1. Parking sucked but wasn’t as bad as I thought…..traffic getting there was worse. 30 minutes for a trip that normally takes 10
2. my Graphic Design Essentials teacher is cute…really cute, not super cute but really cute. And get this……wait for it……………………………………………………………………………..he’s only 25!
3. I’m not as cool as I though I was
4. I’m not as uncool as my husband thinks I am
5. This is going to be alot more work than I thought
6. I really need a mac–pc ‘s not going to cut it
7. I forgot how much I love sitting in class stretching my brain
8. My laptop is way to big and heavy (see picture)
9. Art supplies ain’t cheap
10. My intro to Design teacher has alot of really cool things to say
11. Student critique of my work is going to be really hard one me
12.. I’m really excited about the projects for Design I
13. I love the idea that we don’t create in a vacuum…once our work is out there it’s open to critique and interpretation. People may not see in it waht we want them to but that’s ok. Everyone’s reality is different…just love this idea! (from Intro to Design)
14. I’m alittle worried about eventually getting a job in graphic design. There are lots of programs in Orlando churning out artists….I just have to be better than them….Hopefully I’m just that good
15. I’m lookng forward to learning the programs–Photoshop ( I kind of know it but not really), Illustrator and In Design
16. This is probably the hardest and most important reflection. I now know why going back to school as an adult with kids is so hard. It’s not the finding the time, it’s finding your identity. I really, really love being in school. I get to worry about just me and my needs. Getting MY work done. I forgot how good that feels. Then I got home and the kids were yanking me this way and that. I found I resented it. It’s like I got a taste of the good life and had to let go of it. I was just me for awhile and then I wasn’t. I seriously lost it. The pure sadness I felt really scared and surprised me. I love my kids but I forgot how nice life is without them. I know that sounds awful and I hate myself for saying it. hopefully that feeling will pass and I will be able to integrate the school me with the mommy me. If not, I fear for my sanity.
LilyArt Designs 
You’ll get used to balancing ‘you’ time and family time. Set boundaries. Tell the kids that you need time to unwind after coming home from school. Set a timer for 20 minutes and tell them you aren’t available ’til it goes off.
If you don’t adjust look on the bright side: someday the kids will grow up and leave home and you’ll have all of the time in the world.
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You will learn to juggle it. Eventually, school will take up so much of your time you’ll be yearning for family time again. Good luck convincing Neil to buy you a Mac. I’m sure Doug would be able to recommend a good one for you. He’s a Mac guy.
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It’s definitely a balance. I went back for my master’s when Jay was Madison’s age and it was really tough….and I was working full time to boot. It will take a bit to get settled into the routine but you’ll get it. It’s fun to get out into the “real world” and learn new things, meet new people and get a different perspective. Maybe you should make up some sort of calendar with a time schedule…something the kids can relate to. Jay used to climb up on my bed and read while I was studying…it was a way of connecting without taking time away from my studies.
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my mom went back to school when I was in the 4th grade…..it took some adjustment (for all of us!) but eventually it was fun with everyone sitting around the table doing homework. My mom learned things from us (mostly from how our teachers tried to structure our study time) and we learned really cool science things (she went back for a biology/chemistry degree) – that actually helped me win a science fair (yes – I’m a geek)
It’s just your first week – don’t hesitate to ask for help from Neil and of course, your gorgeous, wonderful, always helpful neighbors! (LOL!!!)
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YOU CAN and WILL DO IT girl .. trust me .. I did it twice .. so you can do it ..
Love that you put your thoughts out there like that .. the bomb girl .. I am glad to see another women doing something to BETTER herself and COMPLETE what she started .. go get em TIGER .. and umm you had me dying laughing at your post .. girl I heart you too boo … so what else you got planned .. and I am lovin the bling on that laptop.
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way cool. I really don’t have anything that hasn’t already been said. glad you made it thru your first day tho!!
Keep us posted!!!
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I love how you’ve listed your thoughts, Lily. Hang in there. You’ll get adjusted to it all. I just know that you will do well in school. Oh, and you totally need a Mac! 🙂
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Kudos to you for going back to school! I’m very jealous – especially the part about learning Photoshop & Illustrator. I wish I had switched from architecture to graphic design when I had the chance. If only then I realized how important that would be for my scrapbooking! LOL 😀 Yes, Mac is definitely the way to go. I’d still have one if my stupid AutoCad wasn’t PC only. Ok, enough of my griping! 😉 Way to go! And hang tough with those critiques.
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Awwwww – Lily! :O) Take every moment for what it’s worth, and enjoy this ride!! I’m rooting for you 100%
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Aww Lily….I’m about to post about my first HORRID week at school..so don’t feel bad..I got there and almost turned around and left….I felt SO out of place…and with the kids..we do homework together when I get home..I know that school is the place I am ME and home is the place I am mom….it’ll get better..build in study times at SCHOOL with your schedule if you can. I have about a 2 hour break on m/w/f- and it’s nice to be me in school with no issues. The kids will get used to it. I also do my best studying at the library alone! We can commiserate together!!!!!
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I can totally understand how you are feeling. Hopefully when you get into the routine, you’ll get a balance going between your school life and the “rest” of your life! It’s awesome that you are doing this! Best of luck!
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Well I think it’s totally cool that you’re going back to school! you’ll get into the swing of things!
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You can do this. You can.
Your “blinged” laptop rocks.
You are cool. You are fucking cool.
Let’s get “Take picture of Graphic Design teacher” on your TO DO list, please!
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