Sunday News #33
Feeling
I’m still feeling a bit overwhelmed as I try to get in the swing of things with school. This week has been such a whirlwind of things happening, I’m still trying to make heads or tails of it all.
I accidentally slept through my alarm on Tuesday and missed my classes altogether. This put me on edge emotionally and I t started me down the path of wondering about what I actually want in life. I also spent some time thinking through what I want out of school.
It’s been more and more of a struggle to keep going to school due, in part, to my Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), PTSD, anxiety, and depression and, in part, to wondering if I’m going to school for ME or for other people. When I first quit my job in May 2018 to go to school, I decided after only one semester that I was going to school for my parents and stopped going.
I started going to school again last year because Doug, my therapist, said people with BPD do better with the skills they learn in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) if they’re working or going to school because it gives us a reason to get up and participate in life. I fully agree with him in this matter because when I don’t have something to live for, per se, I become severely depressed and in trouble of hurting myself. So, I decided I preferred going to school over working in a job I hated.
On Tuesday, however, when I asked myself if I’m going to school for me or others, I realized I really don’t want to be a math teacher. I adore math and I’m happy with my current knowledge of it. I don’t think learning more advanced math is going to help me achieve a life worth living. I decided what I want to do is actually hindered by school because I don’t have the time to devote to accomplishing those goals and, consequently, almost dropped back out. However, I realized I want to become fluent in Spanish and Japanese and school can help me accomplish those goals.
Let me explain why I want to become fluent in both Spanish and Japanese. I was in a Spanish immersion program for four years while I was in elementary school. I used to be pretty advanced in my Spanish speaking abilities, but I’ve lost a lot of it due to not using it. I also studied Japanese for two years while I got my Associate’s Degree.
I switched my major to Spanish. I would’ve declared Japanese as my minor, but my school doesn’t have one. They do have a proficiency certificate, though, which I’ll pursue along with my degree in Spanish.
Blogging
This week on the blog:
Reading
As I predicted last week, I didn’t get much reading done this week because of starting school on Monday. I did, however, spend some time reading before I went to bed last night. I started THE GOOD SISTER by Sally Hepworth. I’m really excited about this book!
Listening
I’ve been listening to my Faves playlist on the way to school each day. The song that stuck out to me the most this week is one of my very favorites. It’s the Glee version of “Somebody that I Used to Know” by Gotye.
I love this version as much as I do because one of the singers is Matt Bomer, one of my celebrity crushes. In this version of the song, Matt Bomer is Darren Criss’ (first singer) older brother.
Watching
I haven’t watched a lot of TV or movies this week. However, Corey and I had the chance to see ROGUE ONE on the IMAX on Friday night. It was awesome, except for the audio. It was, “just too darn loud.” (A little BACK TO THE FUTURE humor for you. ) When we got home from the movie, we immediately watched A NEW HOPE.
Loving
I love all three of my teachers. They’re all native speakers of their respective languages. My Japanese teacher’s from Nagoya, Japan. One of my Spanish teachers is from Spain and speaks with a very thick Spanish accent, which I adore. My other Spanish teacher is from Guatemala.
I love learning languages from native speakers because I get to hear authentic pronunciation and intonation. Also, they’ve all had to learn a second language so they understand what it’s like to be nervous speaking in front of others.
Wanting
I want to show you my cool new backpack. I love Vera Bradley and couldn’t resist this backpack when I saw it. (I took these pictures on Monday so my “I’m a Math Major” pin is still on the backpack.)
I also want to comment on other blogs today. I haven’t done any of that this week because I’ve been so busy. Thank you to those of you who still commented on mine even though I haven’t returned the favor!
Needing
I need to get a new license plate for my car. If I get one with my school’s mascot on it, I can park slightly closer to the school. Because those kinds of license plates can only have five digits, I want to customize it so it says OLLIE, which is the name of my car. If OLLIE’s already taken, I’ll substitute a zero for the O and a 1 for the I so it says 0LL1E.
How was your week? Anything exciting happen?
I’m glad you have your studies figured out. Since you don’t need something that will open a career path for you, at least you can concentrate on something you enjoy, and better benefit from the school environment for the reasons you stated. Cute backpack BTW!
Thanks, Roberta! 😀 Yeah, I’ve never really wanted a career. I wouldn’t mind enjoying where I’m working. I know that’s the dream. Fortunately, I don’t have to worry about that right now.
Glee is on my permanent playlist as well. Just love love love love it.
Hmmmm… As a teacher myself, I can tell you – every year is different and life does have a way of carving it’s own path. You should just keep on moving and believe in the power that is within you….
Good luck for your week ahead.
Elza Reads
Thanks, Mareli! 😀 Moving forward is my main goal right now, whether that be academically or mental health-wise.
Congrats on working out what you want to do. A degree in Spanish will open up a lot of employment doors as well as make the international travel experience even more wonderful. The Japanese proficiency certificate will do the same.
Thanks, Bonnie! 😀 Yes, I knowing a second and third language is not only helpful in communicating with others, it’s also helpful in employment opportunities.
Love the new backpack and I’m glad you were able to settle on what you really wanted to study.
Thanks, Alicia! 😀 Hopefully, I’ll be able to accomplish my goals.
Sounds like a week of big decisions. Good for you for recognizing what you really want. What a fun backpack! Good luck getting the license plate you want.
Thanks, Tanya! 😀 Yes, it definitely was a week of big decisions. Hopefully, I made the right ones. LOL.
It’s so brave to go back to school and to find out what you really enjoy doing. I wish you luck ☺️ I wish I was good at languages!
Have a great week ahead!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2022/08/28/sunday-post-46/
Thanks, Emily! 😀 Going to school is definitely hard and worth it. I know no everyone has the chance so I’m trying not to waste it.
I used to think that figuring out what I wanted to do with my life was so difficult, and I never really did figure it out. I lived in Japan for 3 years, but never really learned the language, and I wish I had. I had 2 toddlers at the time and I was just so busy. I’m glad you’re figuring out your life. I loved that Glee song, I used to really enjoy that show.
I understand, Wendy. 😀 Even though I want to pursue a degree in Spanish and Japanese, I’m still trying to decide what to do after school. I have some ideas of what I want to do, and I’m not sure how to accomplish them.
I think it’s awesome that you got to live in Japan for three years, even if you didn’t learn the language. My sister did the same thing. Her husband was there for a job and she had two little girls to take care of so she didn’t get to learn the language as much as she would’ve liked.
Going back to school is hard and figuring out what you really want to do is harder. So great job!! I finally started college when I was in my 30s and since I love to read I figured an English degree would be my thing. But as I was working on my Associates degree I fell in love with Criminal Justice (took Intro to it as an elective), so I earned an AA and an AAS in Criminal Justice in 2008, but have done absolutely nothing since. Life just kinda got in the way of going further. Maybe some day. Who knows?
Thanks! 😀 That’s really neat that you discovered a love for Criminal Justice. Part of me was hoping college would open up something like that in all my elective classes, but it didn’t. I hope you get to go back someday and finish what you started. 😀
I love the backpack! Although there is a terrific need for math teachers, my district is also looking for three Spanish teachers. So if you ever wanted to teach it, it’s an extremely useful skill. (will also help you get any other job you want!)
Thanks, Margaret! 😀 I’m not sure exactly what I want to do with my degree once I finish it. I’ve thought of being a translator, but I’m not sure yet.
I’m glad you figured out what you wanted and why for your schooling! That is so important and hopefully, you will be happier with your studies 🙂 I didn’t get much reading done this week either, but hopefully next will be better for both of us. Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks, Cindy! I’m hoping this will make a difference in going to school as well. I have loved all my classes this week once I moved into Spanish and Japanese. 😀
That’s amazing! I’ve been learning Spanish on my own for years and studying language learning in general. I’m happy for you that you are pursuing something you are interested in! I’m fascinated by languages and translation. Keep us posted on how it’s going.
Oh, that’s really neat that you’ve been studying Spanish on your own. I’ve thought about doing that as well. I just don’t have enough motivation to do it on my own. That’s why I’ve decided to keep going to school 😀
Sorry to hear it was a tough week! I can totally relate to wondering if you’re doing something for the right reasons- or for a reason at all. lol But seriously I’m glad you switched t osomething you feel passionate about. I like Japanese culture and a lot of the things I learn about that country just from casual osmosis I guess you’d say, so if your passion is Spanish and Japanese I say good for you!
Good luck with your plate. 🙂
Thanks, Greg! 😀 I love the Japanese culture as well. Spanish and Japanese have been something I’ve been interested in since I was young. Spanish because of my immersion program and Japanese because my brother lived there for a couple of years when I was only three years old. When he came home, he brought a lot back from living there including speaking the language, which I loved listening to.
It must be great to be good at learning languages as diverse as Japanese and Spanish. Good luck with it.
Thanks, Harvee! I do love learning languages and about other cultures. 😀
I hope you enjoy your new path forward in school, although think a little about what you will do afterward. My daughter likes languages as I did but couldn’t come up with a career fit. My sister-in-law is from Brazil and speaks fluent Spanish, Portuguese and English and couldn’t find one either. She’s worked mostly in finance.
Thanks, Anne! 😀 My husband’s job is lucrative enough that I don’t have to worry about a career. I’m going to school to finish my Bachelor’s and give me something to do. Having something to do helps me stave off my depression more easily.
Sounds like you had a busy week with some big decision making. I’m glad you figured things out. Beautiful backpack. I love it.
Have a great week!
Thanks, Yvonne! 😀 It definitely has been a busy and eventful week.