My first real summer vacation in almost 20 years!

Today, I had my last class of the semester. What's that? you say. Last class?
Yes, well, in January of this year (it's been over a year since I've added any entries here. Sad, isn't it?) I began taking two classes at the graduate level. They were offered through UNO, to eventually be transferred to the U of Missouri.* My ultimate goal is to get my Masters Degree in Library & Information Sciences and, hopefully, obtain a position of leadership within a local, public library. As one friend said, "Why the hell do you need to go to school to work in a library?!" Well, to be honest, I want to do more than shelve books. I think shelving sounds great, and it's something I hope to do on my journey, but I don't want to stop there. I want to do so much more! Typically, the people who shelve books and even work the Reference Desk in a library are called "paras". These are the folks who make around $11/hour. I know, that's not a great wage, but I personally haven't even made that much since I left my office job about 8 years ago--so even eleven bucks an hour would be sweet. But once I get my Masters Degree, I'll qualify for double that. Not that it's about the money, though, because it's so not. I mean, I'm still a stay-at-home-mom... thus, I'm getting paid zero dollars an hour. ANYTHING would be an improvement. I'm not going into Library & Info Sciences to get rich (I don't see how one could get rich doing that); the point is, it's something I feel compelled to do. I feel like, at 40 years old, I've finally decided what I want to do when I grow up! Yay me!
So, I met with this FANTASTIC advisor, signed up for two classes (which, at the graduate level, is considered full-time and which I had to do in order to qualify for student loans). One of them was sort of difficult at times, but I managed pretty well, I believe. The other was extremely difficult--it was like learning a whole new language--and I'm pretty sure I got a decent grade (B-ish) out of that class! This has been my first semester, though, so we'll see how things go!
Oh, how did I take the classes? They were mostly administered online, with once-per-month face-to-face classes (i.e. regular classroom settings). It was fun, because I got to meet a whole slew of other terrific people who are interested in this too. I thoroughly enjoyed myself! I can't wait to take more classes. I should probably have signed up for a summer class, but:
*Okay, I had to take the GRE (Graduate Records Exam) as one of the many requirements for acceptance into the program at MU. I haven't taken a standardized test since I was a senior in high school. I tried studying for it, but I ended up scheduling the test for Dec. 29th of last year--yes, as in four days after Christmas! We'd had horrible blizzards, Christmas itself was postponed, plus John & Katrina and their kids (they've added a twin boy and girl to the mix!) were in town at the time, etc., so I didn't get nearly as much studying done as I should have. Yeah, okay, I got very little studying in! I was supposed to get at least a 500 in the analytical (math), at least a 500 in the verbal (vocabulary) and at least a 4 on the written. I got a 4 on the written, but fell below the 500 mark for both the math and the vocabulary. I was also to submit a "statement of purpose" (i.e. an admissions essay detailing why I feel like this is something I'm interested in), plus two letters of recommendation (I haven't seen them, but I'm confident they say good things about me), plus a resume (not the strongest resume anyone's ever seen, I'll admit), plus my GPA (okay, this again was not so positive--but I'm hopeful they'll look at the grades for these two classes I've just taken--which my advisor said they would). Unfortunately, I didn't realize I'd sent my GRE scores to the wrong school--I was nervous, okay? I was just about to take the test online, and out of the drop-down box of choices, I accidentally picked the wrong one! I didn't even realize it until last month--I should have heard something (even a rejection) from them by now, so I contacted them and found out they were missing my scores. So I've paid the $23 to have them re-sent and now I'm just waiting.... So I didn't sign up for any summer courses, a) because at the time everyone was signing up for them I didn't even know yet that MU didn't have my scores, and b) I need to make sure I'm accepted to MU before I take anymore classes--there's a limit to how many hours you can take without being admitted to the program. So I'll miss out on summer classes, but at least I'll find out soon that I need to retake the GRE (I sure hope not!) and will have time to study properly for it, OR I'll find out I'm being admitted despite my sucky scores (oh, please, God, please!) and I'll have a nice little break before jumping back on the horse!
So, today (yes, a Saturday) was the last day of classes for me. I know, it's the last week of April, and that seems early. But apparently, my two classes started before regular UNO classes started, so it's only right that they let out a bit early. I believe the rest of UNO will get out in a week or so. Not a huge difference. (Whereas my kids are in school 'til the first week of June!)

I have to say, so far, this has been a great adventure! I'm SO pumped about this! I have learned so much already, and I am really excited about the road I'm on! It feels right, and that makes me happier than I've been in a long time!