Homecoming!

Dear Diary, I attended my first social activity since returning to the University... a pep rally for homecoming week! It was very exciting. Of course, I didn't have to go alone (I don't know that I would have the courage to do that), I took my husband with me. He was a very good sport about it and patiently watched the cheerleaders and dance team perform (he watched a lot of dancing when our daughters were growing up, probably enough for a lifetime) and he bought us matching homecoming T-shirts. (Special!). I was really bummed out that we didn't get to go to the dance because we had an out of town commitment, especially since I had a date. (I am sure I could have coerced my husband into going). Well, not to be too disappointed, there's always next year (I probably couldn't have fit into a slinky dress anyway).

Self Analysis

Dear Diary, I discovered two disturbing things about myself today. I realized one all by myself, and the other I learned through requested feedback. First of all, I was very nervous because I had two tests today. Last night when I was studying, I became so frustrated with trying to remember facts, that I began to cry. After some tearful moments and mumblings about dropping out of school, I fell asleep. This morning, I woke up a bit more confident, went to school and took my tests: however, I discovered that my nerves were not under control. I was much more verbal in my classes. The more nervous I got, the more I talked. I talked to fellow students before class, I made comments during class, and I talked to students after class. My chatting was incessant. I raised my hand to answer every question the professors asked, and I was anxious to know about the lives of all my classmates and to tell them all about my troubles. If I had been in second grade, I would have most likely been sent to the principal's office for time out. Now that I have discovered this about myself, I will put some duct tape in my backpack for use on test days to keep myself quiet. Secondly, I learned my health age is 61. My Wellness Dynamics Class inspired me to seek feedback at a local gym concerning a workout program. After I was through with the assessment (I was still chatting incessantly, because my nervous system was still in overdrive), I learned that for as little as $50.00 per session, I could benefit from personal training. The assessment was done on a computer program, which draws a little picture for you of how your body looks based on your current weight. Well, I looked nine months pregnant. It was disgusting. The trainer was worried because when asked to rank my motivation on a scale from 1-10, I said that I was only motivated at an 8. You see, not only do I chat incessantly when I'm nervous, I also can eat as much as a pro linebacker for the NFL. Anyway, I really do want to stop being obnoxious and to look better, I just don't know if duct tape and $50.00 per session will be enough to get the job done.

Harvest Holiday

Dear Diary, I haven't written for a few days because we had a break from school. The ironic thing is that we held school on Columbus Day... you know, in 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. State agencies and the banks were closed, but we continued to learn. However, our learning came to an abrupt halt so that individuals could participate in the deer hunt aka Harvest Holiday. Now, I am not a hunter. The thoughts of tramping around the mountains in freezing cold weather, wearing camouflage and bright orange, hoping not to get shot by another hunter, but to shoot Bambi instead, does not personally appeal to me. I do not dislike individuals who are hunters, though. I guess shooting Bambi is no different than killing Bessie the cow or Mary's lamb. We all have to eat. And I am grateful for a holiday from school no matter what the occasion.

Me and Technology

Dear Diary, I think one of the toughest challenges of going to school is dealing with the changes in technology. When I first attended the University in the olden days, computers were a relatively new concept and filled an entire room. There was no internet: google, facebook or e-mail (oh my gosh how did we survive?). All research had to be done in the library and then typed on the typewriter, now a thing of the past. There were no worries about uploading, downloading, or retrieving files. You just shoved in the paper, hit the carriage return and prayed you didn't make mistakes (unless you had a self-correcting typewriter). It took weeks to research and compose a college paper; one which can now be created, spell checked, embellished with pictures and printed in a matter of hours. This technology stuff is still hard for me, though I think I'm getting pretty good at it. Still at times I struggle, and then I have to call one of my children on my cell (it takes me too long to text). I know this annoys them. I am amazed they even answer the phone (they are probably hoping that I have inherited some fortune and am going to split it with them; that could be the only reason they don't let me go to voice mail). Anyway, bless their greedy little hearts, they do answer the phone, and rather pleasantly. "I need help", I say. Long pause. I know they are thinking, "not again." "How do I download a file to the F drive on the University's internet sight?" Now they are not so pleasant. Child #1, Master's Degree in Business says, "Mother, you should know this by now. How do you think you do it?" (if I knew how I wouldn't be asking) "Never mind," I say and call child #2, who just finished law school. "Well he says, define download. Maybe you want to upload it?" I say, "What's the difference?" "Why don't you look it up?" Argumentative little bugger. I say, "talk to you later." I call #3, my oldest who is also well educated, but has learned patience with me. He talks me through it, I thank him. (I am remembering that kid in my will, which by the way I prepared on my computer, so I hope I saved it correctly).

Wellness Dynamics

Dear Diary, This semester, I am taking a class entitled Wellness Dynamics. This is actually a very helpful class. I thought I would share what I have learned so far. First of all we studied the seven components of wellness. These include the areas of spiritual, educational, intellectual, emotional, occupational, physical, and social health. So far, I have learned that going back to school is probably contributing to to most of these areas in negative ways. I find myself too tired to go to church and socialize, I have cut my work hours and also my income in half and I am eating a lot more sugar, drinking more caffeine, and feeling a lot of stress. I am contributing to my educational and intellectual well being, however, as I am learning why I have high cholesterol, that my resting heart rate is abnormal, and that I am not exercising enough. On the positive side, I have learned that even though I am over 50, I can still keep my muscles from atrophying and that I definetly do not want to use steroids, because I already have enough hair on my face. Looking ahead in the book, I find hope, because so far I don't have cancer or diabetes, I am not a drug addict and I don't have any STD's. If I can just increase my flexibility, form a good plan for nutrition and achieve a healthy weight (yeah, right), I may become a responsible health care consumer and live through the semester.

Shout Out

Dear Diary, Today I have finished week number seven of my first semester of being a full time student. I have been thinking that I have been pretty much consumed with myself these past few weeks, i.e. my appearance, wanting to fit it, feeling sorry for myself blah, blah, blah. As I walked around campus today and attended my classes, I really didn't notice anyone's hair, shoes, or backpacks, but tried to pay attention to what my fellow students were doing and feeling. I felt some deserved a shout out so here goes:
To all you moms attending school....You deserve a medal of honor. You nurture your children and do your homework. You juggle textbooks, bottles, and diapers. Kudos!
To the Veterans back from active duty and pursuing a degree....I can't thank you enough for keeping me safe. You were putting your life on the line while I was worrying about what to make for dinner.
To the Students who overcome physical and pyschological handicaps....You are inspiring! You make the best of your circumstances and are pursuing your dreams. My character is superficial when compared to yours.
To my Professors....Thanks for becoming teachers and for your wisdom and encouragement. (a little less homework would be appreciated).
Last but not least....
To my Comm 1010 and my Engl 2010 classmates....Your acceptance and friendship mean so much! Thanks for laughing at my jokes, saying hi to me on campus and sharing your thoughts and insights.
Until next week.....

Day 2 of My Study of Human Behavior

Dear Diary, So, I don't think anyone really noticed or cared that I am now carrying a backpack instead of my laptop bag, but of course, I really paid attention to everyone else's backpack, and spent a great deal of thought comparing mine to every one I saw and I really saw some cute ones (I was especially drawn to the Roxy brand). But then, isn't that human nature? We are never satisfied with what we have and somone always has something better. I also noticed today that everyone seemed to be in a huge hurry, which makes sense because it is getting colder and if you want to warm up with a latte from Starbucks, located in the student center, you better hustle or you'll be late to your next class. However, the hustle and bustle did get me thinking about the big hurry I am in to get through with school as quickly as possible because #1, it is expensive and #2, it is extremely time consuming. After I visited with my advisor yesterday, I did realize that it is probably going to take me three years, not two as previously planned. I decided that maybe that wasn't so bad because I should really enjoy my experience and instead of rushing through classes, I should take the ones that appeal to me and actually learn something. So here is my advice to all you non-middle aged students. Don't rush through school, so you can hurry up and go to work everyday from 8:00-5:00 at a job you may hate. Take time to explore all your options and choose something you will really enjoy doing and then to quote a well-worn phrase, "you'll never work a day in your life." Well, I better hurry up and do my homework.

Psychology

Dear Diary, Today I went to speak to an advisor about changing my major to Psychology, "the study of human behavior." Isn't that what college is all about anyway? I have been studying a lot of behavior this past six weeks as I've been adjusting to my new life... the behavior of others as well as my own behavior. I have already confessed that "fitting in" is a priority for me. As a matter of fact, I noticed another oddity about myself today. I have been carrying my books in my laptop bag and everyone else uses a backpack. I did see one other person with a non-traditional book bag and she did, pardon my expression, look "dorky" (do young people still use this word?) I imagined how I must appear to people, so right after talking to my advisor, I rushed over to Walmart to get a backpack so I could improve my self image. I went to Walmart because there is really no where else to shop in town. Take that back, there is a Payless Shoe Store and I actually went there first, hoping I wouldn't have to go to Walmart because it really isn't my favorite place to shop--there is too much junk and I find that distracting and I always buy something that I really don't need. Long story short, Payless did not have one backpack...too bad because their BOGO sale is in progress. So, then I rushed to Walmart and headed right for the big FASHION sign in the middle of the store, because the backpacks are located under that sign. The sign really should have read YUCK, because I could not find one backpack that I liked or thought was appropriate (didn't really want to carry around Hannah Montana or the cast of High School Musical). So, I resorted to looking at Staples ($79.00 for the same ugly bag I could purchase at Walmart for $17), Cal-Ranch (same bags as Walmart, but they did have some cute cowboy boots, but I'm not really into Western attire) and Albertsons (Hooray I found a red one there for $9). It really wasn't exactly what I wanted, but once I added a red ceramic heart pin that I found in my extremely disorganized jewelry box, it looked pretty stylin'. Can't wait to fit in better tomorrow by lugging around my backpack as opposed to my laptop bag. I'm sure it will make a big difference in how I'm perceived by others. I think I will change my major to Psychology...I'm beginning to understand my behavior better already!

Another Item For My "To Do" List

Dear Diary, Yesterday, I began my seventh week of student life. I feel a lot of pressure: academic pressure and peer pressure, although I guess you can't really consider individuals 30 years younger than yourself to be your peers, but I do. As I was walking across campus in the beautiful crisp autumn air, I started thinking of all the similarities as well as the differences between myself and my fellow classmates. I am sure they are feeling the same pressures to do well academically. As I was observing them scurrying to their next classes, I had an "oh my gosh" moment. I have the the SHORTEST HAIR of any female on campus! How can I be confused for a younger person if I don't have long hair! I immediately thought of solutions to the problem. Hair extensions? No, I priced those once and I couldn't afford them, especially on a student budget. How about a long blonde wig? That probably wouldn't work either, because I am a clutz and I would probably reach up to twirl my hair and accidentally pull it off and then everyone would think I was a fake. Duh, they already know I have short hair, so if I show up to class with long hair, people will already know I'm faking it...then that will ruin the few friendships I've made because they will assume that if I have fake hair, that my personality is also fake, which it certainly is not! I could just wear a hat everyday and maybe no one would notice that I have the shortest hair on campus, but then I would have hat hair when I went to work in the afternoon and if I wore a hat everyday, people might wonder if I am trying to cover something up (like a bald spot) and that would also affect my few friendships because then people would think I am not honest and when I tell someone I really like her shoes, she won't believe me because she won't think I am honest, especially if I am wearing a hat! Speaking of shoes, I think mine fit it pretty well. This is one area where I don't stand out. I even have a pair of Skeechers with glitter on them! I really have a lot of shoes in a variety of styles; however, I have one professor who I think has more shoes than I do. He has a variety of colors that match the different color shirts he wears. Besides thinking he is a great teacher, I also appreciate his sense of style. Anyway, back to my hair. My only alternative is to just let it grow and maybe by the time I am a senior, (meaning a class-rank, not a senior citizen), it will be long and I will look more like the other co-eds. I am putting "grow out my hair" on my to do list, along with "lose 20 pounds" and "get my degree".

Why I'm Blogging

Dear Diary, I became a full time University student on August 24, 2009. I am taking 4 classes and I am the oldest person in each of my classes; yes, even older than my Professors. Adjusting to homework and trying to fit in has been stressful. The students in my classes have been very understanding and I think I am even making some friends. I am on a scholarship and have to keep my grade point at 3.6 to maintain my financial aid. This causes me to feel a lot of pressure. I decided to write a blog to provide encouragement to other non-traditional students, to provide a few laughs for my fellow students, and to help my family and friends understand why I can no longer remember their names or what day of the week it is.