Some people are lucky enough to get a second chance. A redo. A fresh start. We swallow our pride and embrace this rare opportunity.
Friends, I am pushing my pride aside and saying loud for all to hear, "I am human. I make mistakes. I learn from them. My destiny is in my hands!" Boom. How about them apples??
I have been super lucky to have had many second chances in my life. My college education has been a big struggle in my life. I cannot say that I would change it because if I did not go to WSU then I would have missed out on some awesome experiences and I would not have some of the wonderful friends that I have today (shout out to you Coug friends!). What I wish I would have done is 1. focused more and actually study 2. enter college and be open to any degree and program rather than putting all my eggs in one basket. We saw how that turned out. Poor.
I won't get into the nitty gritty of why I did not finish at WSU because it's personal and only a few people really know the true reason. It's personal. It's a sensitive issue. It was a learning experience to say the least. A HUGE eye opening experience. The jist of it is, I had three majors while at WSU, never finished any and then took a few years off. School is not for everyone, I get that. I know that. I felt that. I felt defeated. I let my parents down. I ruined the implied plan they had for me. I failed. I felt alone. I felt empty. I needed a change.
That's when a second chance came...
I ended up working at the good ol' hotel, motel, Holiday Inn.....Express ;) I remember talking to my boss (hands down, one of my favorite bosses and persons ever! Love you Tee-Dub!!) and asking if I could work full-time since I will not be going back to school in the fall. I didn't want to go back to Seattle just yet....again, if I did, I would not be where I am today. I would not be who I am today. For that, I am thankful.
Holiday Inn Express was my home for a while. I ended up getting a promotion and working in Lewiston for a couple years. I think I aged quite a bit. I was 23 when I became the Assistant General Manager. It was hard. I worked long hours. I dealt with so much stuff that no one, especially a 23 year old woman, would want to deal with. Again, it was hard. I felt alone again. I felt empty. I needed a change.
That's when a second chance came...
I got a job as an Administrative Assistant at the University of Idaho. They offer this sweet benefit for staff that allows staff members to take up to 6 credits a semester for, get this, it's the kicker.....$5 a credit! Oh Snap!!!! How could I NOT take advantage of this incredible opportunity...so I did. I slowly started taking classes and found out that I actually liked it. I found a major that I was good at, I loved and studying wasn't bad when you like the topic! Could this be? Yes, it could. It was. I ended up going back to school full-time to finish my degree and a year and a half ago, I graduated from U of I with a B.S.F.C.S.
Thank you God, for the best second chance ever!
I never thought I would walk across a stage and shake hands with a University President. I never thought I would get a diploma. I never thought I would wear a cap and gown. I never thought I could finish what I had started ten years prior. But I did. My parents, my oldest sister Marin, Will, and my bestie Adri and her hubs Chris (Rachel, who was still in Africa was there in spirit!) all came to my graduation. It made me happier than words can express. I had to choke back tears while walking into the Kibbie Dome. Ya, I know. Dork. I was overwhelmed with emotion.
I am so proud of myself. I conquered a huge challenge and I did it well.
Today second chances, I am thankful for you.
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