Officially Back to School!!

After a weekend drenched in rain and cold in SF, today was the first real glimpse of sunshine! And, this morning was a huge ray of light!! After 7 long weeks of suspense I have received fantastic news that I have been admitted into San Francisco State University's Masters of Education Program!!!! So, it is official that I am headed back to school in 2009!!! My mom was more excited than me, and gave me a high-five! I'm so thrilled!

For the last 7 weeks, my thoughts took me into a jungle of darkness! Yep, it did. In November, I heard news of the State Universities budget cuts that would affect the intake of student population for the upcoming Spring 2009. I thought I would be completely out of it. I also felt I should have went straight into the MA studies as most people do and how could I have procrastinated this far? My thoughts were everywhere! And, since I have been 'absent' from real formal schooling in the last 6 years, I felt quite rusty with my writing skills. Writing the 2-page Statement of Purpose, took me over a week to draft and polish and I still wasn't satisfy with the final product. Somehow, when I was younger, formal writing came a little bit easier. Aging was really bothering me. And, most of all, I became emotional at one point during the application process, when I received the two recommendation letters written by Ms. Diana Caliz, my former master teacher and Ms. Barbara Perea, my former professor and supervisor of my student teaching days. I didn't even know how far I really came in fulfilling myself professionally until I have read their words. I felt it would be totally disappointing if I didn't make it into the program, for which I have tremendous respect and interest in, and for the two writers/teachers I have come to build a deep respect and friendship with.

It has been an exciting and rewarding journey so far. Thanks to Diana and Barbara for being 'the wind beneath my wings' in the professional arena. They journeyed to Hong Kong when I was fulfilling my NET (Native-Speaking Teacher)contract there. And, their valuable sharing and insights have made me a better teacher and person. A heartfelt THANK YOU! And, I owe a lot to yoga, which had taught me patience at its highest level. It is a metaphor for life!

Now, it's officially back to school for me on January 26, 2009! I'm looking forward to more learning, more connections, more creative ideas and more personal and professional growth within my one year of full-time schooling. SFSU is a progressive, and innovative educational institution that have evolved and grown over the years in order to meet the challenges of a global world. I'm ready for the ride! As I always say to friends and family "keep on going" and I will too! Cheers to 2009!