Get the reference?

Anyway, sorry for the large absence in posting.  This term was unusually busy for me.  Especially towards the end.  Note to self: NO MORE self-paced online classes! Never again.

Some thoughts from this term:

-Who would have thought economics would be so interesting to me.  It was probably a mix of learning something completely new and the challenge it presented.
-Sociology was interesting, really writing intensive, and not as fun as I thought. It would be different if I didn’t have to write 10 papers in a week and a half I suppose.
-I love being successful at school. When I was younger it was a constant source of stress because I was always struggling to get decent grades. What a different five years makes.

Baseball season and the things that go with it: Red Sox games, Fantasy Baseball, Don and Remy
Summer. Going to the Sandy with inner tubes
The Convergence conference that I decided to go to at the last minute: http://womensconvergence.com/
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Free piles that always show up when the weather is dry

It’s to exclamation points.  In emails, status updates, posting on my online class message board.

I! JUST! CAN’T! HELP! IT!

Why can’t I stop?

With that being said, this post is about networking. 5 years ago, heck even 1 year ago, I would have ignored that word. However in the last few months I’ve started to realize how important it is.. to make new friends, meet people with the same interests, learn new things, to help you be successful. Personally I think it’s totally intimidating. I have a serious rejection complex hidden inside and the fear that I’ll be laughed at for my endeavors has kept me from ‘networking’. Now through the (relative) anonymity of twitter and facebook I’ve started to reach out my little tentacles into the world, trying to find new people who are worship leaders.. people I can learn from, collaborate with, etc. Since I’ve been accepted in the online world, I’m trying (forcing) myself to do it in real life. And you know what? It’s not so bad, really. Once I got past the awkward meeting and greeting I’ve started to connect with real live people.

I think I’m starting to grow up.

today I want to say… economics is very challenging for me. very.

Can anyone help?

First – Last term I sat next to a barely turned 18 year old just out of high school.  In front of me sat a 45 year old mother.  My classmates come from all different places in life, most of who I’d never run across if not for schooling.   It’s hard to relate to people who live with their parents.  Really hard.

Second – Taking 100-200 level classes at my age (27) is humbling.  Many of my friends are well along in their professional careers.  I won’t lie, it makes me feel inferior, stupid and lazy.  None of which are true for me at this point in my life, but it’s a bit embarrassing to tell people I’m going to a community college.

Even though things are weird, embarrassing and awkward the thing is for me- I wouldn’t have been able to be successful at school just out of high school.  At that point in my life I was dealing with crazy relationships, parents divorcing and a very alcoholic, suicidal and generally out-of-her-mind mother.

So, the point being- I’m doing my very best to hold my head up high around my friends, do my best, and be happy that I am in a place where I can be successful with my schooling.

I’ve always wondered I had anything to say, and I’m about to find out. I have a semi-failed blog already but I’m taking it down and giving myself a fresh start.

My goal – 5 posts a week.  Sunday-Thursday.  For a year.

I’m doing this for me- of course I’m overly obsessed with what others think about what I think (who isn’t?!) but I’m trying very hard to make this both an outlet for my creative self and a place to (hopefully!) connect with people who are interested in the same kind of things I am.

Here’s to new ventures!