One Down One to Go

In March of this year, 2014, I received my Associates Degree in Communications. I actually did it! I graduated with a GPA of 3.67. The lowest grade I received for an associate level class was a B. It sure feels great to look up at the shelves in our room and see my degree in it's folder. My academic adviser is very pleased with the progress I am making.

When I completed my Associates program I got a nine day break before I started my Bachelor program in Criminal Justice. So here I am. I am in the second class of my second degree and it is so different. I have had to get used to working on teams, but that has been a good thing. My classes are only five weeks long as opposed to nine so the classes go by much faster. I have met some very interesting people and had more opportunities to share my story. It seems the more times I share it, the easier it becomes.

Criminal Justice seems the perfect place for frank discussions and sharing of stories. I have met a woman who is a survivor of domestic abuse. She and I really clicked, both of us understand what it means to be a survivor. I have had the pleasure of discussing the differences of military justice and civilian justice with members of the armed forces in Afghanistan. One of my other classmates lived in Ukraine. 

So, here I am, successfully juggling three jobs, mom, wife and student. I take my laptop with me when I take Christopher to swim practice and if I am lucky his coach has his wifi hotspot turned on so I can get some of my online work done while the kids work out. This makes it easier since he has practice every day. 

Christopher is actually getting something out of my classes as well. He is my writing buddy and proof reads every paper I write. It seems to be working, I am getting great grades on my papers, and he is learning whether he realizes it or not. We have even had some very interesting conversations about some of my class topics. 

You know, it amazes me when I think about where I have come from. How far I have made it from the scared child and damaged teenager. It just goes to show that no matter how badly you may have been hurt or abused in your past, you can overcome your fears and anxieties. You can rise above the damages left behind by those who saw you as an object and not a person. There is only one person who can do that for you, it is you yourself. You have to have the strength to carry on and push through the pain and make something of yourself.

I don't know how many hurt and damaged women or girls are out there, but someone needs to let them know that they are not alone and that they CAN make it through the fog of self hatred and self loathing to finally see that you are a person. A person worth loving and respecting. YOU ARE A PERSON WORTH LOVING AND RESPECTING!

Beautiful Bloggable Me