I'm HAPPY to report that......FINALS ARE OVEEEEEERRRRRR!!! I don't think ya'll know just how happy I am. For the next two weeks (before the summer session) I will have some freedom, fun, and relaxation away from school work. As you've read from my previous posting, my head was in my books practically 24/7. I had no life, no entertainment... nothing! Everyday after class I would come home and do more studying and reading and then wake up and do it all over again. When I was working, it was a little more balanced because I had a "social life" in the office and it got my mind off of school for a little bit while I interacted with my hilarious co-workers. So now one semester down, and about 5 more to go. I just hope my classes get more practical and hands-on. And I hope that I'll enjoy a career in nursing. I've heard some stories about current nurses who aren't happy with their field.
So now that I'm freed up from classes a little bit, I have to get some things together. I have to look for a new part-time job. I'm hoping to find something along the lines of a receptionist. Hopefully something slow-paced. I would like to also visit the college I would like to transfer to after completing my prerequisites. Along with that comes looking for scholarship monies or someking of financial aid to help pay for schooling. Then, I want to start studying for the GRE's. I really wanted to try to study for the GRE in one-2 weeks and then take it afterwards but my bother thinks it won't be feasible, so I'll try to study over the summer months and take the exam near the middle to the end of the summer. I'll work out a plan and try to get all these things done in two weeks.
After finishing my exam tonight, I was talking to some of my classmates who are from West Africa. I was telling them how I struggled to pass these courses this semester, reading day in and out and how difficult and frustrating it was for me at times. They just amazed me with their stories, all the struggles they've been dealing with for years just to get to where they are today. One lady was telling me how she came to the U.S. after graduating with a degree in education back in her home country. She came here and decided to change her degree to nursing and jumped from many schools until she could find one that wouldn't require her to have a green card, only to have things change on her and after completing a year at that school she had to leave. She was finally able to get her green card and was able to finally complete an LPN degree. She's now an RN and is pursing a BS in nursing. In her pursuit her degree, she's struggled raising three kids, taking care of a husband, and pregnant with child number four and working full-time while going to school too. She says she doesn't know how she was able to survive it. Her story sent chills down my spine. I mean, here I am trying to take care of only myself with minimal responsibilities and I'm complaining about the little bit of stress compared to what this woman went through. Her story has inspired me and reminded me how strong women are and wondering what the world would be like without them.
I don't know if it has anything to do with all the stress of studying and work, but I've been missing Ghana A LOT lately; missing some foods like banku and okra stew, missing my friends, the heat, the social life and the non-chalantness of the society of the rural life. Sometimes I just wish I could be chillin' under the mango tree in front of my friend's house sitting on a blanket and just chatting about life in general. I miss riding my bike and buying fresh vegetables from the market and greeting almost everyone I pass on the way to town or on my way back home. OOOHHHHH, and I especially miss my favorite food, santanpion and tz from Lawra. I would die to have a taste of it right now.
I think I better stop now before I go put myself in someone's suitcse and find myself at the Koto airport. Oh, how I wish.