Home stretch

It's been awhile since I've updated this blog. My last year of my Masters program has kept me busy.

I'm in the last few months of the program, and as long as I pass my comprehensive exam, I'll be graduating this May! Along with my graduation comes the dreaded job search. I'm hoping once more districts figure out their budgets/needs for next school year, more job opportunities will arise. I'm also trying my best to remember which of my friends, family, or acquaintances are in the education field, since most jobs are found knowing people who know people who know people.

This time in my life brings me back to my senior year of undergrad, when my future was unclear. The difference between who I was back then and who I am now is the determination and hard work that I've dedicated into earning my MA, receiving training from amazing site supervisors & professors, and having confidence that I am capable of being successful in this field.

As with all change, the future can be scary, but I'm certain that whatever it holds for me will be fulfilling.

My last thought before I return to studying...a lesson that I have learned and continue to learn through experiences: If you want something you have to keep working for it. The easiest way out is to give up and move on, yet with determination and hard work, all goals can eventually be reached.

Futures

You realize you're growing up when your Facebook newsfeed reflects the new changes going on in your friends' lives. From getting engaged, to getting married, to having babies, buying new homes and getting promotions, all of these make you realize you're no longer children or adolescents, but instead venturing into the responsible lives of young adults. 

As happy as I am for all my friends experiencing these changes, I still can't help but wonder when and where my own life is taking me. It's very easy to get into a slump when you're witnessing others going through what you hope to experience some day. For example: I'm not engaged, married, and though I want children at some point in my life, I am nowhere near prepared for that role/responsibility/lifestyle yet. Buying a new home and getting a promotion would be great too, yet financially the first is unattainable and promotion would require having a full-time/steady job. 

I'm not going to lie, the pressure surrounding Jeremy and I about engagement, marriage, etc. continues to grow on a daily basis. Some days it gets to me, yet others it doesn't. I like to focus on how I feel on those latter days. On those days I am able to remove myself from others' relationships and comparing mine to theirs and remain genuinely happy that they are at that point in their lives where they're engaged and/or married, yet also be grateful that I have Jeremy, who continues to be my strongest supporter and source of encouragement on a daily basis. 

So what's the point of this entry? Another one of my ramblings I guess... but basically, the future that I envision myself having is already occurring for some of my friends, and while I continue sitting on the other side of fence thinking that "the grass is greener", I'm happy and content with the relationships and accomplishments that I have to keep me company. 

New changes are happening everyday for my friends, and I couldn't be happier for all of them.