I just got back from a nice day-cation with Shaun.

I just got back from a nice day-cation with Shaun.  We went to the Wynfrey hotel and stayed a night.  Mostly all we did was eat A LOT of tasty food and lounge around like two lumps on a log.  It was great.  It was perfect, actually.  I so desperately needed a break from anything that required me to have responsibility, and it was really nice to have some uninterrupted time with him.  I feel like I haven't seen him much in two years.  Yes, he's around and he helps me tremendously, but dang.  When I'm so busy that I can miss someone who is right in front of my face, that is a problem.  Hopefully the next couple of years at JSU won't be so hard, but even if they are we'll make it through.  We're both working hard and doing our parts to secure our future together.  ❤

All those check marks.

All those check marks.  So satisfying!  🤩🤩🤩

I just got back from JSU.

I just got back from JSU.  I have accommodation letters now.  It feels weird to have them, but since I can't predict the severity of my flare-ups or if / when my hands will decide to crap out on me I think it's best to have back-up plans in place.  Especially since I have no idea when I'll ever get to see a rheumatologist.  😠

I was approved several weeks ago for charity care through UAB.  That would have been post-worthy, I guess, except that I need a referral and the stupid doctor at Quality of Life who had me jump through those hoops to get the charity care stuff set up is not doing it despite several phone calls.  So, I am waiting for a call back from the C.A.R.E.S. clinic, and if that doesn't work I'm going to call my last rheumatologist and see if he will do the referral for me.  I did not go through the trouble of gathering documentation of every financial detail of my life at a most inopportune time only to be shit on now.  It's just NOT happening.  I am not going to let it.

Anyway.  I'm home.  I'm gonna do some housework and run some errands.  Even though I'm out of school and I have no jobs at the moment I am not totally chill.  I wonder why.  😕 /sarcasm

Ok. Mr. Osborn is fast.

Ok.  Mr. Osborn is fast.  I made an 82 on the final, and ANOTHER FREAKING 100 on the re-take of the last test I bombed.  He changes the problems every time, so it's not like I just have to memorize answers or anything.  WOW.  My Calculus III average is a 96!!!

Today was my last day at Gadsden State.

Today was my last day at Gadsden State.  This is a bittersweet feeling.

I started classes there in January of 2015 and went non-stop.  I was never able to go full-time due to work constraints, but I think I made pretty good time.  I remember meeting with my Student Support Services adviser not long after I started classes and saying "I think I want to do Computer Science.  I want a money job and I like tech.  I guess I'll just start and see where it goes."  Little did I know that the farther in I got the more I would want to be there and the more driven I would become.

On one hand it does seem like it flew by (probably because I stayed so busy), but on the other I have felt every minute of this experience, for better or worse.  I have grown so much in ways that I didn't know I could.  But I also sacrificed a lot to make that happen.  I fought tooth and nail to get here - against schedule conflicts, against my body, against my mind, against exhaustion, against all of 2016, against a state government that wants to see me fail, and against just plain and simply missing my loved ones.  There is no more straightforward way to say this:  Sacrifices were made.

Now I've got just under 2 weeks to be ready for JSU.  I'm at least half-way done with my college journey to a Bachelor's Degree, and I'm more motivated than ever to finish.  I did get the transfer scholarship I wanted, I still have the Pell Grant backing me, and I'm going to go full-time.  Work will be freelance and take a back seat to my education.  It is not set in stone, but I've got my eye on graduating in May of 2019.

Anyway, I really appreciate all of the support from my friends and family.  And to my teachers who are on here I am grateful that you were a part of my journey.  Gadsden State will always hold a special place in my heart, and so will you.  I wouldn't have made it this far without you.  ❤

Now, I'm off to eat, do my nails, and anxiously await the posting of final grades!  That never gets old.  😜

If my child...

 

My last final is coming up shortly.