I am excited to announce to all of you some major changes I am about to make in my life.
So major, my life will be almost completely different in a few weeks than it is now.
Earlier this year I knew I was going to be cutting back on weddings and events and needed to find another full time job to supplement my income. Going back into the workforce looking for a new career to be honest was not something I was enjoying because I have worked for myself for so many years. Even before that, I had jobs with nice positions that allowed great flexibility.
As I searched it seemed that every job I would enjoy, or do great in were jobs that required education beyond my current Associate of Science Degree.
After one particular discouraging day I was talking to a friend and she suggested I go back to school. While this has always been something I have wanted to do, I haven't pursued it because of the high costs associated with it. Although to be honest I've attempted it or wanted to attempt it many times over the past 10 years.
She mentioned that she had spend a lot of time applying for different grants and walked away with a nice sum towards her education. She suggested I may have a very good chance at grants because of being a (little) older, a woman and a small business owner.
While I thought this would be awesome to do, I was pretty sure even if I did qualify for some I couldn't afford to go locally as full time tuition runs high.
After that same conversation I was talking with my mom and she asked if I had checked the costs at the University I had graduated at back in 2005. At first I didn't want to, because that would mean moving. But on a whim I did. The costs were much lower and because it only cost $10 to register and I wasn't sure if anything would come of it, I decided $10 wasn't much to loose so I registered and added their name to all the grant applications.
Now I won't bore you with the details between February and now.
But life has a funny way of working out, when something is meant to be it is just meant to be. Recently everything fell into place, and well to leave it short and to the point without getting too specific, I will be moving to Southern Utah in a few weeks. (Yes I know I just gave a pre-quel to my after the fact blogging - decided to make an exception at this time.) ha ha.
Those grants I mentioned, well without getting to detailed lets just say I qualified for enough to pay for ALL my tuition, books and a little rent for an entire year. If I keep my grades up they will continue into my second year as well. YAY
After a lot of searching I found an apartment, that I am actually moving into sight unseen (Scary but I think it will be okay). Not even sure if it will be ready by the time I need it. I may have to hole up in a hotel for a few days. Although, they are trying hard to get it all painted, new carpeted and ready for me if they can.
It's in a nice area, it's a little more money than I wanted to spend. But sometimes safety and clean and nice are worth the extra $$$.
I've got my major declared (Will be doing a double major - Digital Design and Recreation Management in the Integrated Bachelors Program), a full class schedule. All I need now is a part time job, but I will work on that when I get down there.
Blogging actually helped me get to skip one of the pre-requisites classes. I'm not even kidding.
I was asked to submit some of my published work in Newspapers and some research report type writings. I dug through past blog posts, found a few that would fit. Cleaned those babies up, polished them with some extra care that sadly sometimes I don't have time to check for as I blog and write and then sent them off.
The department head liked them and allowed me to skip based on writing skill and previous life experience and this is allowing me to immediately start right into the Bachelors programs and the classes that count towards it.
I may be a little older, but sometimes age is irrelevant and in this case it is. Bettering yourself and your potential for your future is never a bad thing. Yes I will be quitting all of my jobs, and I will be leaving my Wedding/Event company behind for a few years. Scary yes, but it's scary in a good way!
Truthfully I am really going to miss my family. My sisters and I are all like best friends, we hand out and have a lot of fun often through the week. Of course you know I am the "self proclaimed" worlds greatest aunt. So leaving all my sweet nieces and nephews is very tough for me. Plus I have awesome parent, as awesome as they come. But I have made them all promise to come and visit me often.
Thankfully I am moving to a vacation town that my entire family enjoys visiting often in the spring, fall and winter months to warm up from the cold temps and snow up north. I am offering them a free place to stay when they visit, with swimming pool and hot tubs so they better come!
I've made many of my friends promise to come so we can go hiking in the surrounding National Parks. On the plus side, I have a few friends living there that I am looking forward to seeing. I'm a people person, so I know I will make new friends quick.
In the end I know this will all be worth it and I am looking forward to this new adventure and what the future may bring.
This news is why you may not see me much in the blogging world over the next few weeks, as I get things prepared and ready to make my big move. But no, I will not stop blogging, I actually plan to take it up more and steady again once I get moved and settled in school. You can laugh at this, but since I will be a poor college student for a few years. I am going to see if I can't use my blogging and social media income to pay for all my food through college. I think it will work out, we shall see!
I plan on sharing my journey with you. My blog interests won't change much, as I am still who I am. I am a running working on getting back into running marathons again. I am a hiker and adventure seeker and where I am moving there is plenty to see and do to keep me occupied between classes and studies.
But one new thing will be my journey going back to school, and the experiences I have. I've been tempted in turning my blog into more of a day in the life of this blogger. But we will see, I want to get settled first before I begin making any major blog schedule/post changes.
Okay, so if you actually read through my little mini novel above. Thank you, if you didn't no worries I totally understand! I only just recently broke the news to my extended family and friends and my employer. Once that was done, I knew I wanted you all to be next in line.
Thank you for all your loyal readership, I really do enjoy each and every one of you. I am excited about what is to come, and look forward to sharing my new and hopefully very healthy college lifestyle with you all!
