Better than the Library

Backyard study carrel... better than the library.

Happy Monday, my lovelies!

Whelp, not sure if I've mentioned it or not... but I took a huge leap of faith and followed my heart last year. And it all came to fruition last week.

Last week, I enrolled in the Journalism and Creative Writing program at the local University, one of the top universities in the country. The program will give me a B.A in Journalism, with an option of Creative Writing AND a college diploma in Journalism and Media Studies. All in four years.

Guys... guys... this is my dream. I know I can do creative writing, been doing that for years, but this is truly what my heart yearns for. When I was young, my father wanted nothing more than for me to no longer be his financial responsibility. Yeah, I know how that sounds, but when he began to "counsel" me on how to get a full-time job right out of high school, including working for his employer, I became suspicious. Then, when I showed an interest in post-secondary studies, he made a point to talk to me about short, college-level courses that would have me working full-time in two to three years.

He did everything to discourage me from going to a four-year university course, or more, and even told me he wasn't willing to help me financially unless I went to a cheaper college-level course. As long as I was living at home, I didn't qualify for government student assistance, so a longer, more expensive, university education was unattainable for me.

Two years at the local community college and I was working. A year later, I was living on my own, no longer his financial responsibility. He was ecstatic, even though he did try to convince me he missed me. Not completely convinced he just didn't like me no longer under his control.

Yeah. I know. He couldn't make his mind up. He didn't want me to be his responsbility anymore... nor did he want to give up control over me and what I did in my life. I don't get it, either.

Without my father's help and without my ex's encouragement or assistance. See, my ex didn't encourage me to go back to school or work outside the home any more than my father encouraged me to go to university. And the few times I suggested going back to school, even online, things would change around the house and I would suddenly have no spare time for anything.

So I gave up.

Flash forward a decade, or three, and I'm sitting here at my backyard study carrel working on my university-level writing and media studies assignments and weekly readings. It took me a while to get here, but I finally did it.

I am equal parts excited and terrified. I still have kids in public school, so I have to rely on my older children to help with their younger siblings when I am in class. They've been great so far, not that I see that changing.

There is nothing better than my kids hugging me and telling me how proud they are of me for going back to school. They are my world and everything I do, I do for them - just like Bryan Adams sang - and they see that.

I am showing them that learning never stops and that you are never too old to go back to school. I am the example they need to see in order to never give up on their dreams.

Because I'm not giving up on mine. Hot damn, that amazes even me.

BUT that doesn't mean that I am giving up on my writing. I still have the rest of the Tequila Tales books to come.

Book one, Kneading His Heart, is live on Amazon and book two, Staking His Claim, is now up for pre-order on Amazon. It's set for release on Tuesday, September 16th. One week to go. And I am currently working on book three, Rekindling Our Fire... which is also up for pre-order on Amazon.

My writing is still happening, no worries there, but until I settle into a routine with school, which will hopefully happen sooner rather than later, I will keep plugging along. I have so many stories flitting around in my mind. I have to get them out or they'll drive me around all the bends.

I should probably get back at it, my lovelies.

Until next time,

Stay sexy and kissable!

GG