You're doing what?

Two years ago, going back to school to finally get a bachelor's degree sounded absolutely brilliant: I'd celebrate turning 60 by enrolling at a small university, studying really hard and ending up with a couple of degrees and a fabulous job. In the meantime, I'd work in marketing and save my money.

Goals are really marvelous when they're a few years off. They glimmer and glow, and make intervening deadlines and household chores tolerable. I was even able to budget for the first time in my life.

All of a sudden, it was time to leave my marketing job and move to Olympia, Washington, so I'd be in commuting distance of St. Martin's University in Lacey. Colleagues kept saying things like, "Wow, you're brave." Bravery has nothing to do with it. I wake up many mornings in my new apartment boiling with anxiety. The cultural challenge of attending school and trying to keep up academically and socially has me longing to curl up in front of the TV with gallons of ice cream, while the class schedule posted by my front door makes me a little dizzy. Intermediate Algebra again, and Ethics: packing up and moving to China 25 years ago was less scary.

So, why am I still doing it, and why am I inviting you along? I suspect the short answer is insanity. Well, actually, the short answer is 42.

The long answer is that if I can complete the bachelor's degree and the master's degree successfully, other people may decide they can go ahead and try the near-impossible, too. As I discover some of the potholes and highpoints of this journey, you may have comments and guidance to offer. I'd like to hear about your dreams and what you're doing to make them real, too.

Besides, in two years, I will be 62 years old, with or without the degrees. With will be better.