almost

so I graduated from high school 11 years ago and went straight to college at the University of Northern Colorado.

and I took a lot of classes, and I did alright.  I went full time and then part time for almost 5 years.  I also worked full time at a certain Italian restaurant. Eventually I was offered the opportunity to travel and I took it... and dropped out of school while saying the thing that everybody says when they drop out: "I'm definitely going to finish.  I'm just taking a break."  And I meant it. 

and then life took me on a great big adventure. 

a lot of it sucked.

a lot of it was awesome.

some of it involved me going back to school for a little bit, but I didn't finish anything.

I have a had some really good jobs, and learned a lot.

working hard and excelling has never been a problem for me.

but finishing a degree has always felt like an impossible dream. 

a few months ago I decided to see what of what I've taken I could apply to an associates degree, and take what I needed to take to finish. 

I also decided to take some classes to get certified in work that I have already been doing (the part of my job I love the most) and would like to continue growing in: event planning.

the moral of this story is I only needed 3 more classes to finish my Associates Degree, and I'm 5 classes away from my certification in Events Planning. 

in August I will have a degree in hand. 

in December I will also have my certification.

taking 11 years to finish an Associates Degree doesn't sound like an accomplishment.

but it is.

at least for me. 

P.S. get ready for posts re: Ballroom Dancing, because I'm taking it this summer to satisfy a "lifelong wellness" requirement.  I'm pretty sure Matt is hoping I have a girl for a dance partner.  I'm just hoping I can dance.