In which I Orientate.

That's a funny phrase, isn't it? But that is what I did today. I had my orientation for Empire State College today. At the rate things are going, I guess it looks like I will start taking classes in January. How typical, 40 and back to school. But really, I am very excited and optomistic as I have been mulling over something like this for awhile now. Gosh, did I report how when I was at KAAN in Boston, that Maggie (great mom from KAAN, friend of Margie) really just tipped over my bucket of indicision and influenced me to begin the actual process? She really was the inspiration. I got to see her at the Ethics conf in VA and tell her that I had applied and was accepted. She was so pleased..she got all teary eyed..it was really nice to share that with her. So that's what did it really. See, ESC is realy cool because it is for students exactly like me. Busy with life, hectic schedules, all over the place, did lots of stuff but no real degree, etc. So I was able to transfer my credits from my early child ed degree at NCC, and I will be able to get all these actual college credits for life experinces. Between the two, I can come in having up to 96 credits, and then have to get the last 32 from ESC. BUT: That work I can all do independantly, or in study groups, or online, or in another school or really however I want to! And 32 credits is like what? A YEAR? And I get to design what my degree is! So I have a mentor.. and I met with him next..and fiqure out what I need to take.nTe idea being a fast track to my BA or BS or BPS.. an then.. Masters! Now I am not sure how this all works.. which is why it is god that i have this mentor that does know all these things.. coz what i want to do is get to a place where I can say "I am an adoption therapist specializing in loss and greif work specifically for mothers who surrendered" ... Crazy..right? But I think I can pull it off. There ae so so so many kooky self help peps all over these mountains where i live that i could probably throw an ad out tomorrow in the Chronogram (who couldn't be bothered, by the way, in doing anything for reg day..hmmp) and get away with it. But i would feel like a fraud. While i might fit in with the master cleanser Riki Crystal moon star..or something..I don't think I have studied enough the theraputic relationship to be..not dangerous! And that is scarey! But if I actually go to school and learn all the stuff i need to know... and then I won't be a phoney balony.. and then i could have a practice as such.. and that would be really good..since there is no one doing that kind of work in this area at all! So it would be good.. doing adoption related things all day.. and really helping people. At least that's the idea. The plan for now . The key word being ..now. It's at least a two year plan..more like three..and who knows what could happen in the next few years...as we plan, God laughs...but i like it on paper. ***** I have a new IRL mom friend... she found me from online, but lives here by me. We are the same age, so are our kids...we had a pregnancy and relinquished at the same time. In any case.. it's very cool and I like having someone to just visit and talk with. She's newer to all this adoption crap....both in emotional space and just what's out there/here to know...so i guess i have a roadmap to share? I do alot of "that's normal"..in anycase the other day she said she feels better after talking to me. That really meant something. Maybe I am finially orientating in the right direction?