(no subject)

I went to a seminar today at the New Horizons Center in Troy. That's a computer skills training center. Now that I'm finally getting hired full time at my job (Yes! I've been trying to find out details since Friday 'cause the guy's never in his office/not busy, but I will talk to him about it tomorrow) I'm seriously attempting to start going to school. My raccoon sent me out to a job fair not long after I moved out here, when I was still looking for work and shuffling between temp jobs, and there was someone there from New Horizons. Their program sounded promising, but I was not in a situation to do anything about it.

So, it's a six month program that ends up with me getting 5 IT certification; A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA, and CCNA. It goes four nights a week from about 6 to 10 and it starts on the 12th of next month. The seminar made it sound really good and I have a one on one consultation on the matter on Thursday after work. I was practically bouncing up and down driving home as I considered this. Finally, I'll be working toward doing what I really want to do as far as job/career stuff goes. It'll be tough having so much less time with my beloved, but I think we can manage. We'll just have to make up for it on the nights when I am home.

The reality check is that the total cost of the program is about $17,500. Even with a $150 a month loan deferred for a year (the usual deal through their financing department. I'll probably check with both them and my bank to see if I can get a better deal) that's a lot of money. However, I think it'll be more than worth it. They have a job placement system that starts from the time you earn your first cert, and if they haven't placed you by the end of the course, they offer a gauranteed paid two week internship. An internship which, the woman leading the seminar said, they have never had to use at this particular location.

For several reasons, I'm beginning to appreciate my job more. 1: a steady job means I can (hopefully) qualify for a loan. 2: The hours are great for evening classes (though I wouldn't mind getting up a little later. 5:30 is tough day in and day out). 3: I sit in front of a machine for approximately 6 and a quarter hours a day. This is time I can study. Yes, study! This hadn't occurred to me before for some reason, but Sunday night I filled out notecards and over the last two days at work I memorized all the default IRQ assignments, default I/O addresses for all the COM and LPT ports, and most of the numerical POST error codes. If this keeps up, I'll be pretty well set!

We'll see what I discover at my meeting two days hence. (Wow, not so long ago I would have been far too frightened and unsure of myself to pursue a meeting like that, let alone the financial and general organization and dealing with people this requres. With the impetus of my beloved, I have grown beyond any expectation I could have had over the last year or so.) I am really, really excited about all this. Wish me luck, 'k?

*hugs*

(no subject)

My sweetie, though she is worried about me possibly overextending myself, thinks this schooling might be pretty good for me too. She did reiterate, though, that under no circumstances am I allowed to cut my hair. *grins* Well, I hadn't planned to anyway, but it's nice to hear that from her.

Anyway, the two of us are going to be in Wisconsin, specifically Racine and Kenosha, this weekend for Congenial. If anyone reading this is going to be out that way, do let us know so we can look for you!

I heard from my parents today. Seems my uncle (I think. Honestly I can't remember his exact relationship to me) Jim died. My family was out at his funeral today. My brothers and I have never really seen much of my dad's side of the family. We all get together once or twice a year and I never really got to know any of them. Still, I feel bad for my parents, particularly my dad, who knew him rather better than I. Not long after that, they called back to tell me that my grandfather, on my mother's side, was in the hospital. He's doing alright though. He's even in the hospital where my aunt Mary is head of the nursing department. Seems he started having trouble breathing not too long after getting back from New York state where he was a guest at a farrier's convention. After having felt a little off through the trip, he went to his health club for a swim and started having trouble breathing. He's doing much better now, though doctor's aren't entirely sure what the problem is. Some say it's pneumonia, some say it's issues with emphezyma after having spent so many years in the smoke of a coal fired forge. Anyway, the good news is that he seems to be doing better.

I've had the most wonderful past couple days with my raccoon and tonight was even nicer. We've just spent time hanging out around the apartment together and it's been so peaceful and contenting. My life, in general, is pretty good right now.

I think I'm going off to bed. Goodnight world...