Determined - 8 Crazy Years

Around this time eight years ago, I was in a rut and miserable. I was never an academic person. I hated to study, read and take tests. I was never athletic, though in high school I did love a rousing game of kick ball. I guess I was the definition of a carefree flower blowing in the wind. Whatever I woke up and thought to do that day is what I did. I didn't like to make too many plans or do anything complicated. I definitely liked a simple life. I had my friends, my family, I lived near the water and I didn't think too much about the future.

When I moved to Baltimore, I had no idea how hard it would be to live on my own. I had no idea that learning this new language while working full time would be so stressful, frustrating, and rewarding. For the first time I was pushing myself to do things I never thought I could. I never thought I would go to college much less graduate. I met some great friends along the way who have made me miss Crisfield less, enjoy class more, learn and grow in the language, and have encouraged me when I didn't think I would finish.

Learning American Sign Language (ASL) and then learning how to interpret is not for the faint of heart. I can't tell you how many times I have cried and stressed over being in the interpreting program or about how I didn't think I could do it. I can't tell you how easy it would have been to just pack up and leave Baltimore and never look back, especially when my nephew died. That was a tough year. I'm still not quite sure how I passed the classes I took because when I think about 2011, I have little to no memory of being in any of the classes.

I always thought I had to work twice as hard as everyone else to get through the semester and I felt I didn't have anything to show for it. I had something to prove. I wanted to finish something I started, no matter how long it took me. I didn't think it would take me 8 years to do it. I overcame every obstacle thrown at me. Life, death, strenuous jobs, crazy apartment problems, severe test anxiety, and navigating Baltimore's 695 Beltway.

Here I am. I am graduating tomorrow from CCBC's Interpreter Program. I didn't think it would happen. I mean I thought it would eventually, but when something is so far in the future it feels unattainable. Tomorrow, I will earn a degree. It feels unreal, like a dream. Wherever life takes me, I know I have the motivation to do it. I know I have the perseverance. I know I have the determination that no matter how long it takes or the obstacles that come my way, I can and will do all that I am capable of doing. Tomorrow is the proof I never gave up, I never quit, and I never let anything, no matter how difficult, prevent me from achieving my goals.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Where's your GPS?

Sorry, I haven't written in a while. I've probably started a few different posts, but never finished them for one reason or another. Then, summer happened and well, they are called the "lazy days of summer" for a reason.  Recently, I was accepted into Steven University's Adult Undergraduate program. It is also known as School of Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS). GPS is the most common moniker. Since I decided to apply and become a student at SU, I have been somewhat fascinated with the acronym. When I hear GPS, I automatically think of the device that directs you from point A to point B. Then I thought how appropriate it is for the School of Graduate and Professional Studies to be called GPS. I, like so many adult learners, probably did not know what to do with their life at 18. I didn't have a career in mind when I left high school nor did I think it would take me this long to figure it out. I was carefree and I thought that my life and career would ...
Read more

Project 33: 33 Random Acts of Kindness for my 33rd Birthday

Image
After listening to the radio and what the DJ was going to do for her birthday, it inspired and motivated me to do the same for my upcoming birthday. I began to search Pinterest and Google for ideas. I started to make a list of all the things I wanted to do. I tried to be unique and do different things every day. However, towards the end, I struggled a bit trying to be unique. So I did things that I felt impressed to do in the moment like, give a couple of people gift cards to the grocery store. The last month has been totally wonderful. I found myself constantly thinking about being kind to people and presenting myself in a much more deliberate manner. I also mixed it up and gave gifts to people I knew as well as the people I had never met before. I also adopted a U.S. soldier. When you sign up they send you the name and address of someone to support that is deployed. You can write letters and emails and send care packages. If you are interested in adopting a soldier you can go to th...
Read more

Rich Single Life

So it’s been quite a while since I have felt like writing anything on here. In fact, I had forgotten all about this blog I created. I guess life gets busy and in some ways people change and move on. It’s not often I experience bouts of loneliness or sadness. I’m generally a happy, positive person and I always, to the best of my ability, see the good in everything. I believe everything happens for a reason. The way we handle choices, circumstances, and life’s heartaches tells a lot about who we are as a person. Today, I felt incredibly lonely. To give you a little perspective, I am one of only a couple people in my circle of friends still single. My friends are married, have kids and they are great parents and spouses. I am extremely understanding, knowing that family comes before friends. I am truly happy that they have this wonderful, crazy life with love and laughter. I know it’s not perfect by any means, I know there’s moments of sadness, pain, frustration, and exhaustion. Howeve...
Read more