Farewell and Good Luck

    It is really hard to believe that it is already time to write my last blog for my Master's course.  When I first began this journey almost two years ago, I had no idea how to blog or if I was doing it right and this has become just one of the many things I have been introduced to through this course.  One of my favorite courses was the course on child development and how we had a chance to look at the fetus as it grows all the way up until the age of eight.  I have taken child development classes for my undergrad degree, but I never got to look at this in so much depth.  I am now working with infants and being that I currently have no children of my own, I have always been a bit anxious that I was not doing the right thing or that I lacked the proper knowledge.  This course really helped me feel more comfortable and I gained a lot of useful I share with families to this day.
    Another course that I enjoyed was the course on budgeting.  It gave me  chance to work directly with my director on realistic budget issues our center has each day.  I understand now why we do the things that we do and I can explain these things to the employees now too.  Being on the other side, I never understood how limiting a budget can be, so it was so important for me to have a chance to look at this.  I also liked that we had a chance to make our own budgets because, even thought I struggled getting all my figures exact, it was great hands-on experience should I ever have to do the real thing.
     I also learned a great deal from doing my capstone project.  I never realized the information that was available on natural outdoor learning environments and I never thought I would love it so much.  I enjoyed doing the research and dare I say, creating my project.  Even though it was stressful, it seemed like something that was so beneficial.
    The last thing I learned and the one that I feel is the greatest, is the reminder of how important time management is.  There were a number of days/nights when doing homework was the last thing I wanted to do, but I stuck it out and knew that it was in my best interest.  I have always been good at time management, but this program has taught me that I can work full-time, be in school and still maintain an active personal life outside of all of this.  I moved 3 times during this program and took two major vacations out of the country and each time I was able to balance everything.  (even if it was just a bit stressful).  Maintaining a balance is truly important and it is this that I also take away from this experience.  I believe in hard work, but you also have to have time for yourself, your family and your friends.  I also learned that I really can accomplish anything I set my mind too.  
   As for my long-term goal, I really don't know.  People at work and in my family have asked me "What do you want to do now?" and I don't have an answer yet.  I am just looking forward to having some time to process what I want to do and not rush into anything.  I really enjoy my job that I am doing right now and I think I would like to continue moving up within the organization, but I really don't know what the future holds for me.  I'll just take it day by day.
   I want to thank everyone in this program and course for being so incredibly supportive.  Without all of you, I don't think I could have done this.  We have all worked so hard and I am so excited to move on to the next journey, as I am sure all of you are as well.  As of right now, I have plans to go to graduation in Orlando in Jan. 2014 so maybe I will run into some of you there.

I found these three quotes and chose to end my submission with them because they all have meaning to me in my personal and professional life.  It's been a year full of changes, which all turned out to be positive, and I think all of these quotes are great because we must accept the challenges that come along, own our lives and love what it is we do every day!!

“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” – Joshua J. Marine

“Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else.” – Les Brown

“It’s not about how much you do, but how much love you put into what you do that counts.” – Mother Teresa

Congratulations to everyone and I wish you all the best in whatever your next adventures will be!!  Now go have a cocktail....we've earned it!!