Am I a teacher????

As I said before going back to school is an adventure, but one ever knows until you are in the midst of it. I have to admit I love going to school and I love to learn. I don't care who thinks it sounds strange it is the truth. What I continually find humorous as I walk the halls of school and sit among other students is how many of my fellow classmates do not think I am a classmate at all. On three separate occasions last week I was asked either if I was one of the lab instructors, if I were filling in for our instructor, or what assignment was missed. Now the last question could have been asked of another student, but then the person said," oh, I am sorry but we have missed this class so much lately for snow I thought you were the teacher." I thought I fit into the mix pretty well whenever I looked around the classroom, but maybe not as much as I hoped. Never the less since I am in the education program I at least know I have the teacher look, whatever that is? So as I continue make my way through this semester if any of you see a student with graying hair and bags under their eyes please know they may be in the same boat you are in.

How did I get here? I mean how did I get to this place and time in my life? That is a question I ask myself a lot these days. Let me tell you how t all began.I had been a part-time student at a local community college for the last ten years while I worked full-time in a large company doing what I loved most for the last ten years. A year ago I gave birth to my first child, a beautiful and active little girl. So I thought my life could not get any better. I mean after all I had a job I loved, a loving and supportive husband, and a beautiful child. Then last summer the news came that I will never forget. You are "RIF"ted. For those of you who do not know this abbreviation it means Reduction In Force which is a government term that means they are letting go of a few to save the whole. So there I was with an almost completed degree, thirty...., a new child and husband. At first I felt lost, then I felt angry, and then I felt confused. Finally after the fog cleared I decided the best thing to do is go to school and finish that degree I had worked on for so long.
So here I am thirty.... and trying to navigate college. Man I realized right away why people do this when they are young and have no commitments. The first semester was difficult, but I found my grove pretty quickly and made it work. I even made the Dean's List. Now this semester is not as difficult class wise, but my daughter is now walking. Let me just say it is a shear tightrope act keeping a old year old out of books and papers as you try and study. I have found new ways to contort and twist all while watching her and studying at the same time. Oh and did I mention she has a fetish for the computer mouse. That poor thing has been ripped off the computer desk more times than I can count. So I have found a new hiding place for that when it is not in use.
I do not know how many other mothers out there are going through this same thing, but I would love to hear form you.