Online College
Mood:  spacey
Topic: Back to School

I have decided to go back to college, for my third attempt.  The first was a regular, on-campus, 4-year private liberal arts college.  I was there a semester.  I hated being so far away from home, and having to get up early for class no matter how little sleep I got the night before (my dorm-mates were loud and obnoxious, I didn't go out or anything.). 

 Two years later, I decided to try something new: online colleges.  I was a bit skeptical at first, I didn't think any were legitimate, and I hesitated to let people know what I was doing, for fear they would laugh.  It took a lot of research there are soo many scams out there, and colleges where you can get a degree, but when you try to show an employer or transfer to a different college, they laugh in your face.  It also took me a long time to find a college that offered a liberal arts degree.  I finally found University of Maryland University College.  The course work was ok, but I just couldn't stay motivated.  Also, courses were waay expensive(something like $444 per credit!), and I am now in a lot of debt with them .  I only recommend them if you have a lot of money to blow, or can get a LOT of financial aid.

  I am now ready to try again.  I found a great (and cheap!) college called Thomas Edison State College.  It is a college especially for adult learners, so you have to be 21 or older, but they offer all kinds of degrees.  I haven't started yet, but I am soon going to apply and cross my fingers.  I will update eventually on how things go. 

   Throughout my little college adventures, I have learned a few things:

 - Online colleges can be a great, flexible way to earn a degree

 - Watch out for scams.  Make sure the college is regionally accredited.

 - Check out sites like www.ripoffreport.com. 

 - See if you can find anyone who went there, and ask them about their experiences, good and bad.

 - Stay motivated!  If you get behind, it will just get worse and worse.

  Hopefully, if I get accepted to this college, I will be able to post my experiences and tips for staying motivated.   Cross your fingers for me, and I'll see you next time I feel the need to make private information public.
 

 

C-sections and night feedings: Oh, the Joys of Parenthood
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Life with a newborn

 A week ago, I had a baby boy by C-section.  His name is Marek.  It was exceedingly painful.  I was in labor for 11 hours before they decided I needed a c-section, and 8 before I got an epidural.  But I won't go into that (Aren't you relieved?).  Anyway, after we brought him home, I realized it would be much harder without nurses available 24/7.

 The worst part came at night.  I had to get up out of bed every two hours (ouch), go over to his crib, bend over (ouch again), pick him up, and then stumble in the dark to the next room to feed him so I wouldn't disturb my husband.  Then I had to stumble back into the bedroom, put the baby back to bed, and go back myself.  

  After a c-section, everything is painful.  Standing up, sitting down, breathing deeply, coughing... life in general. At least the baby only cries when he is really, really hungry.  That is a huge relief.  I wonder if this pain will ever go away?  Unfortunatel, the pain reliever they prescribed me works best before the pain gets bad, but it almost always is bad, so the medication hardly ever does its job.  But then, it does give me a nice buzz, which keeps my mind off the pain, but makes it hard to do anything else.

  Also, I have a spinal headache from the epidural.  It is one of the worst pains I could imagine.  I actually ended up laying down on a bench in Wal-Mart because that was the only way to make the pain go away.  I felt like I was going to die.  Luckily, the pain pills I got for that work just fine.

 Taking care of a newborn is exhausting, I don't get to sleep fpr more than 2 hours at a time.  And the pain makes it worse.  But I'll pull through (I hope).  And I will probably get a c-section with the next kid, too.  I'd have to go all the way to Madison for a VBAC.

  I have to go now and feed him (again).  But I have to say:  If you are thinking about having kids, go for it!  I already know it is one of the best decisions I have ever made.