Contemplations on Laziness

I've been thinking....

"Great, here we go again!"

No...no...these are just some thoughts I've been having in general. About goal-setting, future plans, life in general.

Today a friend is taking her GRE. She's in her 30s, like me...and has young sons, like me...and is an Air Force wife, like me. UNLIKE me, she's gotten off her rear-end and uses the time while her sons are in school to go back to school herself and this spring will be graduating from college. She's already submitting applications for a PhD program, location subject to where her husband gets stationed next.

Another friend, who I went to high school with, earned her PhD this past summer, while working full time and raising two young kids!

No, I don't want a PhD. Contrary to popular belief.

Not too many people know this, but it's crossed my mind to go back to school and start on a second career. It's a quiet little goal I have, to become a secondary math/science teacher. I haven't been motivated to start on this goal, unfortunately. I've been lazy. Way lazier than all these other Moms who are juggling jobs, raising kids, keeping up a household, moving with the military, etc.

My first excuse: "When Timmy starts school, I'll go back to school."

Well, with Timmy starting school in 9 months, by now I should have applied, or looked more into online programs than I've done so far.

My second excuse: "Why start a program now? We could be moving as soon as 1 year after I start school if I were to start here."

No...of course my work can transfer, and if I choose an online program, heck -- who cares where I am, right? People do it all the time, transfer their coursework.

I've told myself, "Patricia, you've already achieved a lot in life, aren't you tired of school, additional stress, running around all hair-on-fire?"

So I'm thinking...



The answer is "Get my butt back in school and work on that new career!". I need to set up some graduated goals related to that, with some research to back it up. My druthers is to do this online, I'll need to learn more about it, I suppose. Dave can retire from Active Duty in 6 years, and I figured by the time he has 5 years left, if I wanted to go back to work full time after he retires I should be on my way. Especially if I want to take my time on this one. Some other options have opened up, such as teaching AFJROTC after I reach my 20 years in the Reserves. That might be nice...as some of my blogosphere friends have said "I'm one of those people who actually LIKES the Air Force." Again, I haven't looked enough into it to know whether it's right for me.

And oh yeah, I have to balance this with my boys' activities, my AF Reserve work, and some AF continuing education I predict I'll be needing to do by late next year.

So there are my thoughts - somewhat messy, but it's been on my mind. A lot.

Reality check: Might I be more motivated to do this if I truly "enjoy" those 7 hours per day I'll have when Timmy and Jacob are both in school? Pedicures? Facials? Shopping trips? Coffee dates with girlfriends? Chick-flick marathons in my PJs?

I don't know. I'm coming up on this crossroads and not even feeling motivated enough to say "Here's what I need to do next!" I guess it was a lot easier when high school guidance counselors and Air Force Instructions made those decisions for me.