The end of a much needed break

It is officially Monday and that means there is at least 3 weeks left of school...well, at least for me. This past week has been nothing but sleep, sleep, and more sleep. I didn't even bother packing homework in my suitcase for my trip back home for Thanksgiving break. Who was I kidding? It was definitely not going to get done. It would have just taken up space. Traveling was already stressful as it was.

And speaking of traveling, can someone tell me why I ALWAYS forget something either at home and at school?. I forgot my planner at home. Do you know how horrible that is?! I sound a bit lame, but I'm sure college students can relate with me

I have no idea if I have meetings to go to today, tomorrow, or next week. Hopefully, I don't have anything important to do until I can get my mom to mail it to me. Yes, I'm serious. I want my planner, damn it!

But enough with the rambling. Thanksgiving is over (unfortunately) and I, along with the rest of my peers, are back at school to catch up on the never ending mountain of work  and trying to figure out what our days consist of for the last 3 weeks of school.

By the way, what kind of professor gives you a quiz the Monday you return from break?...Now that's just rude.

Living paycheck to paycheck

Last night, I had the most heart wrenching email I thought I could have at the moment. I got an email saying that I had an outstanding account and if I didn't pay it by November 15, then the school had the right to revoke my study abroad privileges. I knew I had to pay in order to take my finals, but I didn't know I had to pay so soon.

For those few minutes, as I read the email, I couldn't believe that all my hard work was going to be for nothing. I worked for months trying to earn money to pay for airplane tickets, passport fees, visa fees, deposit fees. There were so many times I thought I was not going to study abroad because I didn't have the financial means to afford it. I kept thinking that it wasn't meant for somebody like me. I was already struggling to earn enough to pay for my school bill, what was I doing trying to study abroad? That's only for those who can afford it, right?

At that moment, I realized that although that may be the case, I now know how to live paycheck to paycheck. Literally, everything I earned was sent to pay fees, fees, and more fees. I kept ending up with just $10 every week in my account. Barely enough to do my laundry. If only my school gave more opportunities to work, more hours, more...everything. But the main lesson I learned, am still learning I guess, is that I am definitely ready for the real world. I know how to sacrifice what I want now to what will benefit me in the future. I now know how to be completely independent. To be an adult. And although it may be though, it has definitely made me stronger.

I never realized it either, but there are thousands of students that I never thought of in the same situation. Each one of us have our own stories, but we're all struggling to gain the education that we want and need and we're all struggling to enjoy our youth while being responsible at the same time. It's hard work, a lot of hard work, but we can all persevere.

Fortunately, the school gave me an extension. I should definitely have the money by the deadline they gave me, but it was even a struggle gaining the courage to swallow up my pride and asking for help.

No matter how bad it may seem, it's always good to keep on laughing.