Tuesday, February 8, 2011

What happens in the shower, should stay in the shower


http://www.presentationmagazine.com/
After reading Diaries of a Neurotic Non-Trad's blog post, Famous Non-Trads, I was inspired to shout to the world about the trials and tibulations of mature age students.  I decided that our little minority group deserved recognition on campus and promptly emailed the uni newspaper and suggested doing a story on this phenomenon - the struggles we must face as we balance family, career and study.

This little discussion with myself continued as I hopped in the shower and I came up with the brilliant idea to start my own uni newspaper aimed at the mature age student.  As I whipped my hair up into a lather (but not back and forth), the possibilities of this idea seemed endless.  I remembered early last year in my film analysis class, a young student made the bold move of starting her very own film mag and it finally got off the ground with the first edition coming out in the last semester.  If she could do it, why couldn't I?  I must send her an email and see how she went about it, I told myself.

I jumped out of the shower as my creative juices seemed to be overflowing with ideas.  I could call it Mature Age Monthly - Mature Age Mag or The Non-Trad News.  I printed out a template of regular articles I could include such as, What's your story? - a monthly article on a mature age student which covers their life and motivations for studying and how they balance family, career and study; Movie and Theatre reviews, Book reviews; Cultural reviews of events around Brisbane; What's on around campus; Resources and Mature age trivia (inspired by Diaries of a Neurotic!)

Now, in the harsh, dry, light of day, I'm forced to reconsider my 'brilliant' idea as the usual thoughts of self-doubt creep over me.  For a couple of hours the possibilities seemed endless - now it just sounds ridiculous!  How would I even do such a thing?  Where would I find the time?  Who would want to read it?  It would probably get laughed at and thrown in the bin.  But even amongst the negative thoughts my mind is so capable of creating, there is a tiny voice inside me that still thinks it is a possibility. 

I wonder, did JFK junior have the same nagging doubts when he created George?  I know, I know - my piddley little idea doesn't even compare to a political magazine created by America's Prince, but from little things, big things grow. With a little bit of self-belief anything is possible.  Unfortunately, my big ideas and self confidence only occur either in the middle of the night or while I'm in the shower, which is probably where they should stay! 

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Bliss

At long last my course outlines for this semester are online.  With uni starting back in three weeks, I've been keen to see my booklist and assessments for each of my courses and I've got to say, I can't wait to get back into it!  I never thought I'd say that, but obviously the break has really helped me relax after the semester that almost broke me!  I'm beginning to see the different stages in my emotional and physical wellbeing, post-semester.

Exhaustion - For the first four weeks of my break, I couldn't concentrate long enough to even read a novel for fun.  I think I started about four books before I finally gave up and just vegetated!

Joy - After four or five weeks of veging, I became relaxed enough to actually start enjoying the time off.  I found a book I enjoyed and actually finished; I did lots of cooking, caught up with family and friends and was just generally in a state of bliss.

Excitement - Now, with just three weeks to go, I'm itching to get back to using my brain and learning.  Now I've been able to see my course outline, I've started reading the required novels in order to get a headstart.  And the books I will be reading is what has me in a state of excitement!  Frankenstein, Oliver Twist, Middlemarch, Northanger Abbey, Dracula - I get the shivers just thinking of analysing these fantastic novels!!  Yes, it's time for me to go.

Three things Feb (Three things that have made me smile today)

1.  Although we had a couple of hours of continuous, heavy rain early this morning, No. 1 Son's much anticipated first cricket game of the season was NOT cancelled and he played a great game.

2.  We have airconditioning and get to escape the stinking humidity outside.

3.  No. 1 Son tried to put my hair up in a hairband at the dining table and the feel of his broad, strong, growing hands in my hair was delicious!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Three things February

Because I feel I do have a habit of not always looking on the bright side, I've decided to try College Mummy's/Sarah Rooftop's "Three things February".

So...3 things that made me smile today -

1.  I woke up this morning and had breakfast with my BFF after a wild night of laughter, wine and scrapbooking.

2.  SH No. 1 came home and we enjoyed a leisurely lunch together.

3.  No. 1 son and I managed to forget about his ear infection for an hour or so while watching the totally absurd, but incredibly funny, 'Anchorman'.

Wow, that was harder than I thought it would be.  Definitely worth thinking about every day! 

By the way, if someone can tell me how to copy and paste Sarah Rooftop's 'Three things February' logo, I'd really appreciate it!  I must be old or something but I tried 3 or 4 times without success.  If only my Gen Why? was here!

I've done it!!!

Well, I've finally done it!! Got accepted into Uni AND created a blog!!! After searching for insightful websites to help me tackle my journey into academia at my ripe old age and coming up with nil, I decided to start one of my own. I hope this blog will encourage anyone who has ever doubted their own abilities, to put one foot in front of the other and achieve their ambitions, desires, dreams...no matter what they are. If anyone has any inspiring stories to share, I would love to hear them. I love an inspiring story!!!