The First Day On Campus(As A Graduate Student)

I went on campus on 8/19/08, to buy my books. It was so much fun, just being on campus! My books came to $300, which was only three books. I also bought three WSU tee shirts. I got my Shocker Card, which required me taking a picture. If I had of known that, I would have tried to look a little better. I was surprised that the university is so large. I am glad that I am in shape, because I will be doing a lot of walking! I plan to start learning about the WSU web site, which is the major source of receiving information about classes, etc. My last day at work is 8/29/08! I can hardly wait!

Admitted!!!!!!

I have not posted for awhile, because I went back to work, submitted my resignation on 8/4/08. I gave two week notice, but they asked me to stay until the end of the month. My last day will be 8/29/08. During my vacation, I completed my application for admission to the graduate program, had all required paperwork, and was left to wait about an admission decision. I was starting to get a little jittery, when I had not heard anything about my admission, after returning to work from my vacation. I called the graduate program on 8/11/08, and was told that all my paperwork had been received, and I would get a response in two weeks. I did not receive any info, and classes begin on 8/21/08. I decided to go to the campus today. I was told that I had been admitted on 8/12/08. I met with Dr. Birzer, and selected my classes. Two of my classes are on line, and the third class is on campus. I waited to speak to a financial aid counselor, and was told to re-submit my application, correcting a minor error. When I came home from campus, I registered for my classes on line. I am so happy!!!!!! I have seven more work days, and then I will be a full time student! My exit interview is on 8/27/08, which happens to be my first day of class!

Transcripts Arrive!!

Yeah! Both of my outstanding transcripts arrived in the mail. I completed the application for admission in the morning when I woke up. I mailed the personal statement and the application. Both should arrive at WSU on Monday. I was very pleased with the grades on my transcripts. I hope to get my admission letter before the week is out. I have one more week of vacation left. I have gotten a lot of rest. I haven't felt this good in a long time!

My Personal Statement

I have been having a good vacation. I wrote my personal statement earlier this week. Reggie called New York to have my transcript sent to WSU. I will fill out my application on line in the morning. I will mail out the statement on Monday, so the transcript from New York will have a chance to get to WSU. I have received some calls from some of my friends from work, inquiring about how my vacation is going. That was nice! I have one more week of vacation before I go back to work. It is hard to believe that I will be resigning when I return. I am looking forward to completing the enrollment process so that I can choose my classes!

Time For A Vacation

I had to go to the office to finish last minute stuff, before my vacation would begin. People in the office noticed how happy I was. They thought it was because of my vacation, which was true, but they don't know that when I go back on 8/1/08, I will be giving my two week notice! I was on the computer most of the day, after getting home from work. I plan to enjoy every day of my vacation!

My Day On Campus

I went to WSU today, to talk to the Director of the Criminal Justice program. I was so pleased when he told me that I should have very little problem, getting admitted to the graduate program. We talked about my past educational and work experience, admission process, and opportunites in the field. He even said that he would waive the references requirement, since I had worked at my job for so many years. He also said the personal statement only needed to be a couple of paragraphs. Wow!!!!! I am so pumped! Here is a picture of the director:





Here are some pictures that I took while I was on campus:

Self Discipline

I woke up a little late today, and had to call my first appointment to let him know that I was running late. After completing the appointment, I received a call from the office, informing that I needed to come in and enter some computer info. That is the last thing I needed to happen, because my morning was not going to smoothly. When I got to the office, I was "watched" as I entered the info into the computer. This is one of the reasons that I have to get away from this job!
I sent an e-mail to the head of the Criminal Justice program at WSU, at lunch time, and received a reply from him a few hours later. I was so excited, because he will be in the office on 7/17/08, and I will be able to meet with him about the program. He sounded like it is possible to get into the program this semester, after I have been admitted to the graduate program. I am eager to get this thing started!!!!

Strange Monday

I got up this morning, really not wanting to go to work. I was glad that my first appointment was in Winfield, right up the street from my house! Once I completed the first appointment, I was in my work mode. When I went to the office to turn in my time sheet, I received the approval for my two week vacation. YEAH!!!!! I had to enter some information in the computer, but the program wasn't acting right, so I had to do it later in the day. I was so proud of myself, I had my progress notes done by noon. When I returned to the office to enter the information on the computer, one of my friends told me that she has accepted the job at Alltel and will be quitting on7-23-08. She told me that she has already cleaned out her desk!! When I finally got home from work, I hurriedly finished my last progress note, so that I could relax for the remainder of the evening. Three more days , and I will go on vacation! I hope I can make it!! This is the view from the parking lot in front of the agency:

The Weekend

I didn't even get on my computer on Saturday. I had a lot of work to do at home. I cleaned the house, even though I didn't fell like doing anything. Today, I got up early and began working on the yard. I pulled a lot of weeds, while waiting for the grass to dry, in order to cut it. It was very long, because of all of the rain. I did laundry, while working on the yard. Talk about multi-tasking! I was going to go to WSU tomorrow, to talk with a counselor. I decided to wait next week, when I go on my vacation. After working this week, I will go on vacation for two weeks, and then will give my two week notice to my job. I can hardly believe that all of this is really going to happen! I can hardly wait!!!!!!

Half Day at Work

I woke up tired today, because I stayed up too late messing with my computer. I had two appointments scheduled. I really didn't feel like working at all. I received my admission letter from WSU. There was a little confusion. They had my husband's name on the letter, even though he is already enrolled. He called and had it straightened out by the time I came home from work. He is something else!! I am starting to believe that my new goal, is starting to take shape. Here is a picture of my workplace:

Meetings, Meetings, Meetings!!!

I went to work today. It was a trip! My mom made cinnamon rolls for the office. I came into the building, carrying the pan of cinnamon rolls, and was met by many of my co-workers. They were all very nice to me. I wonder why? I had to sit in meetings, most of the day. It was very boring! I had my evaluation later in the day. I passed with 100%! I told one of my closest friend about my decision to leave the agency. She said that she understood, but would be sad to see me go. It was very weird sitting in the meetings, knowing that I would be leaving soon. They don't have a clue about my plans! I put in my vacation leave request. I can hardly wait to get some time off. Here is the main entrance to the agency:

Day Off

July 9,2008

I woke up this morning, and decided I would take the day off. I talked with my mother about my decision to go back to school. She thought it was a good idea. I always like to get my mom's opinion about major decisions. She is very wise. It was nice just taking it easy. I know that I blogged a lot in one day, but I am just getting started with this. I plan to blog at the end of each day!

The Interview

July 8, 2008

Went to work today. Strange day because my husband had an interview, for his internship, at the same agency that I am about to leave!!! No, he's not going to accept the placement. I had a lot of no-shows today. I had to go to training to learn new computer program for work. I didn't mind being there because I knew that I wasn't going to have to use what I was learning. When I got home, I checked my e-mail and I had a message from financial aid, indicating that my application had been received and processed. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Attitude!

July 7, 2008

I woke up today feeling very refreshed. I went to work feeling more relaxed than I have, in a long time. It is interesting how one's mood can change, when you know that you are about to make a major change. I am excited about doing something new! When I came home for lunch, my wonderful husband had already completed my application for admission, sent off for my transcripts, and had begun filling out my financial aid application! He has been wanting me to quit my job for past 10 years! I am lucky to be married to this good man!!!! My work day finally ended. It was kind of hard to stay focused, because all I could think about is my new life. Reg and I talked about the financial issues that will be affected by my decision to quit my job. We are prepared to make any sacrifices that we have to, in order to achieve this goal.

Ambivalence

July 6, 2008

Now that I have made my decision to leave my job, I began thinking of all the things I have to do to prepare to give my notice to the agency. Boy, are they going to be shocked! The hard part will be telling my client's that I am leaving the job. I know that it will be hard! The reason I stayed at my job for all these years, was because of the wonderful people that I have been trying to help. I will miss everyone of them! Here is a picture of the agency:

Decisions, Decisions!

July 5, 2008

I have been working for the same agency for 13 years. I have seen my friends leave the agency for many years. I had been contemplating leaving for the past couple of years, but there were other priorities in the family, that prevented me from doing so. I feel that now is the time! I,m going back to college!!!! I talked to my family about my plans, and they all told me to go for it! I have always been interested in the law and court issues. I want to get a degree in Criminal Justice at Wichita State University.