Turning 40 and graduating with my Bachelors Degree in CIS and a minor in Forensics all in one day

February 27th, I will be turning 40 years old and also walking across the stage at DeVry University in Chicago with my BA in Computer Information Systems with a minor in Forensics. I'm quite proud but I think more relieved than anything....I went to MCC for actual classes for 1 -1/2 yrs. and earned almost 20 credits.  Being a single mother and working 3 jobs at the time...I just couldn't keep all of it up but that was a life goal and I was not going to stop.  I did my research, and decided on DeVry Online classes.  When I went in, only 10 of my credits transferred, honestly...I don't even think it was that many credits.  But DeVry versus MCC in my field was no question and the ability of taking classes online versus leaving my girls was also a no brainer.  I took the leap and from start to finish was only 3 years to get my BA; I skipped right past my Associates.  It was definitely hard but nothing that was insane at all.  I got it done, it takes devotion to go online, but being that I wanted it so bad, I did it and now I'm done!!! WOO HOO.  I am still going back and forth and back and forth about continuing and getting my Masters in CIS management, it will only take me about 7 months for that.  I think I will most likely do it but it is going to cost me more than an arm and leg, but going to school at my age and finishing made me grow so much.  I myself, feel I am a completely different person.  I still have the same qualities and personality most likely but my inner self and outlooks are completely different. I encourage anyone that plays with the idea to at least do your research and know what your options are.  I will be more than happy to help guide, as a matter of fact...I am doing that right now as I am typing (I am an avid multi-tasker, never doing only one thing EVER).  I have a very close family friend that is trying to do  this exact thing and I'm very proud of this person. It is never too late to accomplish what your goals are; it is not only good for you but good for people in your lives that you may not even realize.  My girls were able  to see how important education is and what devotion it takes to succeed.  We went from getting the majority of our food from Food Pantry's and Churches to me raising them all alone in a beautiful home with everyone healthy and happy and with all that we need in a short time.  I am more proud that they learned such good life lessons than anything else.  Right now I know it is hard to even imagine that anything can help for some to get a job at all and I agree, but times will get better and will turn around and there is going to be a lot of people competing more so than before.  Plus, having an education made me feel so much better about myself, I am the 2nd child of 6 and I never got good grades at all and really never cared., All my siblings are extremely bright and it was always hard for me because I wasn't (or so I thought).  Being on the Dean’s List at DeVry kind of proved that wrong!  I was an at home mom, raising my girls , it was not until my divorce that I had such a passion for education and so as I do with almost anything in my life...I didn't talk about it, I just did it. I am graduating before my girls enter college themselves and only by months...but I am and that was another part of my goal.  So, the meaning behind this is that....not just school but any goal you have is never too far away...reach for it as you would reach for anything you cherished that was ahead of you or falling from you.  Anything is attainable if you want it, it may be work...but we have to work for what we want.  So go look at yourself, talk to yourself and reach those goals...one at a time!!! Click here and maybe this is for you, maybe not....http://www.devry.edu/. And for fun here is a funny video for any WGN morning news fans....I can’t start my day without them....http://www.wgntv.com/news/morningnews/wgntv-behindthescenes-larry-robin-m-120110,0,6863032.story

McHenry School District 156 meeting.

Tonight was a special meeting for the McHenry District 156 Board to address some issues with the public.  I do not think they were expecting the turn out that attended.  Of course this is a HUGE controversy and will continue to be until this problem at hand is resolved.  I will say for myself, the Board did not have much input at all tonight, I don't know if they were caught off guard with the amount of community members or if they just didn't have the answers.  

It was a very knowledgeable and interesting night to say the least.  3 hours in the West Campus Auditorium.  For the most part, no tempers were ignited and all was fairly calm.  The bottom line was pretty much the same across the board of ... we have to find resolution.  We need to do this without hurting the children.  So many good points were made and so many offers were made from the community.  Some of the top local, successful business men and women were there, some spoke, some kept silent.  But, I will have to say....it was inspirational to see all come together.  I will have to admit that it’s sad that it takes something like this to bring a community together to conquer such a feat. Obviously, we are all concerned and it is more of a problem than just our children being effected.....I just have to stop in the middle of this....if you know me well, and reading these, you will learn to know my craziness and random acts...but what is up with the CIA commercials on at night all of a sudden??? I don't know whether to be scared or what?  The whole job market in our country is at an all-time low and the CIA is advertising working for them on TV??? Goofy, I tell ya...GOOFY! Ok, back to the subject.  The entire community is going to be effected by this and in my opinion, we are putting so much energy into finding out why we are where we are and how we got here.  Does that matter right now really? What we need to focus on is...how we fix it. We need to stop, focus and move forward with a plan that will work.  We all know that there is no plan of attack that is going to benefit any side one way or another, but nonetheless the issue at hand needs to be contained.  We need to ALL work as a community on all ends and make this happen.  It is going to be hard and challenging, but we have no choice but to be involved and make a change.  Please educate yourselves, be involved in this, for it is the future of your children, grandchildren, friends, and family. We can work together to make sure that we don't get into this position again. We have enough successful community members that stepped up and are offering the support of bringing new suggestions, knowledge and information to McHenry District 156.  We need to use these much appreciated resources immediately and battle this with full force. The position that we are all in, is by far, a very sad place to be, but is not the end of the world.  We will pull together and gain forces to maintain the community that so many of us have been raised in and are raising our families in and to bring the attraction to outsiders to join our community of McHenry. We can do this, so let’s put our mind, hearts and souls on the line for the amazing children of McHenry and give them all the opportunities that we all had to prosper in life and for the future of the City of McHenry. Again, please visit the links and gain as much of the information that you can so you can be fully educated on all sides.

 http://www.dist156.org/

http://mchenrycountyblog.com/category/mchenry-high-school-district-156/