“You’ve been doing homework almost every night, as long as I’ve known you!”

That’s what mom said to me about a week ago!  Counting kindergarten, I’ve been in school for 19 years!  And I’m tired of it!  Not necessarily the learning, but the homework, the 10 – 20 page papers on anything & everything not related to my major, the presentations with group members you’re still trying to figure out how they got into higher education, the 400 question tests … that had no correct answers for many questions, and the assignments that took 8+ hours to complete.  Now that’s what I won’t miss!

Today is the last night of Graduate School.  Last evening was my last final and tonight I’ll be making 2 presentations on IT Project Management mock projects w/ 4 other (good) group members to wrap up my Bobby Mo educational experience.  So, after all is said and done, I’ll have 6 years in here at Bobby Mo (RMU) with an Undergraduate BS in Information Systems Management, w/ a concentration in Network Administration & a Minor in International Studies, as well as my 2 new Graduate degrees: an MS in Information Security and Assurance & an MS in Internet Information Systems.

So, the biggest question I have is What To Do Now?  I’ve never known a vast majority of free time.  In the Summers, I tried to just relax a bit and prepare for the upcoming terms.  Now, it’s nothing for a long long time (I’ve considered going back for an MBA one day … in a long long time though!).

My college years and graduate years really molded me a bit though.  Many of the hobbies or interests have stemmed from something during those/these times.   Because of this, I’d like to pursue some of these interests.  By this I mean that I would like to learn more about the topics.  You see, I like to learn, I wrote that a few paragraphs above.  I like to learn a lot … I like to be well rounded, to know a good bit about an array of topics.  Yes, computers & information systems is my career and so far, my future career path, but I need to get away from it at times as well.

So here’s what I’ve been thinking …

I want to read.  Read?  I’ve never been a “reader” (even some of the “mandatory” stuff from class syllabi!).  There’s a few books that I already know that I would like to get into soon:

• Tony Dungy’s books, mainly Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life and Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance.
  • It incorporates Christian faith, life’s struggles, and sports, a few things I’m really eager to read on.
• A.U.R Professor Terry Kirk’s Italian Architecture books:
  • Professor Kirk was my Art of Rome Professor in Rome, at A.U.R. and really taught me a good bit about the culture, history, and art of Rome.  Therefore, I’d like to learn a bit more, as Rome & Italy are a deep passion of mine!
    • The Architecture of Modern Italy: Volume I
    • The Architecture of Modern Italy: Volume II

Now, I’m only going to leave it at those 4 books.  I don’t want to get ahead of myself.  I may finish them in 4 months or 4 years!  In addition to those books, I want to really start getting back into the Bible.  I haven’t been keeping up with my readings, and that’s not good.  One thing I’ve thought about doing is trying to read Early Christian Era history book of some sort, so as I’m doing my Bible readings, I can be learning about the times and cultures, to better understand the impact Judaism and Christianity had on the times, and to understand the Bible more clearly.

I’ve also thought about trying to reeducate myself with my Italian.  It’s been 2-3 years since I did my semester abroad in Rome, and needless to say, my Italian is a bit lacking right now.  I’d love to become semi-fluent.  To do so, I think I could pick it up again if I progress slowly with the quality foundation that I already have.

Well, on top of learning a few new things outside of the computer/information systems realm, I do want to continue to develop my currents skills and pick up a few new ones!  I’d like to continue enhancing Coram Deo, a PHP built WordPress blog.  Therefore, I’d like to start learning the in’s and out’s of PHP.  In addition to the regular site, I’ve been working on ZenPhoto.  I don’t have it linked yet, I still need to delete some photos and would like to add some comments, but I believe Zen will be a good upgrade to JAlbum in terms of looks, and support, as Zen uses a Database, and all the good features w/ Jalbum require add-ons, whereas they are already incorporated to Zen.  Anyways, on the IT Front, I’d also like to study up for my Security+ Certification, just to keep my security skills and thinking up to date and in my mind (whereas most of my time is spent in the programming world).

So, those are the new things I’d like to get involved with.  As for the current stuff, playing on 2 softball teams this summer.  Team 1 is w/ the church, the West Hills Warriors, and team 2 is with a few buddies, playing out of the YMCA in Robinson, and we’re called the Upper Deckers!  So, WHCC Warrior games on Friday’s – Sunday’s, Upper Deckers on Sunday, and oh yes, Adult A League Hockey on Monday nights down at the Ice Castle in Castle Shannon.  So nice fun filled weekends playing softball & hockey, and throw in a good bit of mountain biking during the week & hopefully some strength workouts, I should be having a good athletic summer!

Well, lunch is over, back to the grind, then off to that last presentation before I become a Master!

Ciào for now!