choice, and I am thrilled to be continuing my journey to teaching.

I have learned a great number of things while attending WGU, but I believe the greatest thing of all is what I learned about myself. I have discovered my strengths, my weaknesses, my fears, hopes and dreams. WGU has been the proverbial light bulb moment for me. It has been the light of my ah ha moment. So many things have become clear in the light of education. I now know I want more, but most importantly I have learned that more is possible. I have come to realize that dreams are what you make of them. They can be thoughts of things you wish for, or things you reach for and attain.

My dreams encompass a great number of things. Above all is the dream of a better future. So that is what I am doing, I am creating a better future for myself and my family. WGU Indiana has given me the opportunity to no longer wish for it, but to achieve it. I have worked hard, and every step I have taken has been done with determination and with a goal insight. Someday I will reach that goal and take that walk for a diploma I have yearned for, for so long. I think the most amazing thing is once I have reach that goal, I will be able to help build a foundation for children to grow their educational goals. I believe if I can help build a strong enough foundation for my future students, someday they will take that same walk I will to receive their college diploma, and in turn they will be creating a better future for themselves and quite possibly the world we live in as a whole.

One More Step Closer

I did it! I passed my course on the U.S. Constitution and I am one happy camper. Now I’m preparing to start my next term on October 1^st! Wow, I cannot believe it’s been almost a year since I started WGU. Looking back I am still confident that I made the right decision. WGU is helping me make my dream come true! You can’t get any better than that!

I'm Still Chugging Alone

I'm still chugging along! My hope of adding another course this term is becoming a reality. I take my test on the U.S. Constitution next week. Wish me luck!

I have to say that I've enjoyed this course, and learned a lot too. It is incredible when you think how our founding fathers created and established our country. Many years ago I had the pleasure of visiting Washington D.C. and it was truly a dream come true for me. I did the whole tourist thing and strolled through the White House, sat on the front porch of General Washington's home, viewed the Declaration of Independence and was humbled by rows and rows of stone in Arlington National Cemetery. It was all so amazing to me, and someday I hope to take my children there.

I was raised by the God, Country and Apple Pie mentality. My father fought with the 1st Calvary in Korea at Pork Chop Hill and my brother served in the Navy and in the National Guard in Iraq. In addition, my other brother served in the army and my own husband served in the Marine Corps for 10 years. Coming from a family with such a military history has always taught me to respect and appreciate the men and women who keep us free. Studying how our country came to be was more of a pleasure than a homework assignment for me. I thought I knew a lot already, but I learned so much more this term.

All Stitched UP

Well its finished. The surgery on my umbilical hernia is complete, ouch btw, and I stitched up the loose ends on my final task in speech, and hence completed all my open courses! I raced the clock this morning before surgery to complete everything and I won! When I arrived home this afternoon I managed to sit upright long enough to see "task complete". It made my post surgical nap on the couch that much more pleasurable. I might be down for the moment, but I'm not out for the count.

'Another One Bites the Dust'

Yes ! Another math course bites the dust. One more step toward earning my degree, and I'm loving it!

I passed

I am now officially finished with LCC1. I am happy to have that course behind me. Let me tell you that the test was no easy task to complete. I woke up deathly ill the morning of the test, and only by the grace of God was I able to take and complete it. The last 15 questions I guessed. I hit what ever letter looked good, I didn't read a thing. I figured it was better to hurry and finish than to vomit on the keyboard. Yes... I was that ill, believe me once I got home I vegetated in bed until the next day. I didn't even check to see if I passed until around 1 a.m. the next morning. There was a 4 hour limit for the test, I finished it in a record 72 minutes. I had too... lol.. I thought I was going to die if I took any longer. None the less I am done, finished, it is over !!!

Now on to the next course. I have already started it and hope to complete it in the next couple of weeks, maybe sooner if I can get the kids to sit quiet for just a little while. That is my biggest battle, just the peace and quiet to work and write. I have to either get up very early in the morning, or stay up extremely late.

My first course finished

After completing EWB I was on my way to my first course. Health was the topic. It was pretty easy for me. Last fall I completed anatomy and physiology at another college and WGU's health course was mostly a repeat of things I covered there, and things I have learned from working in hospitals in previous years. I finished the health course in just a few short weeks.

Now I am studying literature and scheduled to take my test next week. I have found literature to be a bit challenging. The poetry section is something I have difficulty with. Poetry has never been my strong point and that is showing through during this course. Hopefully all will go well with my test next week, and LCC1 will be another notch on my education belt. The next challange will be the 4 writing task for the second part of my literature course. God willing I will find some time today to sit down and get started on my first writing task.