I am Officially 34

At the Acupuncturist Soaking My Feet

Yesterday was my 34th birthday. At 5:29 pm, I turned 34 years old. Being home for 10 years and analyzing what I have done with my time. Have you ever done something for 10 years? Before I get in to that let me tell you about my birthday. I went to the acupuncturist and got a foot massage, had lunch at the Butler's Pantry. For lunch, a shrimp salad, and potato salad, the table was reserved. Movies The Land of the Lost was interesting. Got some Carlos Santana shoes and dinner at the new Houlihan's. My birthday was relaxing and fun and not over the top. I truly enjoyed my birthday! Thank you!

Reflexology Foot Massage

For the next four months I must continue to pay off the debts I have. Working the after-school and Saturday programs will bring in some extra cash. Just using what I have. Growing up and realizing that there is still more to come. Reading how people travel, live healthier, retire early, make money, and enjoy life, seems to be something that I want for myself. Knowing how to achieve it is half the problem. I know what to do to get the things that I want out of life, but I wonder if I have the focus to actually get it done. To be honest, I have done many things, but one thing I have been told I am afraid of is success. Sometimes I think that to be true. Still haven't gotten my passport. Have the application and taken the picture, but haven't had the money to send it off.

Reflexology Foot Massager

Things happen for a reason and you may never know what that reason is. Waste money for nothing! Why does it always end up that way? There is so much that I want for myself and a short time to get it. Ultimately, I am going to own 10 rental properties! Preferably, duplexes. While I am working, I will pay off Wachovia and the US Dept of Education. Once they are taken care of, I should be able to apply for Teacher Loan Forgiveness.

Shrimp with Potato Salad and Frosted Brown with Strawberries

I just want to live comfortably. Having the things that I want! A green home on 5-10 acres of land. The more houses, I have the cash I will generate. Teaching online is another option for me. What to do once I obtain the PhD? What are my next steps? I have told myself to start applying to a variety of online programs just to see what I can find. Working online would benefit me. The online learning environment is less intrusive. That would be perfect! No face to face interaction.

A Couple of Gifts

It never seems to be enough time, my mind is always thinking of the next best thing. Staying focused has really become an issue. On the Internet, watching tv, talking on the phone, and texting all at the same time. Slow down, think of the things that are important. Also want to get acupuncture and take yoga at least once a month. Not getting any younger. Just want to live better. Take all of the things I know and put them together to make this outstanding woman. Will that actually work? It would if I could just pull it together.

By the way, I am overdrawn in my account. Didn't see that coming. August was something financially for me, this will come to pass. Waiting to hear something back from Walden about my financial aid. My GPA is a 3.39 and my rate of completion is a 67.8%. All I need to know is yes, I will receive financial aid. This will save me $4,000 by the end of 2009, but that will be more money I'll owe back once I finish school. How can I make the money back that I have spent on school?

Looking at my finances overall, I am in a good place. It is frustrating when I want something and I can not get it. I have to put myself in a position where I am financially able to do the things that I want, when I want to. Paying cash for items instead of having them financed. That is the point that I am waiting for. Not living above my means, but living comfortably.

This is another random thoughts, not completely finished, but how I feel right now about what is going on in my life. Which is so much, the birthday weekend was wonderful and I am glad to have seen another year. Hopefully, it will be many more. What I can do is enjoy everyday like it is my last. Not worry and stress over things I can not control that is what I am striving to do. Also make a little money well I am at it. There is so much that I want to learn about life, money, happiness, and just being.

Thank you for this platform to post my feelings and view. I will achieve financial freedom and I will not be to old to enjoy my harvest. Continue to live life to the fullest and never do anything in excess. I didn't mean to rumble, I just needed to say what was on my mind.

I Think I am Getting Fed Up

Hello, it has been a long time coming. This school term is coming to an end. I don't have all of my grades, but in one class I have a 98.8. Hopefully all of my grades are good. Using this blog for my distance education course has been helpful, but it has taken away from my posting on the blog.

Things that have been Going On
Work started back the beginning of this month, this has been really tiring for me. As a matter of fact, I am tired right now. Just getting back into the swing of getting up at 6:00 am, taking a shower, to make it to work by 7:30 am, and be on duty by 7:40 am. Staying at work until 4:00 pm Monday through Friday for 180 days, does take a toll on the body. Not only that, dealing with middle school age children and co-workers can be stressful.

Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy my job and am proud to have one. Teaching for 9 years, the time has flown by. I have said time and time again, that I want another job. Thinking about it, going through the interview process can be more stressful then the actual job itself. To some degree I feel that I can't do anything else. I don't know, it is somewhat discouraging being in a position that you want to change, but don't have the motivation to change it.

Working for 9 years has given me money to do the things that I want. Truthfully, I am not where I want to be. Using My Financial Success has allowed me to organize my finances and be able to pay off my debts and get my bills to under $500 a month. That took time and dedication.

July and August have been very intense months financially for me. There have been some things that I was trying to do, that took away from my savings. Still recouping from that. Also, having to pay for school made a big change in my life. Mentally, I have gotten to a point that I am tired of being in school and really need to do what it takes to get it done. Today ends this term. Now, there are only 3 courses, 3 KAMs, 2 residencies, and 1 dissertation until I am done. So looking forward to that.

Currently, I had to go into my savings, which is fine. Reorganizing my finances has been something that I needed to do for the betterment of me. For the last few years I have been saying 40 retire. Well, that is 6 years from now. I also said that at the end of this school year I would not renew my contract. I don't see that. What will happen is work until school is done. I don't know how long it will be before I am able to receive financial aid. If I am unable to get it I will continue to pay for school. If I am able to get it, I will use it and that will be more money coming to me. That is a true catch twenty-two.

My Bill's
Wachovia $100.00 ($2,555.57)
US Dept of Edu $25.00 (13,402.56)
Knology $ $70.04
Mediacom $93.94
Braces $109.00
Geico
credit card $50.00
tax lien $990.00 ($5,500)

Plans for the Future
Of course, I have to pay for school that is a priority. I also had to borrow money from my mom that will be paid back at the end of this month. I still haven't paid anything on the tax lien. My portion will be paid at the end of this month too. Don't go to the beach this summer. I plan to go for Labor Day just need some type of relaxation.

Sometimes I can't see the forest for the trees. That's neither here nor there.
Walden University: $2,000 per month (October and November)
savings: $2,000 per month (September, December, and January)

Giving instructions is something that I enjoy, but I don't know what the future holds for education nor our youth. The teacher has been tasks with so many objectives that teaching really is the last thing that there is to do. I know I will not put in 25 years in the classroom. I am already tired and school just started. To me, my out is real estate. 10 properties by the time I am 40. There has to be a better way. There is it is just up to me to make it happen.

If this has seemed jumbled or just not fluid forgive me, this is how I feel right now. These are random thoughts that need to be put into action. In the words of Tim Gunn, I will make it work.

Video Presentation on Gender Issues in Distance Education

In my Principles of Distance Education course we had to do a video presentation. My presentation is on Gender Issues in Distance Education. Our objective is to introduce the keynote speaker at a conference in reference to our topic. Below is my video introducing Dr. Brandon Johnson.

Gender Issues in Distance Education

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