My Educational Journey

My alarm went off at 5:15 this morning. After hitting the snooze button, I laid there thinking about whether or not I wanted to roll (yes, we are at that stage in pregnancy) out of bed, or stay there snuggled up to my warm husband who didn’t even seem to notice the noisy alarm. That’s when my brain started working, reminding me that I have to get up.

So as I dreaded the thought of rolling over and getting out of bed, I remembered that I am doing this for my family. I have to get up this hour early; so that I can make up the hours I am going to be missing in order to attend another class I need for my degree.

After graduating high school I have been attended MHCC and CCC at night. I always took one of two classes a term. It took 4 years, but I eventually earned my associate’s degree. Well, actually I received two of them by coincidence only. After completing those degrees I took a break from school. I was so tired of going to night classes and doing homework in my free time. Plus, I had a good job (or so I thought). Well, as I drove myself to work every day I started to realize that I could do so much more with my life (of course, this was aided by my mother’s constant reminders).  

I worked 4 years at that job continually taking on new tasks, but quickly realized I was never going to stop wanting to grow. I got a new job at the City of Fairview hoping to fulfill the need for learning new things.

My boss that hired me became my mentor. While she was only there for 2 months, she helped me grow and in perfect harmony with my mom, casually reminded me that the single best thing I can do for my career is to finish my degree.

After 6 months at Fairview my new mentor let me know about a position that was open at Clackamas Community College. After applying and getting the job, I realized that there was going to come a point that getting a new job wasn’t going to come so easy.

My desire to go back to school was growing. However, I was still having those thoughts of not wanting to take 7 years to get my bachelor’s, because I would have to take classes at night. That’s when my mom forwarded website about Portland State’s weekend business degree program. The program seemed perfect. School on Wednesday nights from 6:00-9:40, and Saturday’s from 8:00-4:00. This was doable.

I applied and was accepted, although there were a few community college classes I needed to complete. The advisor let me in with the promise that I would complete all of those by the time I graduated in June 2012.

After deciding to take the plunge, Brad and I also decided we wanted to start trying to have a baby. We started trying in summer knowing that it would take a couple months, which would mean I would be on summer break when the baby was born.

It didn’t quite work out that way. We got pregnant on our first try, meaning I would be due May 2011 right in the middle of spring term.  So there I was September 2010 just a few weeks pregnant embarking on an endeavor I was so nervous about.  I knew I could do it, though, I would be pregnant for this school year and with my amazing husband’s support I knew he would be able to take care of Corbin while I completed the second year.

I battled through that first year. I tell you, no one knows what pregnancy tired is like until they have been pregnant, and Wednesday nights killed me. As I progressed in my pregnancy I remember standing in class, because the chairs were so uncomfortable.  Corbin arrived during midterms spring term. With the support of some amazing professors I was able to complete the work and complete that year.

As I started fall term this year I was ready to complete this endeavor. When I was done Brad and I planned to expand our family. As the first few weeks progressed, I was tired. Boy was I tired. After having what I call pregnancy dreams, we took a test or two, and sure enough I was pregnant.

I battled through fall term, and what a challenge that was. I have now started winter term and week 2, I am waking up convincing myself that I need to get out of bed to achieve my goals. Although I have done this before, it was different this time. This time, I have a baby at home that wants my attention that requires me to get up and down, and wake up in the middle of the night.  A baby that I want to spend every spare moment with and soak up every ounce of love he has to give. This time, my body hurts 6 times as much as it did last time. This time, I am just that much more tired.

As I dread the early mornings, the late classes, and the homework, I am reminded of my journey; a journey that will end in June with a bachelor’s degree to show off and be proud of.

It has been my dream to sit through a 5 hour graduation ceremony that will allow ‘me’ to walk across the stage and receive my degree.  Since the baby is due finals week of spring term and 4 days before that wonderful graduation ceremony, I won’t be able to walk across that stage. You better believe Brad and I are going to celebrate, though (probably after the baby is born).  And while this will be my degree it will be a journey that Brad and I will both be celebrating. I truly believe that this journey is just as hard for him as it is for me.

You see, while I am at work, in class, doing homework, at extra class meetings, and running errands, my husband is at home. He is at home enjoying the wonderful moments with our amazing son.  He gets to watch every moment of his development and share a bond with him that truthfully most fathers don’t get. However, he also gets to do it alone. He has to change all the diapers, make all the bottles, change his clothes, play with him, and deal with his fussiness when he’s tired or sick. My husband, well quite simply, he is amazing.

This weekend my husband rented a movie for me, “How does she do it?” Perfect for me I would say as I have often told my husband I hate when people ask me this question, because it is always followed by, “I COULD NEVER DO THAT.” Every time my response to how I do it, “I just do, but my husband makes it a lot easier.” Then my response to them saying, “I could never do that,” I ask them why not? Every time the answer I get is just an excuse.

I just can’t wait to be done! I can’t wait to just live a normal busy life… without school.