The big news around here is that Dan finally graduated with his bachelor’s degree!
He went back to school twelve years ago but was never very good at carrying a lot of courses and working full time, so it took him forever. For the last several years, he’s been just taking one class per semester, which at least had the advantage of being cheap since it was always fully covered by the university’s staff scholarship, which pays $1,500 per semester to any benefits-eligible staff member taking a class. So he graduates much later than I did, but with a considerably smaller debt load.
Those who believe in a life script with strict age-delimited timelines for doing certain things will of course say he should’ve gotten his degree decades ago. We don’t think much about scripts around here, though. Dan’s background is the kind from which young people, especially young men, are actively discouraged from seeking higher education. For an inner-city barrio boy who has roped cows from horseback in the mountains of New Mexico, lived at an ashram chanting and eating chapattis, and roadied for punk bands, to become a technology professional with a bachelor’s degree was the ultimate act of rebellion.
And now he’s talking grad school. I say take a little time off first and make sure you really want to make that kind of commitment. Ultimately, of course, it’s his road, his decision. He has one of the qualities I most admire when I find it in others—an openness to new ideas and the courage to reinvent himself when he finds the road he’s on has grown too dull or too narrow to hold him.
Congratulations, Dan!
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18 comments:
Scripts? We don't need no steeeenking scripts! You know what I think about scripts -- they're things that run on a computer, nothing more. :-D
Huge congratulations to Dan! That's an accomplishment to be proud of. He sounds like a wonderfully independent-minded guy who has lived -- and continues to live -- a fascinating life of discovery.
Kudos to him -- you must be so proud!
Congratulations, Dan. Reminds me of my dad, who had been farming for 10 years, had a wife and 3 children (and one on the way) before he decided to go to university to become a dentist.
There is no age at which we cannot learn.
Good for you, Dan.
Good for Dan! That's a wonderful accomplishment. I think we should live our lives in the order we see fit.
Huge congratulations, Dan! We're all proud of you over here at West of Mars!
Congrats to Dan!! His achievement is a reminder to all that we can do everything and anything we set our minds on.. and that it's never too late, either ;)
Well done Dan ! We tip our hats from the left to coast in your direction and wave cheerily.
WTG DAN! I can relate, I dropped out of High School at 16 and went back to college at 21, have stopped for now due to lack of money and transportation, but I'll go back ASAP! Timelines BAH!
Yay, Dan! I finished my first undergrad in my 40s while working fulltime, so can I relate. It's never, never too late. It's extra hard work when you're holding a full-time day job, but there's a huge satisfaction from graduating, particularly if no one expected you to or you've had extra roadblocks thrown in your way. And an extra yay for not having to deal with the student loans.
He's not completely without loans, but they're a lot less than mine!
Congrats .. a big accomplishment!
BG ... you DO need to go to www.bunnytunesusa.org and pick out your gift of one of the Bunny Tunes selections AND tell where you want the donation (which has been already paid in your name) to go .. what rescue org!
If this is all confusing, e-mail Jane at bunnytunesusa-orders@usfamily.net.
If it still does not make sense, email me at Pgypsy@wavecable.com and I'll try to explain it all!
Thanks and stay healthy. All running here in the PacNW where we live is cancelled unless you do snowshoes!
Congrats to Dan! That's fabulous news...go celebrate in a big way.
Congratulations, Dan!! Ask BG to cook some of her scrumptious macaroni and cheese to celebrate!
Huge congratulations to Dan! It's a lot tougher as an adult - so many more responsibilities, and you expect so much more from yourself so work that much harder!
My Mom got her B.A. in her 60's. It's a great accomplishment!
Congratulations Dan!!! What an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of yourself!
People who follow their own paths are my heroes.
Congratulations Dan!
Congratulations to Dan, and to you, BG, who's been along for the ride the whole time. I hope you two had a really cool celebration to mark this exciting accomplishment. I went back to college at 36 for my undergrad and finally earned it 39. Personally, I think adult students add a lot to the classroom and campus; really, we should get a discount from tuition for making the place more interesting! :-) (No offense to any of you youngins out there.)
Congratulations! This proves once again that you should always follow your dreams :) Nevermind the money, it can always be paid back little by little.
Congratulations to Dan! Now, that took some real stick-to-it-ness! Well earned!
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