Morning Coffee

        Regardless of how many times I tell myself that it’s all going to be “okay,” this whole going-back-to-college thing is going to be stressful.  I’m already getting myself so worked up, and I’m not even there yet.  All I have is a little sheet in my hands, showing me what classes I have, where I’m supposed to be, and at what time I’m supposed to be there.  Why is this so hard for me?  Discussing my hesitation with my co-workers, the one says that she would love to go back to school.  In fact, she would love to just go to school for the rest of her life.  I believe we call that a “Professional Student.” 

        People are so different.  I know, “Talk about stating the obvious, Chels.”  I can’t tell you, though, how often I find myself, lying in my bed at night, praying that I would one day be able to enjoy school.  The only comfort that I’m getting out of this entire situation right now is knowing that it is completely and wholly in God’s hands.  All of it.  I’ve been trying my best to hand this all to Him (along with some other things, lately) and say, “Here ya go.  I don’t want it.  You take it, and do whatever you want with it…because I can’t control anything.”  That’s in my control, though.  I can control how much of my life I put in God’s hands.  Idealy, my entire life should be given to Him.  Unfortunately, there is seemingly always going to be something that I either don’t want to part with or I feel for some crazy reason unknown, even to me, that I can deal with it on my own. 

        The Lord knows that, now more than ever, I need His guidance through some rough spots in my life at the moment.  And I know that there are always going to be “rough spots,” but I also know that (given that I put my faith in Him) my Father will continue to walk by my side through every “rough spot” that life throws at me time and time again. 

Knowing that is the greatest feeling in the world…

“Oh, give it to me straight from the heart

Tell me we can make another start

You know I’ll never go — as long as I know

It’s comin’ straight from the heart…”

Excerpt from: Straight From the Heart by Bryan Adams 

Today just isn’t a good day…

…maybe it’s the weather…

If you haven’t noticed by now, I’ve been trying to name my posts after titles of various songs…

“One boy, one girl, two hearts beating wildly

To put it mildly, it was love at first sight

He smiled, she smiled, and they knew right away

This is the day they’d waited for all their lives

And for a moment their whole world

Revolved around one boy, one girl”

Excerpt from “One Boy, One Girl” by Ray Collin

        Yes, I’m a sap when it comes to finding songs that contain a similar resemblance to something in my life.  Today is a good day.  Today, I feel confident about a lot of things.  For today, everything is okay.  For today, life really doesn’t seem so incredibly dull.  And for today, I see a bright future for my life.  Maybe it’s because it’s sunny outside…

        He’s the one who I want to see everyday when I get off work.  He’s the one who looks at me like I am the only other person in this world.  He’s the one who is there when I am crying.  He’s the one who I would do anything for.  He’s the one who cleans the snow off of my car for me.  He’s the one who sprays his cologne on my stuffed bear, so it smells like him. 

He’s the one…

        This post was written at the beginning of April, actually.  I just never posted it, because I wanted to put a picture on it, but it never worked.  So, now, I find myself 7 days later, opening it back up to post it to my blog.  It’s my birthday today, and I’m in a good mood.  So, I figured now is as good of a time as any. 

P.S. - I have the best boyfriend in the world.

That’s right, ladies.  No one can top this guy…sorry.

        So, I got a new keyboard and mouse and figured…”Hey, let’s type something.”  

        So, I spent my entire morning, at work, trying to file my taxes.  I went with TurboTax at first, and was finally getting it to come out right.  It was different this year, because I had my jewelry business to worry about.  I was getting so frustrated.  Eventually, I got it, and I was so proud of myself for figuring it out all on my own (I have never done my taxes by myself).  Then, I went to file and print and I owed TurboTax like $150.  I was so upset.  So, then I decided to go with H&R Block.  They aren’t as user friendly as TurboTax, but I think I got it all figured out.  Finally, almost 7 hours later, I have my taxes done.  

I think…

        Sometimes I wish that were so, but then I usually end up coming to the conclusion that:

Even though we humans wish there could be just one more day in our week, the fact is that we would still find a way to waste it. 

        Some say, “If only there were just one more day in the week.”  To do what?  Relax?  The reality is, we would still find some way to cram as many things as possible into that extra day and still be left here wishing for yet a “nineth, tenth, eleventh” day of the week.  Others say, “There’s so much to do and so little time.”  No.  There’s plenty of time to do everything one needs to do.  It’s just a matter of having your own priorities straight.

        You know…priorities.  First and foremost being one’s family. 

“Get to know your parents.  You never know when they’ll be gone for good.  Be nice to your siblings.  They’re your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future. ”

~ Excerpt from “Everyone is Free (to wear sun screen)”

        Too many people today have gotten into the bad habit of putting other things first.  Some may argue that they have to work in order to take care of their family, and their career of choice requires long hours.  Therefore, hindering on the amount of time spent with the wife/husband and children.  In this case, I would ask them why they would have children if they knew that their career was time-consuming and they were not going to be able to give them the proper attention that children need.  Now, I understand that life is not just that simple.  I understand that everyone has or will be thrown a curve ball and certain situations cannot be avoided.  However, there are way too many children out there whose parents are “work-a-holics” and have little to no contact with a parental figure.  And I’m sorry, but Nanny’s are not the answer to everything. 

        On to education.  I’m going to be mainly talking about children’s education, due to the fact that I believe there are way too many parents out there who just let their kids give up.  I will admit, I’m one of those children.  That was college, whereas, I’m talking more like high school.  I wish that parents would be more strict with their offspring when it comes to high school education.  Parents have the authority to keep their kids in high school.  Now, when it comes to college, that’s a different story.  However, I am a stickler when it comes to letting teens quit high school, and this is why:

“Essentially, a student facing late graduation has two options: Stay in school and earn a regular diploma late, or leave school and earn either nothing or a GED. Late graduates fare better compared to students who leave school and those who earn a GED.”

~ An Excerpt taken from Better Late Than Never?

           Like I said, I am one of those kids.  I quit college, because I was unhappy with where I was.  And to be honest, I don’t regret that decision.  Living as a 20-year old female with no college education has really opened up my eyes to a lot of things.  Making a living for myself isn’t easy.  Currently, I am living paycheck to paycheck due to the fact that I suffered a decent pay cut when Mel’s closed and I took my present job here at the bank.   My savings requires a magnifying glass just to notice an accumulation.  Now, with that, I may have exagerated slightly, but it was for the sake of “making a point.”  

        Long story short, I’ve realized, slowly but surely, how much further an education will take me.  That’s why, as of the fall of 2009, I will be attending Penn College once more with a slightly different outlook and level of confidence…

…I think…

        Regardless of my opinion on these matters, you are entitled to your own.

“I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection.  Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.”

~ Michael J. Fox

        I understand that we are only human.  And as humans, we will strive to reach perfection, but it will always fall short of our grasp, because it all boils down to this:

We are all sinners…

        …and we have ourselves, and ourselves only, to blame for that.

And Lord willing, one fine day, I will be perfect…just as He has promised.