Two weeks ago after hulking out on some school obligations, I found the motivation to put some work back into the site and started posting again. The third item of business, in fact, was getting the Euphoria Makeup post OK to publish.
A few days after I started scheduling content, my state issued new guidelines requiring telework when possible. Frankly, it was already mandated, but the new order made it a bit more black-and-white. So, I have returned to working from home after two months back in the office (which itself was after two months of working from home).
This means that I can, “get away,” with wearing ridiculous bright colors if I find the inspiration to slap them on my face at 6AM. I only did it a few times before; but hey, it was fun so I might get to give my Electric palette something to do. In the dismal world we all find ourselves in at the moment, some frivolity is nice.
So – for fun (?) here’s some insight into what I’ve been up to:
School
In May 2019 I embarked on an adventure to earn a degree. I work in a field and role that conventionally requires one but it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been contrarian. It occurred to me that I have probably maxed out on how far I can go without one (unless I get entrepreneurial); since I desire further advancement, it is a necessity. At the start, I figured I’d be able to do this half-time at best and that it would take me about four years to get the first leg (an Associates) done. “That sucks,” I figured, “but it’s a necessary evil at this point.”
I sold myself short.
You see, because I am a psychopath impatient ambitious, I will graduate with an Associates in December 2020. With honors and all that shit no one cares about unless they have them and even then.
That’s a year and a half, while working full time at, in many cases, 50+ hours per week. (Someone Photoshop me a picture of Hermione Granger all disheveled and fiending a la Tyrone Biggums demanding to know, “Y’all got any of them Time Turners?”)
Anyway – How?
CLEP
First, CLEP exams. Many of them. College Board has exams that you pay a fee to take; you order a voucher, setup a test at a testing facility, and take it. If you pass, many colleges and universities grant credit for equivalent courses. This ends up being less than a fraction of a cost of a single credit, let alone a the cost of a single course’s 3-4.
This enabled me to knock out a ton of general education prerequisites – and a couple major-specific ones too, depending on your discipline. All in all, I’ve earned 19 credits. For me, that was the equivalent of six classes. This saved me a ton of time AND money. I will be using these to cover some other requirements I have for my Bachelor’s.
Summer Semester
If your school offers a summer semester take advantage of it. I like the pace of summer classes over a traditional semester; it’s a more efficient use of my time (arguably not better because sunshine [safely]).
I made the mistake decision to enroll full time this summer (12+ credits) because my school offers both ten and six week summer courses. The latter features two start times; May and July. I took two ten week courses and two six week courses in such a way that I’d only actively be working on three at a time. In any other year, I would be regretting this; but given the pandemic I’m happy to have something to focus on.
What’s Next?
I intend to take a few more courses at my community college that will ultimately transfer to the University I am enrolling in to earn my Bachelor’s. I just applied and anticipate no issues.
Assuming I don’t have a mental breakdown and/or the world does not descend into a full-blown apocalypse, my target is December 2023. That feels so long, especially with as weird as time seems to operate under the rule of CoVid-19, but will be here before I know it.
Ennui
Hi, we’re in a pandemic. Everyone is messed up right now. This needs little explanation. But I:
- learned to (kinda) sew and can make masks.
- have successfully created food (tomatoes) in a little container garden.
- give myself a full pedicure and gel overlay manicure every 2-3 weeks as-needed (really not new/CoVid-19 stir-crazy-prevention related).
- found some incredible products and colors that I can’t wait to share.
- exercise; I feel better physically and mentally when I do.
- tone my balayage (last refreshed them in February before the descent into chaos).
- contemplating taking a stab at a DIY refresh, but still not brave enough. also not necessary yet.
- use sunless tanner when it occurs to me (using St Tropez at the moment).
- intermittently setting up a 5×5 grapefruit kiddie pool in my backyard and lounging in it (with sunscreen)
- not blowdrying my hair very much – which is normal for summer anyway. I love my Dyson, btw – I’ve given myself permission to be, “lazy,” in this way more often.
The Bottom Line
Clearly, ye olde plate is full. and this simply had to take a back seat because it wasn’t sparking joy like it was. I won’t pretend to know if that’s, “all better,” now or if content inspiration is ephemeral. I haven’t been abstaining from product or makeup. To the contrary, in fact; while many colleagues were rolling out of bed into a video conference, I still got ready for the day (if for no reason than trying to have a make-believe boundary between home and work). I just need to find it in me to type up the fun things I’ve found.