Thanks for asking LL. (And thanks!) I've been racking my brain, lately, trying to decide what to do. I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons.... I am already a Medical Assistant and could make better money in a medical office or hospital - my last job that way I worked in an ER admitting triage/and in back with the Doctors and nurses ordering labs and taking care of the records - very interesting - they had us up front for some time with no nurse so we had to have good medical instincts! More responsibility than I was sometimes comfortable with. Actually I got paid just slightly under what I make now 20 years ago doing that. BUT not sure I completely believe in allopathic medicine although it has its place. Right now its good to be there at school with my SR. She's still a little girl. I was right there across the hall from her recently when she was sick. The normal little turds at our school are spoiled and the first couple of years there at least (9th and 10th) think they are special and can do what they want. We are the more prestigious uppity high school for our county at least. I like them more as they get older especially if I've known them through.... It is rewarding having helped and been there with the ones who needed extra support. The REAL special kids are just sweet. I drove up the other day and this one kid was all smiles waving at me and it was a nice way to start the day. I DO love special ed. I use to work in a nursing home for "retarded men and boys," too. I actually showered grown men sometimes....cleaned up their diarrhea, etc. I am not physically up to (nor desirous) to do such physical feats anymore, but do love the special ones of all levels. I also care for the under dogs of the world and zero in on the kids who are different or don't quite fit in. I like the goths here, and the musicians. I think some of them are the sweetest sometimes....or the ones who are searching. Maybe I see Mordred that way : ) (Don't take that as insulting Mordred...you're obviously grown up and beyond a student as I had suspected before if you teach). I suppose techincally being a medical assistant or working with special ed are both nurturing roles. Nursing would've paid better. Although I have 5 years of college technically, though, only have an associates that would apply to a degree so would have roughly 2.5 years to become certified. I went to a local jr. college in St. Louis (Meramec) for a semester and took general secretarial courses. Then went out to Southern UT and did get my Associate in Science. Then transferred to BYU, Provo, and it was too big for my taste and intimidating. I soon wouldn't be able to support myself (had been living off SSI from losing my dad) so instead of trying to get into a nursing program (and fearing not being able to...am not strong in math or chemistry) I chickened out and transferred to an easy Administrative Medical Assisting course at a business college who NOW can't find my transcripts. (I'm working on that). I also have military schools behind me....in Petroleum laboratory and medical. I made emotional decisions back then. I could've done any school available from my ASFAB tests, but opted to go to VA so I could see the ocean and end back up in my boyfriend's unit : ) I was all about the experiences rather than making sound decisions for my future. Then I had kids and THAT was my job. I home schooled them for 7 years. I have tons of curriculum I hang onto for some reason. Honestly, I'm a little scared to go back to school due to the pressures and need to also work...my carpal tunnel...and brain fog! But at the same time would love to learn again and be able to actually help kids and have a solid professional degree. When it comes down to it, my love is psychology. You could use that in Special Ed. Actually you'd be with kids more day in and out and have more influence with them than even a counselor. I saw that in action the other day at school. When I thought about what I wanted to do when I grew up, I wanted to be a psychiatrist! (Or psychologist). I opted for something I could easily get a job in and wasn't all that seriously career oriented. But thank you!!! (Sorry to unload...I've been needing to). I am good with these kids. I have seen that.... But I worry about getting older too. I would no matter what, still love to actually have a bachelors to show for all the school I did go to. But then there are the student loans!!! I'm thinking right now of updating my resume and see if I'm marketable with such a lapse in the medical field. I do have a strong resume as far as medical experience, but its dated. So far not having the greatest experience with the school year, but haven't worked in special ed much, either. Mostly you are dealing with attitudinal teen agers. Sometimes they're sweet, though...and make it worthwhile. Do you deal with attitude? I imagine England is more disciplined that the states. Georgia, too, doesn't rank so high in the educational fields. My grammar has gone down the tubes living here even!

Is it more conservative over there Linda Lou? Really its no different than when we were kids, but kind of shocking sometimes how experienced kids seem to be these days. I generally love the House medical soap...but its getting stupid with the constant sexual references. I think they're running out of material. I get the DVDs when they come out, but season 4 is a let down.

I was telling Erica the other day, (as if she didn't know) that I'm not the authoritative type. I'm a support system... I don't really LIKE being in charge, but when I have to be don't like having to assert authority being stern. Its not that way, really, with special kids, though. Obviously I'm still going round and round a bit. Thanks for listening : )