Graduate School :-( or :-) ?

There's nothing like going home to give you a new perspective on an old problem.

For months now, I have been deliberating over whether to begin working full time or go to grad school. I got an e-mail Saturday from the graduate coordinator at University of Arkansas. He said that I was officially accepted into the masters of science in mathematics prorgram at UA, but that I didn't get an assistantship. (This struck me as funny, because I never acutally turned in an application for one...) Anyway, I got online and actaully looked at the course schedule for next fall. It looks like I can get away with only having classes MWF. That means only commuting three days a week, and being able to work part time TT. I also found out that I still have some educational funds available to pay for this. I realize all of this sounds great, like everything is going my way.

The problem is that I have serious doubts about my ability to do the math required in a masters program. I didn't choose math as a major because I am incredibly good at it, or even because I particularly enjoy it. I choose it because I knew there was a shortage of math teachers. I love to teach. Anything. I would have been happy teaching English or Science or whatever. Math was just one option among many. It worked out fine during my undergraduate studies. Once I changed my major to math, I got only 1 B (I got Bs in Calc II and III, but I was a music major while I was taking them). Once I start my masters though, the classes are going to be very different. Modern algebra (the only class I got a B in) was completely incomprehensible to me, and it is the foundation for most of the stuff you do in grad school. It is all theory and proofs with very little application (the part I was good at). I know I need a masters in math (not eduation) if I ever want to teach at the college level. I just don't want to waste my time and money on something beyond the scope of my abilities.

I also want to start teaching. I mean, I went to school for 3 1/2 years and now it's like - your degree isn't good enough: get another. I love being in the classroon and working with students. If the school I am subbing at right now offered me a full time job for next year, I would want to take it. I just don't know what to do.

On a happier note, I had a great time seeing the fam and hanging with Heather. We conquered many pictures, postcards, tickets, and brochures. I now have over 100 scrapbook pages completed. Only 200 more to go! ;-) I am planning on being in Bossier again in two weeks to celebrate Heather's b-day, Brian's grandpa's 70th bday, and mother's day. Ah... killing so many birds with one stone.

On a final note, have you heard of Matisyahu? Hisidic Jew Reggae Rap. Screaming fans throw sheets with holes in them up on the stage. Need I say more?
http://www.hasidicreggae.com/

Leave a comment. Give me advice about the whole grad school thing. Have a great week. Long days and pleasent nights.

No place home...

As you get older, time goes faster. It seems like Brian and I just got back from Dallas, but I am already packing to go somewhere else this weekend. Granted, I am leaving on Thursday instead of Friday, but the week has flown by.

I am going home to Bossier this weekend to see my mom receive her Student of the Year award at LSUS. She is so awesome :-)

I am greatly looking forward to seeing my family and hanging out with Heather. She and I are going to CREATE. That's the plan at least. I am thinking about joining the webcomic wagon, and she is going to help me out. I also have a suitcase (yes a whole suitcase) full of scrapbooking paraphanalia. It is 3x the size of the suitcase of clothes and other necessities I am taking with me.

I will probably update again after I get back. LAVA for everyone!

Dallas, Keys, and Goldfish

Brian and I went to Dallas this weekend.
(actually we are still there :-)) <<-Smiley w/ double chin?

One thing about the working world that is very different from college is that you can't skive off classes and work is never cancelled. Unless I go home by myself, we never get out of town until 6:00 at the earliest. It takes a whole night off of a visit because everyone we love lives so far away :-( We had a lot of fun anyway.

Yesterday, we went to a store called Sam Moon. For those of you who have never had a Sam Moon experience, imagine that you are watching the discovory channel. You know that rotting carcass with thousands of flies swarming all over it? That is the attitude and atmosphere of this store... at least on a Saturday morning. It was SOOOOOOOO crowded. Flies drive from other states to feed on this carcass. What do they sell you ask? Purses... Weaves... gawdy jewelry... suitcases worthy of Rita Skeeter (lady bug patterns- 8 piece set)... Brian's mom found a nice purse though. He and I had to go outside and escape the buzzing.

We then went shopping and I lost my keys. This is a common occurance. I have been known to loose my keys on a VERY regular basis (several times a day). However, because they are usually somewhere around the house, it's just not that big of a deal. Yesterday though, it happened while we were shopping at random places. I didn't realize what had happened until we got back to Brian's mom's house. We then had to drive 30 mins back into town to retrace our stores. Luckily, Old Navy had them :-) After this rather alarming incident, I finally broke down and purchaced a purse big enough to hold my keys.

I should explain about my purse issues. I am a goldfish when it comes to purses, bags, luggage and houses. I expand to fit the size of my container. For the last several months, I have used a very small grown up purse. This forced me to carry only what I absolutely needed. This keeps me from having to dig around every time I need something, and keeps my neck pain free. Brian's mom kept trying to get me to choose a bigger purse. I finally settled on a slightly bigger purse... and am already thinking of all the things I can fill it with- it's so empty!!!

I may be coming to Bossier this weekend. Who will be in town?

POST A COMMENT!!! :-)

Edit:

Well, Brian and I got home at 10:00ish. We left Brian's mom's house at 3:30, but had to go pick Sinatra up from the groomers, get some Starbucks, get lost in the never ending stripmalls, and be thwarted by "no U-turn" signs. All is good though. Peace be with you.

The Crest

When I was younger, I practically lived outside. I would come home and fly straight through the house and into the backyard, embarking on planned adventures and explorations. I hated rainy days and anything that kept me from tearing around the great outdoors.

As I grew, I became content with just looking. I was often prevented from staying outside because of my allergies. I would literally hold my breath as I ran to a friends house down the street because the pollen count was high that day. As ridiculous as it may sound, this was the beginning of the end to my childhood adventures. It is much harder to explore the great indoors.

Being deprived of constant exposure to Nature left a void I have only recently realized existed. These days, I get my fixes from, well, taking the scenic route. I take my puppy to the park nearly every day. I do it as much for myself than for him. Without a nature fix, I get cranky. ;-) Because of these frequent trips, I watched the season change with stealth, only to have its cover blown after a couple days of rain.

When we moved to Fort Smith, everything was brown and kinda ugly. But there was potential. The skeletons of trees covered the city. Occasional low mountains broke up the gently rolling hills. And then it rained...

GREEN. Everywhere. Things that were once visible from the highway are completely obstructed by foliage. The difference is amazing. The drive to and from work is calming and breathtaking. It lifts my spirits every time I notice. Spring has positively transformed this town. These days, Spring is my favorite season. That may change soon though. Summer is coming soon.

I love scenic routes. I get thrills, butterflies, when I crest a hill and see what is on the other side. I think it drives Brian up the wall, but every time we drive together to the park to walk Sinatra, I “ooo” and “ahh” at the gorgeous view. Because it's different and beautiful every time.

Here's a challenge. Next time you drive somewhere, stop speeding, turn off your cell phone, turn down the music, and just look. You may be surprised what you see.

First Post!

I've finally stopped being lazy about this whole blogger thing. Maybe it's peer pressure... or maybe I've had so many facinating and funny things happen lately that I feel the need to share them with the world... heck who am I kidding, I just want to be like everyone else.

;-)

So... this is my blog. Nothing too interesting... I will probably post something long and thoughtful later today.

Edit:

Ok, it's later ;-)

So many crazy thing have happened in the last several months. Brian and I are now living in Fort Smith, Arkansas with a very enthusiastic and very cute shih tzu puppy named Sinatra. Brian is a computer programer at Datatronics. I am currently subbing at River Valley Christian School, and am deciding what I want to do next year (grad school or teaching).

Brian may be posting here too... or he can also stop being a lazy butt and get a blog himself.