The meeting and college.

It has been some time since I visited with my Vocational Rehabilitation services officer in person. I did not realize how long it had been, exactly, nor had the time issue crossed my mind. When I entered the office a little early, he noticed something I had forgotten. Until about a year and a half ago, my hair fell to my waist if I did not have it in a pony tail. I now have it cut to within some military standards, clipped up over the ears, and trimmed well and often. As well, my demeanor and sense of things must have offered him some thought. I believe he was surprised and pleased. Both he and his secretary mentioned several things several times. It was also on their faces.

In the interview I had most of my facts down. I had the paperwork in order and I could explain most of it (some of it was incorrect but not by my hand nor to my understanding). There were a few factual errors, a few new details about me and my care which I shared, and he had several questions. Everything went fairly well. I have always felt that these interviews are more of a personal assessment process than anything else, though I may be incorrect. I know the paperwork has to be completed, I know personal contact needs to occur, but I think his personal view holds more sway than what any paperwork I bring, any legwork I have done, or anything my doctor has suggested combined contribute toward the continuation of my program. I cannot say this is true with all cases, and as I have said I cannot be sure about this. Being 100% permanent and totally disabled, that my rehabilitation has been slow and troubled, and a few other factors, make my case a little different. Like I said, however, this day was very successful.

I will go online this evening and see what I can do regarding my enrollment plan. I will try to get what courses I may from the 2-year college, the rest will need to be taken at the University of Iowa. Since I am already connected with the 2-year school and it’s program transfers, I will try to save money by going there (it does not have to be my money for me to try to be frugal). However, I will not drive 60 miles per class again, especially with gas prices and considering here locally, I can take the bus for even more cost efficiency (I want more gear, a S&W .500 magnum, and a ammunition reloading station, I have to be frugal). So, that may make Kirkwood not a viable solution for me, as their engineering courses may all require travel to their out-of-my-town campus rather than their local branch. I am willing to save money, but, my savings comes first.

I most likely will need to re-establish U of I College of Engineering contacts, perhaps needing to gain special permission merely to take engineering courses. I am hoping a simple email to the 2-year college will gain me access to my registration number, should they have courses available to me. My one requirement for courses is that they follow (fairly strictly) the guidance handed to me from the U o I Engineering intake guidance councilor. I am playing this strictly by the plan mutually formulated between my doctor, my voc. rehab. officer, and the guidance councilor initially. Only two things will happen from here on out. The first is that I will fail. At which point, I will complete my time here in the rental contract, then retire to a less expensive place to live in order to gear up further, and finally I will try to find a place in the mountains of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, or such from where I might enjoy the rest of my life. Or, I will follow the program laid out successfully. Wherein if I deviate, it will be either to increase my course load to full time (or more), or (and) possibly go on to graduate school or law school.

To be honest, none of the plans are absolutely horrible. And, in any case, for periods of time if not ultimately totally, I will end up in those mountains. And I should add, the woods, rivers, streams, back country, ski slopes; and in winter, spring, summer, or fall; or simply whenever and wherever the outdoors calls me or finds me. If I attempt to go further and gain a masters (no Ph. d. in the cards, I believe, as it would ruin my chosen career options) or if I apply for law schools, I am sure I will have some time to kill while waiting. I might even find a college or grad school I could abide in the mountains, even the eastern ones. Though Ithica, NY was not ‘xactly’ mountains, it was not bad and Cornell impressed me, much more so than MIT. Still, grad school would be all about my interests and aptitudes, with social and religious considerations given no small impact.

I will say this, today was deliciously exciting. Not only did I realize, after a rethink of a previous conversation, that I was missing out on an opportunity and wasting time in my college preparations by not meeting with my rehab. officer, I initiated the development of that appointment, then made it to the appointment in a ready and able state, and then I carried the day. Beyond that, with the time given and in spite of what else I have to do in the lead up to my vacation, I may end up having my return to college completely set before I go on vacation. That will leave my run up to classes open for me to camp, exercise, hike, fish, volunteer, and relax so that I am good to go when it is time. I may need the course load so I can take a break! *laughs*