Breakthrough

Definition:An act of overcoming or penetrating an obstacle or resistance

Being accepted into Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international economics honor society, was a major breakthrough moment for me because this was the first time that I received this level of academic recognition. Upon graduation, I would be happy to don the honors regalia in the procession line! This announcement also confirmed my overachieving streak. I constantly wrestled with this label, because even though I worked extremely hard, and as a Type A personality demanded a lot out of myself and others, I neither crushed nor destroyed anyone in my path on my way towards accomplishing anything.

Ring The Alarm

Omg! The House just passed a measure where I would have to show identification in order to vote because of illegal immigration. Now Saturday I will have to go and get my new state id, but the war on voting rights is not over! I will email all of my US Senators about this. My goal is to ensure that civil rights will become a victim of the war on terror. Now it is high time to become vocal! I emailed four senators and the president because this matter to urgent to ignore!

Yesterday after work I went to the AU math lab to review my precalculus chapter 1 answers and second homework. The tutors were extremely helpful to me throughout the process. Since I must go to the metro station Sunday to renew my SmartBenefits, I might consider traveling to American to review my homework. In addition, a Wall Street Journal reporter emailed me to cite my email regarding her article. I was astounded when she proclaimed that I had “some good points.” I hoped to receive a copy! This positive response to writing an email gave me confidence to write my first Toastmaster speech. The introductory speech is about telling the group about myself. See it is all coming together!

While returning from my morning break, my boss informed me that there was a fire alarm so I would not be able to get in. Immediately I walked to the intersection on 15th and K Streets to read the Washington Post and enjoy the sunshine. I took in the fresh air freeing me from the daily pressures and read the paper all the while thinking that regardless of what happens, I'm getting anyway.

Bag Lady No More

Dear Carla:
You should stop being such a bag lady. Since you no longer have class on Monday, this frees up your Mondays and Fridays so why haul all of that stuff along with you?
Good point: Starting today I will no longer carry any unnecessary baggage from work to personal life. I really do not need those disks and besides, all I need is my lunch and a good book which I can wrap in another plastic bag.

Also within one month I will be enrolled in the debt repayment plan to boost my credit score to relocate back into Washington, DC. Dropping bad debt is a big thing for me because my credit score will skyrocket! Within ten months this will all be a memory!

Financial Empowerment Update

During these past two days, there have been a lot of financial activity that display the power of emergency savings and sound financial planning. Yesterday, I used the $250 savings to purchase my Thanksgiving plane ticket and to hail a cab after the AU-Tenleytown metro caught afire and became inaccessible. Even though the cabbie was a little loopy the ride home allowed me to think about the importance of my family.

Today I cashed the $40 money order refund for groceries and changed my bank information with FACTS to ensure a smooth withdrawal for the final community college tuition payment. Later in the day, I tried a third time to reach a creditor to obtain my most recent statement. After a roll, my statement collection activities seemed to crawl at a snail’s pace. Well, at least I know that come October everything will be set.

Good Timing

Yesterday I served as the timer for my first Toastmasters meeting and excelled at the position. I think that I will like participating in this organization because I get to hear many different viewpoints and improve my verbal communication skills. Since songwriting and book publishing are my favorite avocations, Toastmasters will help me master my craft.

Going Sideways to Get Ahead

I have been giving advice to Mr. Slowik who chronicles his job search at www.careerjournal.com. Today he discussed his job search and his interest in working with trusts and estates because of the human contact. Immediately I located the New York bar Association’s Trust and Estates Section, and emailed CareerJournal the link (the editor informed me that my response would be forwarded to Mr. Slowik). It amazes me how very little I know about law but how important it is help someone in need obtain objective advice!

This past Sunday I received the same advice from the math tutor in regards to micro. I dropped the course to focus on improving my math skills. I still will take the CLEP and have emailed my College Board guidance counselor regarding my intent to review CLEP material. Passing the CLEP calculus test is more of a personal victory than catching up (though that would be nice, too! However, improving my quantitative abilities has always been a priority!), because I am at a point in my life where completing my MA in Economics at age 30, in two years instead of one is not the end of the world. Matter of factly, it will represent the beginning of a new decade of promise.

This confession is astronomical coming from a Type-A person who has always completed degrees on time; however, working in my field as an economist affords me the privilege to sit back acquire experience then apply it to my education. Besides an MA is not a prerequisite for my career goal of obtaining a Ph.D. I already have a BA in International Economics plus I can earn my Doctor of Business Administration. Fretting too much about ticky-tack things such as this never is my strong suit to I'll just continue going sideways to get ahead.

The High Price of Education

Horoscope: Engage that cranium, but remember to check in with your heart on a regular basis. Otherwise, it can be all too easy to lose your sense of direction and forget what's really important. You need rationality and intuition.

After responding to Jay’s remark about Daniel Golden’s book entitled, The Price of Admissions, was anecdotal, I dissected my life and education. Though Jay graduate from Harvard, no slouch myself, I graduated Hiram College, James A. Garfield’s, the 20th US President alma mater; traveled to London and received my MBA on my 25th birthday and now at age 29 attending American University as a MA in Economics candidate. Not too many people under age 30 can admit to doing that. On top on these accomplishments, I work, in the same field as my degree, as an economist. I am privileged to be bestowed all of these opportunities because many people are not so blessed. This is exactly why Jay’s “anecdotal” comment bothers me so much.

It is imperative in the midst of the debate regarding college accessibility, that we care about how top-tier institutions allocate their resources. Today Harvard announced that it will eliminate its early admissions which benefits the upper class, but we need more discourse about a university , the oldest American college, in existence since 1636 and a nearly 100 million endowment needing “kickbacks”!

The Economics of Time and Money

Yesterday I discovered that excelling on the calculus CLEP test would allow me to take the mathematical economics course; thus, accelerating my graduation date from summer to spring! Testing out of calculus will allow me to take mathematical economics in spring. This is the sole core requirement under the general track; and, transferring six graduate credits from my MBA degree gives me an additional advantage. The fact that I can graduate a semester ahead of schedule reinforces the importance of doing well on all of my coursework. My goal is to earn an A in all three classes and to use micro as a stepping stone towards studying for the CLEP calculus test. Also, I will prepare for mathematical economics by purchasing the Schaum’s easy outline and workbook.

This discovery also produces enormous time and cost savings for me because I can earn my MA in Economics degree for the least amount of money! This is a core component of my financial empowerment plan: to save time and money and maximize my return.

More

I am ambitious I must admit
Working as an Economist at a prestigious agency
Plus I am enrolled in American because
I want more

More
Than what’s out there
What is average
I do not wish to stagnate
I learn everyday in every way

With every breath I carry my history
First generation college graduate twice over
Possessing a BA and an MBA by my 25th birthday
En route to obtain my second masters by my 30th

Yet I want more
I need a more meaningful purpose than just this rat race
That’s why I’ve created my own plan
Leaving my signature, my indelible mark

Because I need more

Light

Illuminating its brilliance everywhere
Without even a single solitary care
Dominating darkness it won’t share
As its rays reach out with their all-present glare
Transporting me over there
Alleviating my burdens to bear
There’s no fighting don’t even dare
Because light is illuminating its brilliance everywhere

Rising to the Challenge

Great news!: After going to the math lab I have a renewed sense of optimism that I will survive micro after all! This is huge because acing micro allows me to learn calculus on the fly while preparing for the CLEP exam. The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) test is an educational component of my financial empowerment plan. AU and NOVA accept the calculus test and by scoring 75 I will test out of my math requirement. Currently I am paying $1235 at NOVA because I am a out-of-state resident at Northern Virginia community college. Combining the $60 test fee and $75 administrative fee, my cumulative cost is $135, a lot cheaper than $1235 at NOVA or $3144 at AU. After pass the test, I might take statistics or calculus II to boost my mathematical aptitude; however, excelling the calculus test clears one more graduation hurdle and allows for free sailing into summer semester’s mathematical economics (maybe I could even take it during the spring semester if I ace the CLEP calculus test this December, thereby, accelerating my graduation date from summer to spring!

Having a tutor review my micro homework lifted a huge burden off of my shoulders! During last night’s session, I actually envisioned myself at age 30 with my MA in Economics degree from American University. The fact that many of my answers were right boosted my confidence immeasurably. Now I can relax and focus on learning the material, and preparing for the CLEP calculus exam. My goal is to take what I have learned from micro and apply it to the CLEP. I believe that learning calculus with taking precalculus accelerates my learning curve. If I can survive this, then I can thrive throughout the program.

Another bonus: DSST, another college equivalency test, offers statistics and the opportunity to test out of the course. That’s another cost savings of $1235. Of course, I emailed an administrator because my community college branch was not listed (Due diligence always!). However, there is a strong possibility that I could start next semester in calculus II! I am so happy about these developments!

More financial empowerment: Last week I opened a Upromise account to save for both my community college math classes and my Ph.D. studies which are two years away. Tough $50 is the minimum contribution, I will increase mine to $100 and use my raises to increase my allotments. Within two years, the minimum amount will be $2400 which is enough for books and research costs.

See there’s someone out there who understands me!

I’m not the only one who fully values the importance of education and my decision to transfer to American to complete my M.A. in Education! Earl G. Graves, Sr. Black Enterprise’s publisher, loudly affirmed in his September 2006 publisher’s page that “Giving Up on College Is Not an Option” Though I love my family, continuing my M.A. in Economics studies at American was indispensable towards achieving my long-term goal of earning a Ph.D. I, too, was hit with sticker shock after seeing American’s tuition cost at $1048 is the most in Washington, DC, but my employer paid for one class and loans covered the remainder. In addition, I have applied for scholarships on a weekly basis, will subscribe to the Foundation Center’s Grants for Individuals Online this Friday to obtain more funding sources, and will actively use my Arlington library card this Saturday to retrieve more scholarships.

The publisher reminisced on his college days at Morgan State where he attended school full-time and work numerous jobs to finance his education. At least I am lucky that my employer paid for one course and six of my MBA credits can be transferred, allowing me to receive my M.A. in Economics degree through part-time study. I am truly blessed to be in a position where I can pay out-of-pocket for my community college math lessons and still maintain a decent standard of living.

Quit is not in my vocabulary and honestly I cannot see myself with only one semester of education. Following through has always been my priority and I know that my sacrifice will help my children and grandchildren. My economist job and salary are the direct results of higher educational attainment. Without my BA, I would not have been an economist and without my MBA, I would not have commanded ZP-II; and, without a $45,000 salary, I could have forgotten about living in a decent apartment and saving for college. I would be robbing Peter to pay Paul. Mr. Graves is right by quoting the old adage of “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”

The Early Bird Chronicles: Entry 1

Starting this morning, I will chronicling awaking at 5:30am to work from 7:00am-4:30pm to attend my 5:30pm microeconomics class! This should be eventful!

I did it! I awoke at 5:30am and successfully commuted to my office. This is a very big accomplishment because right now I would just be awaking for my normal 8:30am commute. The good news is that I will not have to do this for two weeks because of Labor Day!

I am blogging last week’s happenings and this week’s first days of school at American University. Chronicling how early I must awake to follow through and obtain an education, allows me to track my progress. Blogging is extremely therapeutic because I cleanse my soul of everything that is bothering me.

Friday’s American University graduate orientations were okay. During the graduate economics orientation, I learned that I was the only working economist in both the M.A. and Ph.D. programs! This was a built-in advantage and confidence booster because no one could proclaim me incompetent. In addition, being an economist relieved all of the pressure to perform because grades do not determine whether or not I become an economist. However, as a driven, results oriented woman, I have set higher goals such as graduating with a 4.0 grade point average, receiving Omicron induction, improve my statistical software knowledge and publishing an article (the AEA will publish four new journals next January 2007 and I wish to submit my research). My status also brought me credibility whenever I wanted to have a professor chair my master thesis and independent economics research project. The academic adviser told me to build relationships this semester in order to accomplish all of my research endeavors. My goal is to do just that!

Last weekend while watching the news and stumbling over a NYTimes.com article about the city becoming an educated elite mecca, peaked my interest of securing a CPA license as a bullet-proof backup plan to move to New York and receive my Ph.D. in economics after working here for two years and earning my M.A. First I already have a BA and an MBA prior to relocating and a colleague told me in the galley about how he passed the CPA exam and took an accountant position with another division. Having received my MBA, I knew that I too could make this transition. In addition, NYC is the world’s financial capital and arriving there with two years’ work experience, a CPA license and two master degrees will only boost my profile.

Most of the middle-level, experienced accountants make over $100,000 which will be a big salary increase versus the District. Even though NYC has a higher cost of living, but even my after-tax income will still have more purchasing power than what I do now!

I feel that after landing this highly competitive economist job here (I had to obtain a BA in Economics and maintain a B average, complete the questionnaire, score high on the agency exam [which I took twice], and pay my own way to interview and ace the interview) that I can accomplish anything including acceptance into an Ivy League Ph.D. economics program.

Taking it All in Stride

• I am having a very good day especially after discovering that AU has a new business economics track which is right up my alley! This new track allows me to transfer all of my MBA credits while only taking four economics courses. Currently, I am enrolled in two of the four and next semester I will take master thesis and mathematical economics. This strategy allows me to graduate by spring instead of summer! Hot dog! Of course, I have devised a defense to ensure that the graduate economics department accepts my petition and have contacted another graduate school to take econometrics courses to save money and gain insight on how the government uses these figures. Building on the momentum of the department accepting my managerial accounting class, here are some other important points about transferring all of my MBA credits:
  
  
• Both universities are AACSB accredited institutions
• The economic coursework is rigorous and truly displays my objective of enhancing my mathematical aptitude.
• Macro, micro, master thesis, and mathematical economics
• Econometrics will be taken during either the spring or the summer

The Power of the Charlie Face

Last night’s precalculus class was a world of fun and I believe that after the “smiling Charlie Brown face” that I will excel at math! During the factoring review, the professor drew a four curves, two upper, two lower, which coincidentally symbolized the Charlie Brown face (though she did not know if the two lower curves were either his nose or his chin!) That was the first time that I heard this version of the FOIL method!

Review and Appreciation for Black Women's Lives

Reading Black Women’s Lives inspired me to write a chapter about my life which I entitled, the Academician, describing my affinity for educational achievement.

Completing my M.A. in Economics has been on the forefront ever since arriving in Washington, DC to work as an Economist. Though this objective will initially cost money rather than make money, obtaining my degree was still mandatory, an indispensable element that signaled accomplishment. I already have an MBA but I have never ever not follow through and complete something. Especially regarding education, because without it I would not be a ZP-0110-02 Economist earning a decent living. Instead I would earn a meager wage as a ZP-01 Economist.
Arriving at this point in my journey towards attaining a Ph.D. in economics and business administration, owning my own home and becoming the first black woman Fortune 500 CEO of a wholly-owned corporation. Having successfully transferred from CSU to AU while maintaining the same graduation date, is the first step in the right direction. However, this time there is more on the agenda than just studying. I want to upgrade my skills through the Social Science Lab which offers tutorials and workshops in SAS, SPSS, STATA, SPLUS, EVIEWS, GAUSS, and LIMDEP. Having acquired working knowledge of these software programs will surely boost my professional profile!

This time it is different because I am determined to excel. All I have to depend upon is myself. There is not anyone else who is here in my immediate family to bail me out of anything (not that I am criminal minded anyway!) I truly believe that within one year, I will have earned my degree, received a grade promotion, relocate to Washington, DC and payoff the majority of my bills. Envisioning this life with a decent paycheck was unfathomable even four months ago, but now that I have been here for over three months, the reality has not overwhelmed me at all! Now more than ever, I am focused on securing my pay-for-performance raise, attaining my MA in Economics degree, digging myself out of debt and saving for retirement.

Mid-August Financial Empowerment

Everything has fallen into place today. The community college processed my tuition payment allowing me to enroll this fall. The Human Resources officer approved my training justification and it should reach American by either today or tomorrow! Yes, I am so happy because now all I have to finance is the other half. That makes both me and my wallet feel better. Earlier, I submitted an email proclaiming why I should win the Special Opportunity Award (I am already Economist so your risk would be zero!) to the academic advisor. Hopefully, all of this would be processed before Friday. Also, I opened a new student checking account today thus setting the wheels in motion to switch from my current bank to my new bank. The proximity will provide more opportunity to discuss my situation with the financial specialist, thereby, receiving insider information.

My 29th Birthday and personal evolution

Wednesday was my twenty-nineth birthday. During that day I reflected upon the massive changes that taken place in my life this year. I went from unemployed residing with my mother to working as an Economist in the capital city, attending an MA in Economics program, and traveling down the road of financial prosperity. Everything that I have been taught has helped me immeasurably and I learned more about myself and my resiliency and the importance of having faith regardless of the situation.

I watched Little Miss Sunshine, a hilarious movie about Olive, an eight-year old overweight beauty queen participant, who aspires to win the Little Miss Sunshine pageant and all of her dysfunctional family members. I laughed so hard that I had to take over my glasses twice and by the end of the movie, snot came of out my nose (I had a tissue!). This was the first time in years that I thoroughly enjoyed a movie. The young actress who portrayed Olive, should win an Oscar! Afterward, I ate the Louisiana Devil Meal at Georgia Brown soul-food restaurant off of McPherson Square. The shrimp and Maryland crab cakes were magnificent as was the berry dessert. The best moment of the day occurred when I secured an apartment while at the restaurant (I took the phone call to the lobby). Sealing that deal, placed me on a positive path for the entire year.

This was the first time that I actually looked forward toward being thirty, towards being older because I wanted to experience and witness more. Now I have the opportunity to do so and will not miss out on anything!

Experience

T.D. Jakes book, Mama Made the Difference, is a wonderful read and I have only completed the second chapter. I guess the combination of receiving my birthday from mom acknowledging that I have followed my own path by relocating from Cleveland to Washington, DC to become an economist with reading T.D. Jakes book, has inspired me to become greater.
I can recall even ninety days ago when I landed in Washington, DC, when the county informed me that my last check would be mailed to me and my account bounced that I could had never made it out of this; but, I managed to replenish my bank account, to pay off bad debt, transfer to another graduate economics program and maintain the same graduation date, and have my employer pay for one course, thereby, reducing my indebtedness. Within twenty-four hours, I will arrive in Arlington, VA, for the next leg of my journey and within another ninety days is my pay-for-performance review. If I could make it through these ordeals unscathed then I should be okay for the next ninety days, one-hundred eighty days and even one year.

Don't Quit

This is some added inspiration.

When things go wrong as they sometimes will.
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill.
When funds are low and the debts are high.
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit.
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns.
As everyone of us sometimes learns.
And many a failure turns about.
When he might have won had he stuck it out:
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow –
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out –
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are.
It may be near when it seems so far:
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.- Author unknown