I
think I know what Billy Madison felt like when his dad cut him off and made him
go back to school. I wasn’t cut off by anyone and I definitely do not have a
hotel empire to gain like he did. When I left high school I thought life
would be easy, I was way wrong! I still have a lot of learning and plenty left
to get done before I can rest comfortably.
I
joined the military after partying and being lazy for a year or so after I
graduated. I did twelve years in the Navy, traveled around the world,
visited over thirty countries and got paid to do so. My food was cooked and
served to me daily, I had a place to sleep and a guaranteed pay check coming in
every two weeks. It wasn’t the greatest at times but I had no worries when it
came to the outside world. As easy as it was financially, nothing lasts forever
so I figured now would be the best time to get out and start something new.
I
could have continued to drag it out, knowing I would eventually need a college
degree and a real job one day, but why not jump on it now. So here I am, thirty
two years old, walking around a college campus seeing all these young kids that
just got out of high school, and immediately started their college degree.
I'm the old guy sitting in class like Billy Madison. I’m not the oldest
but I’m damn sure not the youngest around here.
I’ve
been out of the school scene for so long that I don’t know what’s right from
wrong. I remember when I was younger I felt like I had to maintain an
image, be a cool kid, and hang out at the cool lunch table or I’d never get
invited to the party on Friday. I had to wear the right name brands from the
clothing all the way to the book bag. I had to wear the bag with one
strap on my right side only or I was a nerd. Now what style is cool, and how do
I wear it? At this age I could care less about the look, style or even what
someone may think as long as I’m getting shit done.
I’m
just trying to knock this degree out as quickly as possible. I want to use the
degree, and my military experience to get a good job and start a new life with
my family. Maybe one day I’ll have an empire to leave for my kids Like Billy’s
dad had for him. All I can do for now is stay focused on the mission and hope
Mrs. Veronica Vaugn is out here giving tutor lessons for an old man like
myself!
