The End is Near! Or is It?

Woohoo!  Only one semester to go.  

Where have I come from?  Where am I now?  Where will I go next?  These questions and more prompted a few thoughts about my adventures in education.

Early explorations...

I remember very clearly the day I decided I to go to paramedic school.  It was the first day of my EMT-Basic class. For those who don't know, there are (or were at that time) three levels of Emergency Medical Technician:  Basic, Intermediate, and Paramedic.  I knew from the beginning I would go all the way.  There was no other option.  It's how I'm made.

Later explorations...

Now, I'm nearing the end of my undergraduate career at the University of New Orleans.  In May, God willing, I will arrive at one end of the stage empty-handed and depart from the other end holding a diploma.  I think of it as the condensed version of a journey which began, in my case, 38 years earlier when I graduated from high school. Is my journey nearing its end?  Maybe not.

Not done yet?

I also remember very clearly the day I decided to go to grad school.  It was my first day of class at UNO. Hustling across campus to find my classroom invigorated me.  Hearing crowds of (mostly) young people excitedly comparing their schedules inspired me.  I was the intrepid world explorer who had returned home at last.  This is where I belonged.  This is where I meant to stay - at least until someone threw me out.

So, here it is at last - grad school.   

The only things standing between me and my next great adventure are a senior honors thesis in philosophy, the 12 hours of classes next semester, and an acceptance letter.

I'm writing statements of purpose.  I'm completing application forms, I'm preparing to take the GRE next month. Last night I attended UNO's graduate school expo and walked away intoxicated on an emotional cocktail of excitement and anxiety with a generous splash of uncertainty.

Will I be accepted?  

Yes.  Probably.  Maybe. I hope so.  We'll see.

Forgive me father for I have sinned...

It's been ages since my last blog post.

I know that was a bit cheesy, especially since I'm not Catholic, but I had to get your attention somehow. I mean, anyone who knows me knows I'm about to leave the U.S. to make clan McKinney's inauspicious return to the motherland: Ireland. It's all I've been talking about for months. My family just wants me to shut up and go already.

The Drama Queen

One of my early dramatic performances:
toddling.

But, it won't be all play and no work. I'm taking two classes while in Ireland: Contemporary Travel Writing and Acting. My mother says I'll breeze right through the acting class, because, according to her, I've been putting on a show all my life. Now what exactly does she mean by that??? I have been accused of being "dramatic" in the past, but that's no reason to imply histrionics on my part. And besides, she's my mom. She's not supposed to get a good chuckle at my expense. Oh, wait. I do that to my kids all the time. Ok, Mom. You're allowed.

 Where was I? Oh, yeah. Going to Ireland. In four days.

Are my bags packed? No. I haven't even washed all the clothes I want to take with me. Have I printed all my boarding passes, hotel confirmations, etc. No. I thought I had, but my printer apparently ignored the request. What have I done to get ready? A whole lot of shopping and cooking.

Blackrock, County Cork, Ireland

Edinburgh Castle

Cooking?

Yes, cooking. I don't want my husband to eat a steady diet of pizza and pot pies while I'm gone (and he would if I let him) so I've been cooking what I like to call "homemade MREs." For those not familiar with post-hurricane survival cuisine or military take-out, MREs are "meals ready to eat." So far, there are 14 containers of food in the freezer - beef stew, chicken cacciatore, coconut curried chicken, spaghetti and meat sauce - all ready to pop into the nuker (read microwave) whenever he gets hungry. There's also a huge pot of gumbo simmering on the the stove right now. Another pot of red beans will round out the menu. And there are pot pies and pizzas in the freezer, too. The man loves them. 

Actually, cooking has been therapeutic. It has given me something to take my mind off of Ireland and the 10-day after party I'll spend touring Edinburgh, London and Paris. It has made the time pass faster. And, of course, I'm happy to repay my hubby dearest for his generous approval of my journey. I get Europe, he gets food. It's a nice compromise and the hallmark of a happy marriage - at least our happy marriage. 

Tower of London

Tonight I'll start washing and packing and printing itineraries. Tomorrow I'll make a journey to the bank for my foreign currency. Did you know you have to order and pre-pay for it a few days in advance? That's just crazy. And don't get me started on the inequities in foreign exchange rates! A trip to my parents' home will also have to be squeezed in somewhere. I installed Skype on their computer, but they don't have a webcam (another shopping trip). So, I have to buy and install the webcam and teach them how to Skype before I can leave the country. 

Panoramic view of Paris

But for now, dear friends, I'm off to the kitchen to sample the gumbo again because one can never sample it enough. Then, yet another shopping trip is in order to buy containers for all that gumbo. Maybe I'll get a mani/pedi while I'm out.  After all, we actresses have to look our best.

Gratitude, Forrest Gump, and One Closet Door

Today marked the end of my third week at UNO, and I've loved every minute of it, but today was especially wonderful.  The clear blue sky, the soft breeze gently warmed by a benevolent sun, the beauty of the campus itself, and the vitality of all the optimistic young people around me were enough to inspire me to profound gratitude. It was just one of those perfect days.




  

I walked back to my room after my last (and favorite) class anticipating the long drive home and my husband's welcoming arms while the theme music to "Forrest Gump" was being subliminally infused into my brain from my mp3 player.  It, along with the beauty of the day, filled me with such emotion that I found myself fighting back the tears.  It's a good thing I was wearing sunglasses.  Otherwise, the young people around me might have seen the old girl losing it.

I could see Forrest sitting alone at the bus stop just after little Forrest had left on the school bus.  I could see him, in his simple way, contemplating how strange, convoluted, and, ultimately, wonderful life can be.  Right on, Forrest!  I'm with you, buddy. Who'd have thought my life, so nearly lost, would or could have taken this turn?  I am still in awe of the circumstances that landed me here.

To top it all off,  I found, upon entering  my room, that maintenance had finally installed one of the mirrored sliding doors that had been missing from my closet since the day I moved in.  On my desk was a note of apology for installing only one door and a promise to try to find another.  One door!  One mirrored sliding door!  I love it.  It's simply the way life is: imperfect, but surprising - sometimes pleasantly.  I spent a few minutes dancing in front of that mirrored door.  Life is meant to be celebrated.


Unfortunately, the broken toilet seat hadn't been repaired, but that's okay.  Today I got a closet door.  Today I got.....today.  Another day.  And it was a beauty.  Lord, O Lord, I am so grateful!

*Sniff, dry eyes, go home.*

College Life: So Far, So Good

Whew!  What a day!
Okay, so I was rather hyper.  I woke up at 5 a.m. yesterday, drank three cups of coffee, flat-ironed my crazy hair, spent almost an hour applying makeup, threw the last minute things in the last bag, finished loading the truck, kissed my husband goodbye about 1,000 times, dried a few tears (mindful not to smudge my carefully applied makeup that later melted in the heat) and was on the road by 8:20 a.m.  Then I drove down to Covington (45miles) to pick up my sister, and off we went across the Lake Ponchartrain Causeway to the "big city" (another 35 miles). Yes, I'm still a country girl...always will be.  The back end of my husband's truck was totally loaded down with stuff, but it all fit surprisingly well in my room.  More on that later.  The woman at the causeway toll booth looked at my load and asked if it was all tied down.  She gave me a rather dubious glance when I assured her all of it was pretty heavy and I didn't think even the causeway cross-winds could blow it out.  She let me go, and, fortunately, I didn't lose anything.

The "Before" look.  All boxes, no organization.

Arrival at UNO was fun. 
My room is in the south hall.  Room check-in was in the north hall.  My truck was full of stuff anyone could steal (if they were strong enough or had friends to help).  My poor little sister pulled the unfortunate duty of guarding the truck in the heat while I signed in.  She got free ice cream as a reward, so it wasn't all bad. And I have to give a big shout out to UNO for being very organized.  Getting thru the sign-in process was a breeze and when it was time to unload the truck, my sister and I didn't have to lift a finger.  A swarm of pink-shirted young men and women descended upon us as soon as I parked in the south hall parking lot.  They came armed with a big rolling cart and absolutely delightful personalities.   I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with them.  If their attitude is a harbinger of things to come, I think I'm going to love it here.

Cozy and colorful to offset all that beige.

Everyone was as nice as could be.
It wasn't just the "pink shirts" who were nice.  My roommates, well the 2 out of 3 that I've met, seem super sweet.  You know that guy named Lazlo in the movie "Real Genius" who lives below the school and enters his hideout through a closet in Val Kilmer's room?  That's my third roommate.  I'm told by one of my other roommates that she's seen her, but as yet I've not seen her.  Her door is always closed and the light is off.  I'm wondering if she has a secret entrance in her closet to an underground hideout.

I digress.

The young lady at the front desk who helped me get my internet connection set up was great, too.  Other students I met in the hall were wonderful.  Even the parents I met were a pleasure.  The universal comment I heard from all the parents was, "This place is really nice.  Much nicer than I expected."

My workspace.  May it be productive!

And that about sums it up...
This place really is nicer than I expected.  I hope I still feel that way  once the novelty wears off.  This coming week is "Welcome Week" and there is a host of planned activities I can take part in if I so choose.  Tonight is a "cookout" in the dormitory courtyard.  Free food!  Yes, I think I'll make it to that one.  In the meantime, I'm off to try to get my books and parking decal, find all my classrooms, and just get a good sense of the place.  Exploration day!

My sweetheart little sister, Eileen.

P.S.  The pictures illustrate the conversion of my drab little room (beige walls, door, floor, blinds) to a colorful, cozy little nest.  I couldn't have done it without my little sister, Eileen.  She got all misty-eyed with happiness for me and for having the opportunity to share this experience with me.  My family is the best!

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go....

I'm leaving in a Chevy truck...

I know it doesn't sound as poetic as "leaving on a jet plane," and unlike the late, great John Denver, who originally penned those lines, I know (God willing) when I'll be back again.  But, babe I still hate to go.  I move into my room at UNO tomorrow, and as excited as I am about this new adventure, I'm already missing my hubby.  I've cooked some of his favorite meals and stored them in the freezer.  He won't starve.....at least for the first week.  After that, once the studying sets in, well...he just may have to learn how to cook. 

"Okay, Mom.   Tomorrow's the big day.  I'm heading off to college."

My parents spent most of the day with us.  Mom looked at the huge pile of stuff I planned to take with me and asked if there was anything I wasn't taking.   Ha Ha!  But she laughed when I said the words above.  She recognized the irony.  Those words were 35 years in coming.  And, characteristic of the wonderful mother she's always been, she admonished me to be careful.  "I know you're gonna do fine.  I just worry about you being in the city.  It's such a terrible place."  Oddly, that was what she said 35 years ago, and I, the naive little country girl, was terror-stricken.  Those words definitely contributed to my decision not to pursue my degree straight out of high school.

"Stop hyperventilating!"

Also my mother's words.  Good advice.  I'm excited.  I'm a little apprehensive.  I'm definitely over-packing.  I'm making lists of everything as I pack it.  I'm trying to be organized.  List-making is keeping me focused and the packing is keeping my head busy.   Hubby Dearest just shakes his head. 

"Are you nervous?" 
"I wasn't....until you asked! 

There goes something else into the pile. 

Really, is there anything I'm not taking?   Yes.  It's him.

My Husband is Dating a College Girl!

It's official!  I'm a college girl.
I've got my student ID to prove it.  It's not a great picture (my hair looks green!), but ID photos never are.  It didn't help that we took the campus tour in the heat and humidity before our pictures were taken.  It looks like my green hair is trying to suffocate me! I got my ID at the transfer student orientation I attended at UNO this week.  It was great!  I was a little self-conscious about being the oldest student there, but everyone was very welcoming.  I met several new people and learned some valuable things about the school and the various organizations I could join.   I don't think the sororities are for me, but I was very impressed with the service coalition.  Student government sounded interesting, too.  I also met with advisors from the Business and Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) departments.  I really liked Gerard in IDS.  He's the one who told me my husband can now brag about dating a college girl.  My husband got a kick out of that.  It was a perk he hadn't considered.

One very important thing I learned from the campus tour
was how tiring all that walking and stair climbing can be.  I've decided to get to the gym as often as I can before I move to UNO so I can build up my stamina and rev up my metabolism.  Of course, I can't work out very hard, but every little bit helps.  I'm happy to report that UNO has a great fitness center with all the amenities free to students.  I hope to make that one of my favorite campus haunts.

Anticipation is killing me!
Move in day is four weeks from today and classes start on August 22nd.  I can't wait!  I still haven't received my housing assignment, but I've gotten two emails promising the assignments will go out soon.  I was allowed to tour the dorm, so I have an idea how my cell, er....room, will look.  It's tiny, but it's private.  There are four bedrooms, two baths, and a common room in each quad.  I'll have to share a bath, but only with one other person.  I've been collecting things to take with me when I move in.  I don't know how I'll get it all in there!  Should be interesting.   I think a crash course in minimalist living is in my future.

A Girl Reconstructed: Me 2.0: The Men in My Life: A Group Hug

A Girl Reconstructed: Me 2.0: The Men in My Life: A Group Hug