tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404305187176881635.post1810659900063933799..comments2023-10-16T03:42:56.455-04:00Comments on Wandering Thoughts: Happy '08J.R.Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498164179579546593noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404305187176881635.post-41764687011117048182008-01-15T20:43:00.000-05:002008-01-15T20:43:00.000-05:00First and foremost, thank you for defending our fr...First and foremost, thank you for defending our freedom.<BR/><BR/>Next I just want to say, don't give up on that education. I started college when I was 31.<BR/><BR/>It was hard working full-time and going to school every night and trying to keep the grades up along with taking care of a wife and 3 kids.<BR/><BR/>After you do it for a while you'll get in the groove and it won't seem as hard.<BR/><BR/>I didn't want to take other peoples' money and work part time either. What I did was instead of taking the freebies which to me seemed like charity and living off my fellow man, I just took out student loans and paid them back when I was done.<BR/><BR/>It took me 8 years to get that BSEE. Another 3 to get the MScCE and 5 more years after that to finally get my Ph.D.<BR/><BR/>I was 47 and doing my post doctoral work. Them young kids think its tough. They don't know tough. Try putting together a dissertation while working full-time and being over 40 years old.<BR/><BR/>The old synapses start to misfire now and then once you get past 40. It gets a little harder to learn new things and it takes a lot more to remember them.<BR/><BR/>I got depressed and wanted to quit so many times but somehow pulled it out of the fire everytime.<BR/><BR/>I guess my point in all this rambling is to try to encourage you by telling you that if this dumb old Georgia country boy with a 9th grade education and a GED can do it, I am damn sure that one of Uncle Sam's finest can do it.<BR/><BR/>Pace yourself and do the best you can man. Never give up and never let a professor see you sweat. They love to make you jump through hoops. It's more than worth it in the end.<BR/><BR/>Good luck and God Bless.<BR/><BR/>JoeAssrothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14093506505019819353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404305187176881635.post-77891733965609254812008-01-08T01:14:00.000-05:002008-01-08T01:14:00.000-05:001) You're in a marathon, not a sprint. It's OK to ...1) You're in a marathon, not a sprint. It's OK to take it easy.<BR/><BR/>2) Try to take stock in your achievements, contributions to your country, etc.<BR/><BR/>3) Do your best to enjoy your coursework and university experience.<BR/><BR/>We're all pullin' for you.Habbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08218033439782705872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404305187176881635.post-58057646276753979242008-01-06T15:11:00.000-05:002008-01-06T15:11:00.000-05:00Oooh - a history teacher? That sounds AWESOME! Go ...Oooh - a history teacher? That sounds AWESOME! Go you! <BR/><BR/>And yeah.. slow and steady, as it were. <BR/><BR/>Many blessings to the both of ya. :)Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682072668997410668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404305187176881635.post-22045384049852122452008-01-04T13:07:00.000-05:002008-01-04T13:07:00.000-05:00John, I was pickin' my jaw up off the floor when I...John, <BR/>I was pickin' my jaw up off the floor when I first heard how many hours you were takin'. I figured you were heedin' Zevon's philosophy of "I'll sleep when I'm dead."<BR/>I respect you so much, Dear friend I can't wait to meet. You have had a life rich with experience, already. And you're planning so many more with your love.<BR/>John, please be patient with yourself. Perhaps you are impatient because of the time you feel you have "lost". But, you have so much time left. I look back at 36, and all I have learned since then. Shoot, I hadn't even started grad school at 36, and you're almost 1/2 way through!<BR/>Although it's not part of your regular reading... please take a look at Ecclesiastes, I think it's chapter 8. It's the verses that "talk" about a season for every activity. Even if a person doesn't believe in the reputed source of the verses, it's still a good philosophy.<BR/>I wish you and Jordy every happiness in the coming year, but especially I wish you health and time.HollyBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17644166795449256850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404305187176881635.post-67191681422251079522008-01-03T10:03:00.000-05:002008-01-03T10:03:00.000-05:00You've been through and seen a lot, and I know tha...You've been through and seen a lot, and I know that can be wearing. In my opinion, at 36 you're just getting started. I think 2008 will be a great year for you. Cheers!phlegmfatalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08636803080525003892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404305187176881635.post-61027890427363637512008-01-02T15:56:00.000-05:002008-01-02T15:56:00.000-05:00Thanks to both of you.I'm still waiting to hear ba...Thanks to both of you.<BR/><BR/>I'm still waiting to hear back from Richmond BOE. If any history positions open, I could be teaching this semester...J.R.Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498164179579546593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404305187176881635.post-3211493687227494572008-01-02T15:49:00.000-05:002008-01-02T15:49:00.000-05:00I don't know anything about reintegration, but if ...I don't know anything about reintegration, but if I can help with the school teaching thing, give me a call. My number is in the address thread in two forums you know how to find.Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15824445546892392815noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404305187176881635.post-67015731893102873762008-01-02T15:11:00.000-05:002008-01-02T15:11:00.000-05:00We love you man. Anytime you need to talk, you go...We love you man. Anytime you need to talk, you got my mail and phone #, brother. If you ever want to talk about the whole reintegrating into civilian life thing, I'm here w/ the experience. -ScottAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08964832014273052779noreply@blogger.com