The new year is here and my resolutions are off to a terrible start. Refocus on the timely blog entries needs to be done and I promise it will be. Today we will write about how last semester ended, how this semester is going so far, and plans for the first half of the year. This seems like a lot but I need the practice if this project is going to make me a better writer.

The Fall semester had a acceptable result with two A’s earned for both classes attempted, which were PC Repair and C# Programming. As explained in the last blog entry the PC Repair class was disappointing in that not much was retained from the material since the format was not user friendly and mind-numbingly dense in the labs required. So much detailed clicking and retaking of the modules left me frustrated to the point that pushing through to get done was the only objective left. While this was unfortunate, I have a plan to study this subject with a helpful YouTube channel and take the A+ Certification this year. C# was the class that keep me engaged this term and had me really enjoying learning something totally different. I took each project on one at a time and let my self make mistakes, and more importantly, learn from them. Getting the basic concepts of programming down has given me some clarity on what I may want to focus on after school.

Spring is here and I am ready for two somewhat new classes but really they are the second part of the previous two. The same story as before, the Networking class is in the same format as the PC Repair but condensed into eight weeks instead of the standard 16. So, this has me in get it done mode even more. I have Advanced C# Programming as well and this has been great in deepening my knowledge of the language. We start building and programming databases this week, so I am extra excited for that. No really, this is very cool stuff. I expect to make high marks in both classes and swiftly move on to Summer where I take my class load into overdrive.

From now till the end of June I have more than enough to keep my busy. Four trips for work, one overseas vacation to the UK, and two eight week classes in the Summer semester. For work I am traveling to Ohio, New Mexico, DC, and Philadelphia so far. I am looking forward to the travel because it does give me uninterrupted time to work on school in the hotel and I get to see some places I have not been to before. It will take time away from my back yard oasis and the family but it must be done to get these electronic components sold. While my student and work life does seem very boring and at times it is, we have a bold vacation planned for June. UK and Scotland are well beyond the discussion stage and tickets have been purchased. We have committed to this and just like the getting my former house repaired and sold, it must be completed at nearly all costs.

My international travel has been limited but not non-existent. A lifetime ago I explored Central America thrice times and enjoyed seeing a different world that gave me another perspective on my experience as a human born and raised in the US. This will be different for several reasons. Being older now I want to learn more about the history of the places we are going, be able to read and speak the language will be a major plus. The planning going into this endeavor is just as much fun as the journey I imagine. More info to come and there will be a few Scotland related posts with details and tips we learned along the way.