The Courier

Tag: education

  • The Day’s Adventure

    Today, I woke up early. For me. It was 8:30 AM. I knew today would be a big day. For, I am starting out on how to fund my studies. I first made it to UTA, by 9:30. I know this, because I paid for parking at 9:28, which lasted until 11:28 AM. Then, I went up to the Student Success Center in Ransom Hall. I have been there before. My old baby sitter, Eileen works there. I guess she runs the program. She is normally in her office. But when I went in, the students at the front told me, I would have to wait five minutes. I expected to have to wait. But, it didn’t take long for Eileen to show up.

    After Eileen finished her conversation, she came in. She recognized me! “Good sign” I thought. She asked how I was doing, and I said “Fine”. But then, I told her how I signed up for two classes, and that I might have to drop them. Due to unexpected expenses with my car. (Remember, the alternator went out). So, she told me about the “MavShop” for scholarships. She told me she would send me the link in an e-mail. Then, I told her, “I am about to go to the Veteran’s Assistance Center”, to check on the Hazlewood Act. She encouraged me, to come back to TRiO! I was relieved. If I stick with my classes, I definitely will.

    Anyways, Eileen was not kidding about sending me the link. She sent the e-mail as soon as I was headed towards the VAC. I appreciated her efforts, and decided to write to her, as soon as I could. (I prefer to write school e-mails from my laptop). Once I got to the VAC I explained my situation.

    I still have some of the GI Bill left. But I want to save it for an emergency, because its not a lot. So, they showed me where to go under “forms”, in order to fill out the application. Ok, I got that I realized. On the application form, it asks for a GI Bill Eligibility Letter/Exhaustion letter. Thats why I think I might be able to go ahead and use the Hazlewood Act.

    I got home, and began filling out the forms I needed. I also needed my DD-214, and then I called the VA. The VA sent me a copy of my GI Bill Eligibility letter, to my e-mail address. Another e-mail. Well, I got those two documents. Then, “Oh, wait”, I need to fill out the actual Hazlewood Act application, and then upload it to my computer somehow.

    So, I filled out the form. Then, I went to scan it on my Dad’s printer. But it turns out, that his particular model of printer doesn’t include scan. So, off to Office Depot I went. After waiting a few minutes, I finally made it to the front of the line, and got my document scanned, and e-mailed to me. After that I went an ate at Chick-Fil-A. Yum.

    So, after I ate, I went home. I sat down to finish the form I needed to fill out for my school for the Hazlewood Act. I uploaded all the documents I had, plus filled in my comments about still having some of the GI Bill, and as its not enough to finish school, saving it for an emergency. Then, I pressed “save” and “submit”, but I needed one more form. Its something that shows how much of the Hazlewood I have used. Well, I went to go get this missing form, and I couldn’t access the website. Not on my laptop, not on my phone. So, I looked up a phone number. I found a phone number and called it.

    After I called the phone number, they called me back. But I missed it. Yet, they left a message for me. In it they gave me a different phone number. I will share it here, incase you decide to use the Hazlewood Act: 1512-463-3168. So, I called that number, and got through. They asked me to send a screen shot of what was happening. So, I did. I had to send the e-mail three times because I had the wrong e-mail. I kept thinking it was Hazelwood@tvc.taxes.gov. But the e-mail address is actually hazlewood@tvc.texas.gov.

    Hannah was the person at the Texas Veteran’s Commission that helped me on the phone. She promptly e-mailed me back, to once she got my e-mail. I am grateful for her help. Who knows, maybe this thing will move forward in part because of her willingness to help. Still have not been able to access the site, but she assured me the IT people were on the case. So, here is another situation, where I just follow the next step, and trust God. Thank you, Hannah!

    After that, and some reading, I was hungry. But I was not yet sure what to eat. So, I decided to go see Mom. She and Joey were just lounging in their chairs when I went over. But I gave my Mom the narrative, that I just gave you.

    After stopping at my Mom’s I finally headed to go get some food. I decided to go to Grease Monkey, where I could get me a Student Burger and fries, as I now had my student ID again. Thanks to a couple of other people, whose names I don’t have.

    That is what a Student Burger looks like. Cheapest burger in town, too.

  • Dropping A Class

    You read that right. I am going to have to drop a class. I am enrolled for two classes, but I can currently only afford to pay for one. One class is Phil 2311 (Logic) which counts for Math- which I need. The other class is a “Russian Culture” class. It is obvious to you, which class I am going to have to drop. But we both know that the “Russian Culture” Class will be worth money after school. So- I am going to look for scholarships, and since I am in Texas I am going to see whether I am eligible for the Hazelwood Act, which covers the cost of the class.

    It seems like I might have to drop a class. But, at UTA I have two things: Student Support Center, and the Veterans Assistance Center. I am going to go to the SSC to ask about scholarships, and to try and get a new ID. Then, afterwards, I am going to the VAC, to ask about the Hazelwood Act. If they make me finish using the Post-9/11 GI Bill, I will have to take a full load. In that case, I will put in my notice with Ranger Guard, to make sure I pass all my classes. I don’t want to do that, but I want to make sure I can:

    1. Pay for my classes
    2. Pass my classes

    My GPA is garbage, right now. But I noticed UTA has scholarships for certain classes. What if “Russian Culture” turns out to be one of those classes? Also it appeared there might be scholarships for being a Junior. So, I will look for those kinds of scholarships. Its really interesting, how I have been blessed with unique relationships on campus, that MIGHT make taking both classes possible. If not- I will use the GI Bill.

    Anyways, my Dad was about to throw out a “Voices of the Martyrs” publication. I decided to look through it first. Lets see what Richard Wurmbrand has to say, about casting out demons. In the article Why Could We Not, on the last two pages, the founder of “VOM”, had this to say, about the disciples who could not cast out a certain demon. Found Mark 9: 28. According to Richard, Marx, Engels, and Trotsky were only able to point out, the sins of others, and never there own. He says this:

    Without confession and repentance, we will never succeed on the right path.

    I think, this means its time to confess our sins. But to whom do we confess our sins too? A Priest. How interesting, because I, am considering attending the Catholic Church, Paul de Vincent, just down the street. Maybe, they have a Priest who takes confessions. See, how VOM has prompted me to take action about my faith? I hope its the right action- at times I feel lost in my faith. So, this might be a good first step. Ever since I went down there, at Billy Graham, with Carol.

    VOM is a publication, which keeps track of persecution, and the persecuted church world wide. From China, even in Columbia, where it is said, some groups in that country are now persecuting Christians- and the Government does nothing about it. Isn’t Columbia supposed to be a Christian Country? But its listed right along with Nigeria, and the rest for its violence towards members of the Christian faith. Sad. The persecution is visibly spreading across the world. Wake up, dear reader! The enemy is at the gates!!

  • I Worked Today

    Its been almost a week since I last worked, and I was glad for the activity. Also my therapist called. I was grateful to speak to her. I appreciate having a therapist, have ever since I was a kid. I know some people don’t like the idea of admitting to having a therapist. This may partly be due to confidentiality. Either way- it is ok to have a therapist and if you have never had one, I encourage you to try one. It is like a massage for your mind, you know?

    At work, not much happened. As I said, I was just glad for the activity. The pay is nice too. I ended up ordering McDonald’s McNuggets to eat, for lunch. It tasted like victory! On top of this, I ended up forging coffee, till I got off work. I have to admit something else- I have issues sleeping. I slept hardly a wink before work.

    After work, I got a call. It was from H&R Block, notifying me that Marie, my Tax Advisor, had finished my alternative tax return. She figured the new balance would be below $3000. Nice! It beats $9000+. Only thing is, she needs my address for my old apartment, where I lived when I filed that errant tax return. So, on Saturday Marie is going to call me again, and I will give her that information.

    Veteran’s Readiness and Employment (VR&E)

    This is my third time. The first time, I had just moved up to Washington State. The VR&E coordinator, then, told me that at the time, I would need to refile for Chapter 31 in Washington State. Being a Disabled Veteran, I figured I would be a shoe-in. I applied in Washington State, and got rejected by Chapter 31 in that state. That curtailed my plans of becoming a “Dawg”. Well, that is ok. Jack said he would go with me, when I have my interview. I have had Chapter 31 described as being a second “GI Bill”, as you can go to school on it.

    I am hoping to get enrolled in VR&E because that will make it easier, financially, for me to finish my Bachelor’s Degree. I am almost done, really, as a Junior. I only have one semester left of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. So, we will see if I need to finish the GI Bill, or if I can save it and use Chapter 31. I am not boasting- rather, I am admitting, it sounds like this program is easy to get into, as a disabled veteran, but I am struggling. I may have to quit my job- but I don’t want to have to do that unless I am taking a full load of classes for school. Which would help me finish school.

    I know that school would help me. I applied for a job on http://www.usajobs.gov and got turned down. The only reason being, that I did not have a Bachelor’s Degree. I would be a GS-7 if I had already gotten that degree!!! Also, I noticed that having the education helps in real life too. Plus, Jack has his degree, and I want to have my degree too. Hopefully, this time around I get into Chapter 31 at the VA.

  • Enrolled!

    My SAP hold is gone. So, I went into the Department of History and Nancy Gandre helped me this time. She told me the SAP hold was lifted, and that I could enroll. I appreciated the fact that she did the enrollments for me. For now, I am going to try and just take two classes, as recommended by Nancy. Thank you, Nancy!

    PHIL 2311

    I tried taking this class before. But it was back when I was running around, trying to figure out how to get Disability at the VA. So, needless to say I didn’t do so well in that class. So, this will be my second time taking it. I think I still have the book somewhere. You might be wondering- why is a History major taking a low level Philosophy class? Well, at UTA, this particular class counts for math. When I complete it with a “C”, I will have my math requirements fulfilled. I have never met the Professor before.

    Russian Culture Class

    This is the class on Russian Culture, that I was telling you about. As I expected, it is taught by Dr. Palmer. I am excited to be enrolled in these two classes. At first I was going to take a full load, and quit my job. So that I can qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation. But, I am going to give it a shot, and see if I can work part time- Ranger Guard is a pretty good employer. So, maybe they will mind my schedule, and I will be able to continue working as well.

    So, instead of four classes, I will have two. I will pay for these classes myself- I don’t qualify for Federal loans right now because my GPA is garbage. But I am a Junior. So, that is something. I expect Grams did not think I would make it so far in school. Junior is pretty high- but its not high enough. I need to be a graduate for my plan to work.

    Both classes are lecture classes, I expect that the Russian Culture class will have a lot of course work. But, it will be all about Russia- a fascinating subject- the biggest conspiracy known to man. I have taken classes with Dr. Palmer before.

    After a stop at my Mom’s to talk, and drink coffee- I went to Ross – Dress for Less. It is next to Target, over in East Chase. I bought this sturdy looking backpack. It was just under $40. It has straps on the back, which will give it support. I am 41 years old, going to school. Again. I am more than a little bit nervous. But I know this is a step in the right direction. God will take care of me at school, just like He did up in Washington State. Well, thank you for reading my blog. Have a good day.