Beach to Busy

We went to the beach when we had a few days off last week. People did want my time to work at the college, but they never pinned me down so I escaped. Luke and Shawna were there with their daughter Irelynn. I put up a bunch of pics. I know this blog is linked to facebook, but I don't think facebook copies the pics over, so if not, go to our blog site at nate-and-jeanann.blogspot.com For anyone interested that is.

Luke's pregnant. I like the photo though.

School's started for me. I was anxious thinking about the work ahead of me, but it came to me today. I'm in a completely different phase of life than almost all of my peers at the University. If I was 20 or so I'd flunk out, get wasted every night, and have nothing but good stories to tell, a hangover, and who knows what else. The thing is, I've already done all of that. I have lived good stories, drank way too much, and partied in all sorts of different ways and now I'm ready to get down to business. The difficult thing for me to master will be time management. Nothing else will be 'hard' if I can find the time to do the work to get through UF. I can already tell that the level of professionalism has risen dramatically compared to community college. Everyone is on top of what they're doing, the classes will be challenging, and I have no choice but to learn and apply the material in every single class I'm taking. Now I feel I may actually learn something which will help me find a good career. (It's just costing over 10k per semester tuition to do it I might add).

I'll be working at the Veterans Office on the campus. The pay isn't great, and since most UF veterans are established in their education, the counseling portion of the job will be much less intense. I've enjoyed working with some of the younger guys who need a little direction at the community college, but it's time to move up I guess. The guys in the office are good people though, and I can't escape my past. It's part of who I am, and it's something I'm good at so I'm happy to have the opportunity.

Jeanann is enjoying the vet ICU. She comes home talking about all sorts of craziness she does every shift. She's really expanding her knowledge in her field, and applying herself in a new way. I'm glad she's happy there, but the schedule does suck. She's gone Fri-Sun, 14 hours each day. I would like to pick up more work nights or something, but between a full load at UF, roughly 20 hours working on campus each week, and the kids all weekend, If I was able to find more work it'd just screw my schooling up (which at this price I'm paying would really suck).

I hope to graduate by christmas in 2010. I need to take about 13 units each semester to do it. It's in reach. I'll be switching to the 'new GI Bill' in January. It'll pay about 3500 in tuition each semester in 2010, but the monthly payment I'll get to live on will go down a little bit. I know there's no way in hell I'd be able to do this without having given so many years to the government. The negative things I remember about the military are really worth it considering what it's helped me do. I still have a lot of work to do until I get the Bull Shiz degree though. At least it's not any old BS, but some BS from a school with a good reputation.

Brylee is getting big. She rolls around now. I've seen the signs of her trying to crawl, but it'll be another 2 months or so at least I'm guessing. Bradyn is smart. A little too smart I think. I'm hoping daycare will help us teach him some of the things we've been lacking on, like potty training, letters, using a fork better, and the social interactions. I think he's a few days too young to make the cutoff to start first grade. I guess there's a chance him and Brylee could be in the same grade level... or maybe just one apart. We'll see though. Jeanann did pop em out pretty close to each other.

Florida's hot, but I do like it here. I'm still not entirely sold on staying in FL. I'm gonna work on pre-law classes and apply to other states as well. Jeananns applying to vet school here, but she has a few other places in mind. If we do move again it will be for one of those reasons, or to accept a job offer for one of us. We'll be here at least through 2010.

I hassle Jeanann to write on here. I don't know how many people actually read this, but I treat it like an online journal really. Something for the kids to read someday. If anyone reads this and wants to hear Jeanann's perspective... help me hassle her.