A Challenge?

So much for my "5 year plan"

I had an appointment this morning with a guidance counselor at JCCC, but before I dive into that story, let me back up...

I've been meaning to go back ever since I finished my Associate's degree in 2003, however I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life and I didn't want to go to school "just to go to school." So I took a "break."  In that time, I searched and prayed for guidance on God's plan for my career. I knew that I wanted to do something in the health profession.  I am fascinated with all things medical and I love the mystery of hearing people's symptoms and then trying to figure out what's wrong.  I also love just helping others in need and in pain.  I thought about getting my degree in nursing, but I wasn't at peace about it.  So, since no real answer ever came to me, I just continued to work as a waitress.  Then God sent me my answer in the form of Jeff and Gloria Roberts.  They were my regulars at Teds, and I probably saw them at least 3 times a week.  Once they learned about my desire to work in a medical office, they extended an offer for me to work at their office: Grace Dental.  I never thought I'd want a career "working with teeth" but now the idea just fits me.  This office fits me.  So, I decided to go back to school to become a dental hygienist.  First everything came so easily.  God just opened door after door for me to go back to school.  I got the class I wanted, at the time I wanted and the money for the class just presented itself to me.  Then when it was time for me to enroll for this semester, I didn't have the money and there weren't any classes that would work with my schedule.  The only option I saw was to ask my parents for the money and take a 7am class.  I panicked and decided to "take another break."  Well, thanks to my persistent boyfriend and the advice of a guy from the copy center next door, I didn't take the easy way out.  Again, the money for my class presented itself and the 7am class started sounding like the answer.  I'd learn to be a morning person right? 

Up until this point, I have had no snags in my "five year plan."  I would enroll in college and start taking classes towards dental hygiene.  Chemistry in the Spring, Human Anatomy in the Fall, Microbiology in the Spring, get engaged to Justin, get married in May just after finals, have a wonderful honeymoon, and then I would naturally be accepted my first try and start the hygiene program at JCCC in August of 2008.  Yeah, I think God has a different plan for me...

So I meet with my counselor today.  She takes one look at my GPA and pretty much tells me to try for the 2009 session of dental hygiene.  My cumulative GPA, (since I was stupid and transferred my failing grades from my Freshmen year at KSU 7 years ago) is 3.02.  She told me that even if I were to get an A in Anatomy and Microbiology it would only raise my GPA to a whopping 3.07.  Now, with the exception of my semester at KSU, I've been a very good student.  In fact, I went (in just one semester) from a 0.62 GPA to a 3.75 my first year in community college.  However JCCC doesn't look at that.  They look at my "cumulative" GPA.  My one huge mistake keeps coming back to haunt me and hinder my plans.  So, while I am still going to try and get in this year, I have a feeling that next year (hopefully, after a honeymoon) I'll return to school to retake the courses I failed at KSU in order to boost my GPA.  Blegh!

I feel Xanga dumb. 

I came on here mainly because Sonni said that she read something on Kate's site that made her think that Justin and I are getting married.  So I went to Kate's site.  Figured that one out.

Meanwhile, I've noticed that Xanga went all modern and now allows you to input a layout much like good ole myspace.  So, I went to some random site, found a background/layout, but I have no freaking idea how to add it.  I followed the directions, I went to multiple FAQ pages and still, I am no closer to having a layout on my page.  I so want to do this.  I'm such a loser.

Oh yeah and Xanga also notified me that I do not have any friends.  Seriously, what a blow to the ego.  I rememer the days when your "subscriptions" were your friends, now it's something else?  Well, I'm doing trying to figure this out.  I'm sorry my site isn't "cool."  I'm just here to write.  Writing is therapy for me and I'm going to take full advantage of the ability to journal on here.  So there!

History of blogs:

Xanga:  Mostly journaled entries.  Posting photos was only for those majorally smart.  I lost out.  Backgrounds were hard to post, and those who could not figure it out, were left with just choosing fancy font colors and brightly colored backgrounds.  Yippee!

Myspace: everyone and their mother (literally) has a myspace, however, unless you make your page "private" everyone and their mother (literally) can see you page, pictures, and comments.  You are bombarded with advertisements as well as bands and pornstars wanting to be your friend just so they can use your page to advertise.  You have a smorgasbord of backgrounds to personalize your page.  Various quizzes, graphics, music videos, and countdowns allow for even more "individuality."  However, you are limited by "Tom" the highly known, yet unknown "wizard" behind myspace, on how many pictures you can post.  Sites like rockyou.com, have fixed this problem by allowing you to upload and create your own albums which can then be added to your page. Blogs are not as popular or widely used on myspace.  Bulletins are nice though, for getting your point across.  Just watch out for chain bulletins, they can suck you in.  Overall, not too bad of a place.

Facebook: Once widely popular with the college-aged generation.  Anyone with a college address could use Facebook.  Then high-schoolers were allowed access.  Finally, Facebook became open to anyone with a valid email address.  No individuality allowed at Facebook.  No backgrounds, graphics, or songs allowed to personalize you page.  Blogs are now called "notes" but still not widely used.  The wonderful thing about Facebook, is the albums and tagging features for pictures.  However, this has lead to the Facebook phenomenon of photo journaling, and every user and their parents (literally) using their digital camera to upload pictures.  Pictures range from graduation, to weddings, to vacations, to late-night trips to the grocery story, and to other random events, my favorite: using the restroom (seriously people, your camera does not have to go everywhere!!).  Facebook has been my overall favorite.  I just with more used it!

Whatever happened to the good ole days of emails and phone calls to catch up with old friends?  Now we have the internet and blogs...Technology has spoiled us rotten.  Now old friends can catch up without as much as a dialed phone number or a cup of coffee or a hug.  The internet has spoiled the intimacy of it all.  I'm admitting guilt too.  I am victim to "checking semens page" rather than picking up the phone.  Must do better at this...

My reason for typing all this out?  No clue.  I logged on wondering what the heck my last entry was, when I last logged on, and what everyone else was writing.  Surprisingly, with the onset of myspace and facebook, many are still journaling on Xanga.  Way to hold on!

For myself, I have no idea how long I'll keep this.  Considering October what the last time I was on here, and the fact that I wrote a single sentence, I'm not that active on here...Kristin's Xanga might not last much longer...