#10 Graduate From College

Task Started: March 2009

Task Completed: May 2011

From Monday, February 23, 2009

Good News!! Guess who has two thumbs and is starting college on
Monday!? This girl!

After two weeks of scrambling the most random of documents together, it's official: I will be starting school on Monday! I'm so freakin' excited about this whole idea that I can barely even stand it.

I'll be starting at Steven's Henager to get an Associate Degree in Medical Specialties, which is a pre-requisite to become an RN. I've looked into this particular field and have decided that you get the most bang for your buck not to mention the fact that you not only have good pay but you're guaranteed a position wherever your heart desires to move. RN's are in high demand these days and the timing couldn't have worked out more perfectly. So, I'm off...wish me luck!

This post doesn’t really give my reader much insight into the meltdown that happened right after my 29th birthday. But trust me, a meltdown did in fact happen and it was spectacular. Unlike my other meltdowns, this particular one involved an important step – making a decision to do something about the situation instead of just complaining about it. So, after 3 months of a dead-end job search and 10 years of avoidance, I signed over my soul to a student loan and enrolled in college. I worked hard every day, picked up a 2nd job and basically gave up on my social life. The hardest of course being that last part. But all of it paid off, because last night I graduated summa cum laude. The reason this is such a big deal for me is that for the first time in my life, I set a goal for myself and accomplished everything that I set out to do.

Many of you have been asking me about the next step. Someone recently told me that they don’t see me being a nurse, they see me being the ‘sergeant nurse’…..so I’m looking into some programs where I can become just that. Let’s face it - I’d rather give the orders than take them anyways. The schooling will continue, but for now, I’m going to go ahead and check this one off and celebrate the moment.

My only regret was not investing money in coffee.

#99 Join an online dating service

A few months ago, my friend Michele helped me fill out an online dating profile. And when I say helped, I mean she did it for me....after a few glasses of wine. It retrospect, it was a fun night. We laughed hysterically when she posted some outrageous answers and I nearly cried from laughing so hard when she completely failed the motor skills test. Which is kind of a weird thing to have to complete as part of a dating profile, yes?

Since then, my inbox has been filled with potential 'matches' based on the results of this profile. I haven't read any of their profiles. I haven't looked at any of their pictures. I'm not even sure what my user name and password are because....yep, you guessed it....Michele did that too. Believe me, if I could delete this profile, I would.

The one positive thing that this profile has brought into my life is a realistic, genuine, even candid approach to figuring out what is important to me in a relationship. I've done a lot of soul searching this past year and throughout that process I've learned many things about myself. Like how I appreciate spontaneity and passion in a relationship mixed with a pinch of playfulness and a generous helping of chasing each other around the bedroom. I also value, more than anything else, honesty and integrity from my 'better half'....and from myself.

So, here's the truth....for the first time in my entire life, I am not defined by my relationship (or lack thereof). I have never felt better about myself and I believe that is because I have started taking better care of myself, listening to what my gut is telling me, and making more sound choices. I'm not a roller coaster of emotions anymore, my anxiety is nearly gone (down from epic levels just a year ago), and....well, I even look better (I've lost nearly 25 pounds since last year).

So, while I appreciate the concern from countless friends and family regarding my relationship-well-being; please don't mistake my confidence as a single woman for complacency or fear. I'm completely open to a relationship if one should appear. But I'm also blissfully happy being single. I am...in every sense of the word....happy.

So as for completing this one off my list....it's on hold. At least until I can figure out how to delete Michele's profile and replace (if need be) with my own. :)

XOXO

Mand'e