schoooool's out!! for! evah!!!!

 

 This was Sadira, many many moons ago, helping me write a paper. :)

9. Complete my Masters program. - DONE!

Well, it's official.  My semester ended last week and grades were posted on Thursday.  I am OFFICIALLY finished my Masters program, praisetheLordinheaven!!  I'll be honest, there were a few times I wanted to throw the towel in and say forget it, because honestly between full time work, full time school and full time mommy, I was FULL TIME EXHAUSTED.  But luckily I have friends who kick my butt and call me out when I'm being ridiculous.  So here I am.  FINISHED.

I started my Masters program in January 2007.  It was SUPPOSED to be a two year thing.  I decided on a Masters in Health Care Administration cause it just made sense with my experience.  I had no desire to go back to school, but my dad kicked my ass, and my mom said DO IT NOW.  So I listened to my parents, for once.

Two months after I started my program, we found out Sadie was on the way.  And in my Fall, with another full month of school in my semester, Sadie was born.  It was definitely interesting adjusting to life with a newborn and finishing off a semester.

The next year I went part time instead of full time.  Which tacked on another year.  It was worth it, though.  I got to enjoy my baby without being completely bogged down with school requirements.

Last December I finished off my Masters in Health Care Administration and I was 99.999% positive I was FINISHED.  But the opportunity to do a dual Masters presented itself.  I wasn't going to do it, but after talking it over with friends and family (who once again kicked my ass), I decided it was worth it. For one extra year of school I could earn an MBA in addition to my MHA.  I knew it was worth it.  If I ever wanted to go back in the future for an MBA it would take a lot longer than one additional year, and I'd have to go through the whole application process again.

So, begrudgingly, I signed up.

And now it's a year later.  I'm not gonna lie, this extra degree KICKED.MY. BUTT.  My background is in science, NOT business...so lots of these concepts were totally new to me.

And then last week--MY LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL--I had the ULTIMATE week from hell.

No, I'm not being dramatic.

Any good procrastinator will tell you that the last week of school is do or die time.  The final group project, the final paper, any outstanding assignments...they all HAVE to be completed in that last week.  I started my last week in similar fashion---I had a research paper to finish, a group project to finish, and an assignment that was overdue from the week before that I needed to complete.

Oops.

So when Monday rolled around and my car wouldn't start, I worried that this was NOT the right way to start my last week of classes EVER.  AAA came to the rescue, though, so all was fixed...right?

Not so fast.

On Tuesday I got a call from my daycare provider that Sadie was throwing up.  Great.  So as soon as I could get out of work I rushed home to get her...and she kept puking....for HOURS.  I had a project for work that I HAD to finish that night, so as soon as Brian could come home and take over Sadie duty, I had to go BACK to work...until almost 9pm.  Gross.

The next day, Wednesday, I was driving into work in a downpour when, while stopped at a red light, a car ended rear-ended another car next to me, and one of the cars ended up sliding into my car, denting my side panel.  GREAT.

That evening I finally thought I'd be able to get some of my work finished; however that was put on pause when I came home and came down with the same stomach virus Sadie had the day before.

Have I mentioned that I have a fear of puking? UGH.  Horrible.  Thus started the most disgusting 12 hours of my life.

The next day, Thursday, I was exhausted.  But I HAD SO MUCH SCHOOLWORK TO DO.  I also had a ton of projects for work that had to be completed. I worked from home as best I could.  That night I was in bed by 7pm.

Which brought me to Friday.  I had plans with some girlfriends to get together for a crafty night.  But, sadly, I had to cancel to get my work done.  So I hit the books and after hours and hours of work...going into Saturday and even Sunday...I FINISHED.

It was a pretty glorious feeling, especially after the week I'd had..but I wouldn't let myself celebrate until I had official grades in hand.   And this Thursday, it became OFFICIAL.

I'm FINISHED.

And it feels AMAZING.

Sincerely,

Nasrene M. M., MHA, MBA.