Procrastination and Its Fruits

Edit: The following is the comment from my teacher after grading my essay:"Kathryn,
Your personal narrative essay based on the exercise describing your educational goals has earn this enthusiastic A for the excellent development of your academic background and current efforts to achieve your plans for the future. It is easy to see why you were once enrolled In a creative writing course. Bravo, Kathryn!
The elements of first-person viewpoint and effective storytelling will be prominent features of upcoming assignments.  Your next opportunity to practice these skills will be in the process assignments due this coming week. I look forward to reading." 

The following essay is the first major essay assigned by my English 101 Composition class in my first semester returning to college. The assignment is a personal narrative essay and the topic is Where and How to Learn: My Educational Background. Basically, what's your background and attitude, how did it change, what changed it, how did you learn from your experiences and what is your attitude now? I am very proud of this work as far as style and content. I hope you enjoy it as well. 

     As I sit here looking at my assignment board full of multicolored reminders of what is due when, it’s like coming home: I’m comfortable, confident and I know it’s where I should be. My deep love of learning and all the trappings that come with it have been denied for years due to an overwhelming apathy. Horace Greeley said it precisely, “Apathy is a sort of living oblivion. “

     My mother passed away when I was eight, my father and step-mother were less than stellar in my eyes and I grew wary of their military and college educated, 9-5 lives. When I was barely into my double digits I decided I wanted to be a teacher and a mother in whatever order they managed to happen. I’d loved every teacher I ever had and longed to prove that I could be a better parent than those I was stuck with and the one who “left me behind,” as I saw it through my childish eyes. As time wore on and I grew up, I lost all passion in the struggle to live in a place where I felt unloved and utterly miserable. I focused on friends and ignored school enough to do well without excelling.

     In 2001 I graduated from my Dallas, TX high school as apathetic as it’s possible to be. We had all heard from parents and teachers that after high school you go to college; no reason why, that’s just how it’s done. My apathy led to enrollment in a community college because I’d never applied to any universities, leading to years of more apathy and procrastination.

     I knew I wanted to be a teacher but I was consumed with life. I had a job, my own apartment, dreams of my own car and friends who were not in school. I went to college the fall after graduation but failed a couple of classes for poor attendance and not turning in homework. I still had the bad habit of apathetic procrastination. I slept through 8am classes, didn’t turn in essays for creative writing, and dropped a history class. I went back the following fall with the same results. I skipped my evening class because after work I was too tired to go or wanted to hang out with my roommate and friends. I thought, “I pay for school with no financial aid or help from anyone. Who cares? I’m not wasting anyone’s money but mine, so what difference does it make?” So I decided that perhaps school wasn’t where I needed to be. I made enough money in my retail jobs to get by and still have a little fun.

     For eight years I moved around to many states including Florida, Tennessee and North Carolina. I stayed with family and friends and worked until I found myself in Central New York forced to stay due to personal circumstances. I’d moved to Utica because I knew someone here and thought it was as good a place as any. In the four years I was here I moved away and back twice. The last time I moved away was four days after the birth of my son, James. His father fought for shared custody of this tiny being that had depended solely on me since his creation, and a court order brought me back to Utica in the hopes I would be here just long enough to win custody and go back to my job with a promising future and family surrounding me. Almost three years and three custody losses later I was unemployed, still formally uneducated and desperate for a court acceptable reason to leave Utica. Despite zero involvement with his son and a total disregard for the custody he’d fought for, my son’s dad won every time I tried to get the judge to understand my reasoning for wanting to leave. The apathy had disappeared the moment I laid eyes on my own little miracle, and I knew my life needed direction with me taking the lead. But procrastination is a habit that’s a little harder to break.

     Every January for three years I applied to MVCC and faithfully completed my FAFSA and TAP applications, but since I’d always had a job I figured everything would be fine. The last job I held was great and it paid well. I thought it would turn into something permanent despite the “temporary/contract” tag on the end. I didn’t think I could handle a toddler, a full time job and full time schooling, anyway. When the contract was closed I knew there would be no more excuses because the decision had been made for me; I could live as a welfare mom, or make a change. January of this year, I redid my FAFSA and TAP applications; made sure I was still accepted to MVCC and got everything done. For fear I’d find a job and therefore another excuse to put off my life goals, I made sure to start as soon as possible: this summer.

     I had finally realized that if I wanted to leave this dying area and bring my son with me, I could no longer live paycheck to mouth and put off an education that would allow me to create a better life. I’ve always enjoyed learning even if I didn’t enjoy high school. Life experience has taught me that yes, you do go to college after high school, but it also taught me why: Even if you don’t immediately pursue a career, having that education opens more doors than simply a diploma. I still could have lived the life I had but with the option of settling down as soon as it was necessary. As it was, the life I lived was the only one I saw available to me without a college education.

     Looking around me I see the detritus of a parent. There are toys, dishes, clothes everywhere. Crayons and pens are scattered over scribbles drawn by the most precious fingers in the world. By working to realize my own pre-adolescent dreams of becoming a teacher in addition to the mother I already am, I know that MVCC is exactly where I need to be. All apathy has vanished and procrastination has no place here. Here is where I begin building the life I want and my son needs.

College At Any Age

After 10 years, I am finally returning to college. I'll be attending the local community college to begin a transfer Associates on my way to a Childhood Education degree. Most of my life I wanted to be a teacher. For a couple of years I thought about becoming a Pharmacist and while that still interests me (as does the salary), being a teacher calls to me. I've always loved school and I can't wait to go back. I'm only slightly disappointed that it'll be a couple of years before I start doing "teacher-y" things. :o)

I'm starting not in the fall but in the first summer term. It'll put me 20% through my 2yr degree with only 4 semesters left. Theoretically, I'll be done by the end of next summer. This is very, very exciting.

I am 28 years old. I'll be 10 years older than most of the students at the school, and I have a kid. It's going to be weird but I'm a firm believer in "It's never too late." I have a dream, a desire for more and my son as motivation to get it done.

For a long time I didn't go to school for a variety of excuses.
A slightly-more-than-minimum-wage job was plenty for just me.
I'd done the whole "work full time, school full time" thing before and it wore me down fast.
I don't have the time.
I have plenty of time I'm only 20-something.
I like having free time to do stuff with friends.

I'm sure there were more excuses and a lot of it was just plain not even thinking about my future. I'd applied to schools here and there in the many states I lived. Memphis, TN, Johnston County, NC, Utica, NY. It was only after my son was born that an urgency started to build. However, I still had excuses.
I don't have time to work, go to school and raise my son.
I don't have the money.
I'll fill out the paperwork another day.
I have to get booster shots? I don't have time to go do that.


Well, I've been unemployed (not counting a 1-day and a 5-day job) since August of last year. I have nothing but time! I filled out my FAFSA, my HESC application for NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP Award), applied to school, got my booster shots, and registered for summer classes.

According to the five seconds the guy at the Financial Aid office deigned to give me, my spring PELL Grand will be used for the summer term, but it should be fine since I'll be getting other aid.

I think I've said it like three times already, but I am so excited. I am finally taking a much-needed step in making a better life for Ick and me. It's so past due but definitely better late than never.

My short-term goal is to transfer to UNCC (University of North Carolina in Charlotte) to complete my 4 year degree so I'll be close to all kinds of my family, maternal and paternal. Yes there will be a custody fight (again) but I have a better chance this time. I'll be asking just for custody, not to move, and I'll be filing this month. *fingers crossed*

My long-term goal (if I happen to be unable to complete my short-term goal) is to complete my degree and move to NC near family. This year Utica cut 217 positions and raised taxes 2%. I've been told by many people that I absolutely will not find a teaching job anywhere near where I live. My response? A very cool, "I know. That's the point."

A blogger that I look up to said something about luck not being luck at all. It's about you being prepared for the opportunities that arise. Good "luck" means you're prepared and ready and you can take advantage of the opportunity. Bad "luck" means you haven't done what you need to do to take advantage. She's one smart cookie!

Not only am I prepared for school this upcoming term, but I'm ready to fight successfully for my baby boy. I pray for strength and guidance every day and I hope you'll say a little one for me as well.

Is there something you've wanted but haven't prepared for? What's stopping you? Do you think you'll try harder to achieve your goals?

If it's school, don't feel like you're too old. Starting over in a new career or life path is always scary and challenging, but that doesn't have to stop you. If you want it, you can do it. Believe in yourself even if no one else does. Just remember, I believe in you, too.

Note: I know it's been months since I've posted and I have no excuses. Thanks for sticking around and continuing to read.

The more things stay the same...

Not counting the short #OWS post I made, I left this blog hanging on a very negative note. I'd like to rectify that, but not much has changed. I am at least able to feed my child (and well) so that is a huge load off my shoulders. However, it is exceedingly difficult to find work and that is where it hurts. Rent and bills are piling up (as well as multiple overdraft charges on my bank account for one bill) and it's starting to freak me out.

I got a call the other day from a staffing/temp agency and I'm looking forward to this job (working with students on processing their loans, but not exactly call-center work, thank GOD) working out. I want it so much it scares me a little bit. Wanting something so bad seems to push it further away. I'm praying about it and psyching myself up with preparing answers to the typical interview questions. I was also sent the computer tests for the agency, so I'll be working on those tomorrow while Ick is with his grandparents.

I asked my step-mother if she would help with bills and she said, "Well your father told you at the beginning (as in, when I had my son) that you couldn't support yourself much less a child and you insisted you could. But you're kind of proving him right. You know he won't let me send you any money." This from the woman who controls the money (and has since day one over 20 years ago). Also this is the first time in over two years I've asked for anything. My "father" also said I was white trash and so was my (deceased) mother's family and that's all my kid would ever grow up to be. When I asked him for the money for a lawyer way back when I was trying to not be forced into returning to Central New York, he said, "You shouldn't have had a kid and I hope they take him away from you." Am I surprised he doesn't want to help? No. Am I surprised my step-mother isn't sending something anyway? Yes. She's sent all kinds of things for my son (her ONLY grandchild in any form, and she has her own son who is married): homemade clothes and baby blankets, toys, etc. She also sewed a t-shirt quilt for me out of a bunch of my old shirts dating back from 4th grade. Clearly she has feelings for me and Ick, but I guess not deep enough to want to help keep us from living on the street.

"Are you really that close to that?" you're probably asking. Well, I still owe on November rent, leaving us short on December's as well and my landlord is losing patience quickly. So, yes. He's threatened me more than once and this apartment doesn't even pass codes.

I want to live in a house (apartment, whatever) that is actually decent for once. No uninsulated 3rd floor sucking up my heat (and money through the electricity/gas bill), no drug-dealer neighbor who has random people in and out of the building until well after 3am, no shouting matches in the common hallway at 7am about water leaks that only the landlord can fix.... I want a home which is something I've never had.

I want a job. I want to be able to go to the craft store and the dollar store and pick out some stuff to decorate my house for the appropriate season. I want to be able to do the crafty things I enjoy but can't do when I can't even pay my regular bills. I want to be able to pay for my cell phone without worrying that I'm spending money that should be going to a different bill and hope utilities stay on long enough for me to make up the difference.

I want to go to school and get a degree (still don't know in what) so that I can move forward with my life, not just along the same lines as the last ten years. I am willing and able to do all the work, studying and showing up that school requires.

I want to be happy. That's it, in a nutshell. As much as I love staying home with my son, that's not an option for me. I don't have a trust fund or lottery winnings. I don't have a husband or boyfriend who works and is willing to let me be a housewife. I, like countless others, have to juggle a toddler (alone), full time job, full time school and all the stresses that go along with that. I'm not complaining because at least I am healthy enough to be able to accomplish all of that. I have the capabilities, strength, intelligence and responsibility; For that I am immeasurably grateful.

But it all amounts to nothing when there is so much crap going on in the world that I cannot control. I can't blame the economy on all my problems because I can name quite a few that I brought on myself. Which, in all reality, is what makes this situation even worse. I look at it as punishment for my grievous mistakes and thank God that He didn't make me suffer more (which He could have). But the longer this goes on, the harder it is to bear. I'm sure in the Bible there are references to people trying to hide their faces from God in shame. That's me right now. I tried really hard to be positive and "give it up to God," but it felt fake to me. In my heart I knew that I was serving penance for my sins and that is something you cannot give to Him. It's like your parents making you do difficult chores as punishment, but as they watch you singing and dancing your way through them because you know they pretty much let you off the hook, they maybe start to think, "Perhaps I wasn't hard enough on them. Maybe they need something more to really drive home the point that they did something wrong so that they'll finally learn they can't do what they did."

Okay, so if I'm being totally honest (which I'm not, not really), that last bit came to me as I was writing this. But it feels right. That paragraph up there is so spot on that it's creepy. I should probably write more about my life even if I don't share it publicly.

Where was I? Right, punishment... In the light of my extremely recent epiphany, I think a little more prayer is in order. I do want this job because it is full time, first shift office work; The exact thing I've been looking for. It's even a dollar more an hour than my last job, so there's another plus right there. And it's temp-to-hire which my last job was not. But instead of praying that I get this job, I can pray about whether or not I've gotten the message about what I've done wrong and how I can go about not doing it again. Then maybe I can pray that I'll get this job.

Because even if I have to work day labor at the landfill (yes, those types of jobs exist), I will do it. I will do whatever I can to put a roof over my baby's head, food on his plate, clothes on his back and toys in his hands. There is no job too "low" if it helps me provide for my child.

So now, I pray. I'd love it if you'd pray with me.

Edit: I want to say a special thank you to @skeri (aka Keri H.) for being so helpful and encouraging during this rough time for me and my little family. Being raised by a single mother gives you a special point of view, doesn't it? I'm glad we met way back in 10th grade and despite the years and distance (and the loss and subsequent regaining of our friendship), you're there for me in a way no one else has been. You're an exceptional person and I'm thankful for you more than you know.

Second edit: My sister and brother-in-law are staying with me. My sister is a stay-at-home and graciously watches my kid for me whenever I ask (rarely, out of respect) and when I work. She'll take care of dinner, dishes, basically the domestic stuff minus my laundry, hah! My brother-in-law is a currently out of work union insulator who is collecting unemployment and, also graciously, is the one paying rent and the household bills. It can't cover everything but it still covers the basics. I'm so thankful that they are here to help and having family close by is always wonderful. Thank you for what you do for me, from the bottom of my heart.