School: The Plan.

I'm going back to school.

I'm telling you all this because I feel like if I say it out loud, I'm more likely to actually accomplish it.

I know that with planning a bridal shower and a bachelorette party, making arrangements to fly to New Hampshire twice in two weeks for weddings, still doing Habitat, still visiting NCL every couple weekends, working on being a better person overall, and still not finding time for the gym is really more than enough for me to think about, but I really want to go back to school.

I requested some information from the University Center at my local community college regarding UCF's Elementary Education degree. There are three pre-requisites I'd need to take before I could even get started on my degree I think. But I want this.

I want this with the ultimate goal of traveling to Prague, or Vienna, or Viana do Castelo, or Milan, or Belgium to teach English. I've been vocal about this for a couple months now, but vocalizing it so far hasn't gotten me anywhere significant -- other than to get advice from several sources.

The way I see it, and the way some adults in my life see it (my eye doctor, my co-workers, friends of my co-worker), I have several options with this goal of mine.

1. I could get my teaching degree, teach in public schools in America to get experience, get my TESOL certification, and the cross the pond headed for Europe.

or 2. I could get my teaching degree, get into a career path with the US Government (via USAJOBS.gov), and start teaching English on military bases (which would probably be safer, but could potentially mean less traveling).

or 3. I could get my teaching degree, get my TESOL certification, and then ask a friend of a co-worker to pull some strings with a principal who coordinates teaching overseas to just toss me right into the mix with the least amount of rigamaroll. (this was actually the friend of the co-worker's idea, not mine. She's cool like that. And has done things like this multiple times in her life.)

Those are the three best options. And out of the three, I feel most safe with number two. I think getting a start with the government would probably make most sense for me. I'd feel safer, be guaranteed a decent salary (probably way above my standards for 'decent') and hopefully even a place to sleep, still have options to travel, and still be tied to the US (even if I'm in Belgium). Not to mention, military guys and I ... we go way back. (Hi Patrick.)

So step one: get my pre-requisites out of the way. They're things like Intro to Ed. Ooooooh intimidating. I don't mind taking classes like this because I'm pretty damn sure they'll be cake for me. I just sort of resent that I even have to take the time on them.

Actually, step one would be getting my financial aid cleared, getting signed up with UCF (through the UC), and getting enrolled in some classes. So first and foremost, I need to talk to a counselor. Perhaps I'll call on my lunch break today. =]

So, dear readers, this is my plan. I think it will make my life more meaningful and I pretty much need that. Keep me in check.