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So I am about half way through my first semester back in school. I thought of this as somewhat of an experiment. I was told while registering for classes that I wouldn’t be able to take a full load and work full time. They said either my classes or my job would suffer. I decided to do it anyway because I, like most people, have an optimistic bias. 

It has definitely been a humbling experience, but I am proud to say that I have maintained this schedule without losing my sanity (I have lost a lot of sleep though). Coffee has been my best friend and my books have been my social life. Work is now my vacation from school and visa versa. But I am making high marks on all of my assignments, all while still paying my bills on time. I even managed a 4 day mini vacation to Miami :)

Being crunched for time has taught me to appreciate the little things more. I have never appreciated music as much as I do now. It can turn the most mundane study session into a party. Going to the gym has become less of a hobby and more of a therapy session. I get to blow off steam for about an hour before I return to reality. During the little free time that I actually come up with, I find myself living in the moment more then ever. I refuse to be bored. Prior to my experiment, or what I like to refer as “Project Overload”, I took most of these things for granted. Hopefully I can carry this new perspective with me throughout the rest of my life.

Since it is almost Valentines Day I decided to write about my first love. I can still remember the first day I met her. It was a warm, summer day many years ago. I had just gotten my first job a few months prior and had been saving for up for this day in advance. She was the only one I noticed that day, none of the others could compare.  I knew at first sight— it had to be her.

I don’t know what exactly drew me to her. Maybe it was the six-speed transmission, or the V8 engine. The leather seats were a nice touch. All I knew is that after months of saving I finally had enough money to buy my dream car. A 2004 pontiac GTO. It really was love at first sight. In the years that followed, my love and I had some crazy adventures. We were always together, no matter what. We used to love to get pulled over together. I would even catch people “checking her out” in the parking lot while I was not around. I truly cherish every moment we spent together.

Most young loves come to an end, and mine was no exception. We parted ways last year. I realized it was time to grow up (just a little). I needed money for school tuition. As much as it broke my heart to sell my dream car, I knew it was for the greater good: debt free education. I also knew that despite all the memories, it was just a car. Not a person. Besides, there’s an old saying, “if you love something let it go… if it comes back, it’s yours”. That’s exactly what I did.

Also I wrote the VIN number down so I can find it again once I am done with school :)

I have always wondered when old age began. When you have kids? When you go gray? When you retire? Is it a specific age that defines being old, or is it a defining life event? Are you old when you stop being “cool”? After coming back to school I think I may have found the answer. My classes are made up of all age groups; from teens all the way up to middle aged. They are all working towards bettering their lives by getting an education. You become old when you stop progressing. When you become content with your life. It doesn’t matter what your age is or where you are in life. What matters is your attitude. By coming to this realization I feel like I have discovered the fountain of youth. It’s setting goals. Always finding ways to improve and to advance yourself. Being happy with your life while at the same time never allowing yourself to be content. I honestly believe that most people do not reach their full potential in life. They become drained. They get lost in the daily grind. They are stuck in an endless cycle of getting through the work day, yearning for the weekend so they can “relax” and “unwind”, only to repeat it all again the next week. So I have decided to do two things: First, to never stop setting goals and second, to find joy in every situation. This blog post will serve as my motivation to never grow old.

I have two dogs; Jessie and Rocky. I have known them both for over 10 years. They may be the strangest creatures on Earth. They truly are an enigma. If I have nothing to accomplish that day they will lie in their beds and stare at the wall. But when it’s time to study? That means play time! They have a strange obsession with publix deli meats, specifically salami. Pull out a piece of Boars Head salami and their eyes grow to the size of quarters, while their noses fixate on the aroma of the salted meat. They are small dogs, weighing less the 50 lbs combined. But on walks they pull with the force of a team of sled dogs on an Arctic expedition. They will willingly enter a cage in exchange for the guarantee that they will be given a “treat”.

At first they feared thunder. After some time they began to associate rain with thunder, and they feared the rain. Now they fear the possibility of rain and serve as our own personal weather forecast. The oldest dog, Jessie, can sense a thunder storm hours before the clouds even form. Sometimes, for no apparent reason at all, they will stand near the pantry and bark. Demanding to receive a treat. They know they are not allowed on furniture. Except if no one else is the room, then all bets are off. After family dinners have ended, and we have all gathered in the living room, one might notice that Jessie and Rocky are nowhere to be found. That is because they have made it on top of the table, using the chairs as a midway point, and are now in whatever leftovers were unguarded.

But perhaps the strangest thing my dogs do is nothing at all. Sometimes they just lay there, by my side. When I am stressed, they lay by my side. Upset? They are by my side. Bad day at work? They are by my side. Angry, depressed, full of rage, hopeless, alone… by my side. And all they ask for in return is the occasional treat and a full bowl of water and food.

Early last October I turned 27 years old. I had been working my current job, as an EMT for Dekalb County 911, since 23 years old. I had always been content with it. I had developed a passion for the work we do and the people I worked with. I was able to pay my bills and live a comfortable life while doing the things I enjoyed. I never thought much about the future until a few days before my 27th birthday. We had just brought a patient to the hospital when I saw another EMT loading his stretcher into an ambulance. He looked to be about 60 years old; grey hair, wrinkles, the works. I watched as he struggled to lift the stretcher into the back of the ambulance. He looked tired. The type of tired that 40 years of running 911 calls all night would do to you. I saw glimpse into my own future. I saw no retirement. I saw 30k dollars a year for the next 40 years. I saw a bad back. 

At present time I love my job. I get a thrill out of it. I get a sense of satisfaction when we prevent someones loved one from passing away. I get a laugh when people call 911 for a hangover. The money isn’t great, but it gets me by. I wondered if I would feel the same way down the road, as I struggle to lift the stretcher.

I decided I would not stick around to find out. It was time to be proactive and make changes. It was time to go back to school! I began collecting the necessary information to apply. I scheduled and passed my entrance exam. I attended orientation and registered for classes. I sold my car to pay for tuition. Everything I had planned was slowly coming to fruition. There was just one thing I had forgotten…

My bills. My mortgage. These things did not fit into my plan. I would have to work. 12 hour days on an ambulance can be grueling. Add in 12 hours a week of college courses on top of that. But I was now determined to do it. And to not let up in either my career or my school work. 

So now here I sit, working over night on the ambulance. The fire station was nice enough to let me use their wireless internet to complete my blog assignment. I had to take a few breaks in between writing this to “work” when people called 911, but I was able to complete it. I know I can succeed in this, with a little determination, and a lot of CAFFEINE. :)