Goooooooooooal!!!!

I am happy to announce that I've accomplished one my goals...

I am now current on all of my student loans!

Mohela, Campus Partners, and American Education Services should send me a thank you card.

Now to conquer more goals!!

When I was younger...

The following is a photo taken in late 2002:

I am apparently trying to crush Valerie's shoulder.

Look at that young man's face!  He's thin, he's smiling, his haircut isn't that awful, AND he's having the time of his life.  

Life as a college freshman was quite an eye opening experience.  It was something that transmogrified a bright, painfully shy, somewhat closed minded young man into a bright, slightly less painfully shy, much less closed minded young man.  I met some wonderful people.  I took a couple of interesting classes.  I made lasting friendships.  If given the chance to do it all over again, there are very few things I would change. 

After my freshman year, I had a decision to make.  My academic performance was less than stellar(ha!), and my once large scholarship would be cut in half if I returned for another year.  Oh to know then what I know now.  Back then I believed that the only way I was going to be successful was to finish college.  I was convinced that a college degree would guarantee a great job that was life affirming and lucrative.  In my 20 year old mind there was only one option:  go back to school in the coming fall and kick ass!  

I went back.  

I got my ass kicked.

The following photo was taken moments ago:

I wave because I care.  

I am now 26 and I'm a bit heftier, scruffier, and more knowledgeable.  I've learned that not having a college degree won't ruin your life.  I've been working for UAMS for five years this coming September and have managed to secure a nice paycheck.  Of course, a good chunk of that paycheck goes to student loans(over $500 this month alone) and credit card statements(we won't talk about that one).  Had I decided to end my college career after my freshman year, I wouldn't be paying these student loan payments, nor would my credit card bills be at the level they are.  Que sara, sara!

It's not that I don't plan to finish college.  I do.  I just know now that I should have waited on that sophomore year until now.  Would I advise high school seniors against going to college right away?  Never!  Everyone should give freshman year a try and if it works out, keep going.  If you come up short, maybe take a semester off, or a year off, or six years off : )  

Just keep working.