Twenty-five days left in Public Education

I started the countdown of days at about 50, so I am half-way to my personal finish line. If I was independently wealthy, I would walk off the job. This year has been SO trying. I never thought it could have been such a crazy year. As chemistry team leader, I have had the privilege of dealing with extra problems for an extra conference period and $1100. I lost on this gamble. We have lost 2 full-time teachers, 2 long-term subs, hired 2 new teachers and dealt with the strangest problems all year long. Any time anyone said that it can't get worse, I knew something else crappy was going to happen! I have had 2 kids busted for drugs and just some strange interactions with people all year long. If it wasn't for the great students that I have that really make school worthwhile, I would just check out! But that is how it has always been, it is the relationships with kids and coworkers that make work fun. Not TAKS, special education law, endless paperwork and some mindless decisions by administration. As I said in one interview, "I'm trading one crappy set of paperwork for another." I am not so Pollyanna that I think there won't be different challenges, I am just ready for the different part.

I have finally completed all of my shots for school and had a clear TB test and sent the stuff in to the health office. I also was lucky enough to receive word that I will receive 2 different scholarships that will cover about 40% of my tuition for the next year. I was really happy about that, any way to remove some of the burden and future debt is welcome.

Also, I was invited to be a part of the Pre-entry program. I refer to this as the "Dear God, why did we let her in the medical school" program. I say that jokingly, because I know it would give me a leg up for the fall. Unfortunately, I am going to be having mother and daughter responsibilities that will preclude my attendance.

That said, I am getting the jitters. I hope that I will be able to do an acceptable job. I know the time commitment will be brutal as well as the volumes of material that I will have to learn. I don't want to let anyone down. That is a lot of pressure. There was an article in Newsweek about the level of suicides and depression in physicians. I will have to make sure that I get help whenever I need it. I am just so thankful that I have such a wonderful family to keep me grounded.

It is still such a wonderful feeling to be able to say, "I am going to medical school next year." It never fails that I giggle after I say that like a little girl! I know that this time next year I will probably be thinking I should have never giggled at the beast that is MS-1.