Being proud and owning who I am.

Hello Everyone! I haven't blogged in a couple weeks now since it's nearing the dreaded end of the semester crunch.  To me Fall term spirals to an end between two weeks of classes in addition to finals between Thanksgiving and Winter break. Final projects, papers, and no sleep, oh my!

I have really learned a LOT this year at school. I have tried things that scare the hell out of me in an effort to challenge myself artistically. I have grown so much, and tried so many new techniques, put hundreds of miles on my car for those few great images I still needed. I have really grown as a photographer this semester and I have learned that I am capable of doing things that I never thought I could. I have fallen in love with wandering around finding things and seeing them differently than most other people do, it is my passion.

Lets face it, I have never been the Girl that just did what she was supposed to. I have always been diverse and refused to adhere to the guidelines. Not necessarily in a bad way but in a "I refuse to be a carbon copy of what this world deems appropriate!" kinda way. I have been given the stink eye for most of my life for not being a traditionalist, but it just isn't in me to be a yes Woman. I seriously don't understand why most people are so afraid to think for themselves. I am an imaginative, innovative, and  productive member of society who just happens to have have a few tattoos, get over it.

Anyways, I suppose what I am trying to say is that I am proud of who I am! I have had numerous people in my life try very hard to trip me up along my journey through this world. To each and every one of you who ever told me that I couldn't do this shame on you! I am graduating in May Phi Theta Kappa! I am the first person in my immediate Family to EVER graduate from college and I am doing it with Honors. I am an intelligent, creative, kind Woman who takes school and life very seriously, but not so seriously that I can't laugh at myself, or have to keep up with the Jones's.  "The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."

My kids will NOT be the first generation of our Family to become educated. I have made sure they will never know the struggle of what it is like to earn a degree with no Family examples to look to for advice.  They can look at me and see that there is an education there for the taking, and they can do anything they put their minds to. I did not just do this for my Children, in large part I did it mostly all for myself. Although they certainly inspired me to keep going because I saw a rapidly approaching future and I knew for certain what I did, and did not want it to look like. Part of me feels released from the shackles of my upbringing.  My Education may never earn me a dime, but I still feel richer now than before I earned my degree.

Lastly in this post I want to thank my Family for all the support and love you have given me, I would have never made it here without you. Thank you to my Children who don't like it when I am busy and want to know when I will be done working so I can play with them. I know when you get older you will understand and appreciate the example I have set for you, and you will respect what I have achieved and be proud of me. To Ashley thanks for always being my Best Friend and standing by me through everything, I am so proud of the Woman you have become.  I would not be where I am today without the support and encouragement of my Fiancee Dan. My Mom who helped with the kids when I was busy doing homework, or going to class.

This has been been a very tough year starting with my Mothers cancer scare, recovery, and radiation treatments. It has been an uphill battle, but it looks like me & my Family are all winning the fight! I can finally let go of the chip society has put on my shoulder, and enjoy my life and continue to pursue my dreams. I am very proud of myself!